Explore 10 engaging vacation care incursion ideas for OSHC educators. From science shows to craft workshops, ensure fun and learning!
Vacation care incursion ideas for OSHC educators
Here are 10 ready-to-run vacation care incursion ideas that cover the full range of learning domains: themed craft workshop, mobile science show, reptile encounter, mini-sports carnival, magician or character visit, cooking demonstration, drama and music workshop, robotics or coding session, Indigenous cultural programme, and a community emergency services visit. Before booking any of them, complete a written risk assessment that addresses transport, supervision ratios, water hazards and emergency procedures under Regulations 101 and 102 of the Education and Care National Regulations, and collect signed family authorisations. Everything else, from provider vetting to day-of logistics, flows from those two steps.
- Themed craft workshop (ages 5-12, low cost)
- Mobile science show (ages 6-12, moderate cost)
- Reptile or wildlife encounter (ages 5-12, moderate cost)
- Mini-sports carnival (all ages, low cost)
- Magician or character visit (ages 5-10, moderate cost)
- Cooking demonstration or no-heat food activity (ages 7-12, low cost)
- Drama and music workshop (ages 5-12, low cost)
- Robotics or coding session (ages 8-12, moderate cost)
- Indigenous cultural programme (all ages, low-moderate cost)
- Community emergency services visit (all ages, free-low cost)
Pro Tip: Aim to run paid incursions occasionally during vacation care and fill remaining days with in-house, child-led activities. This approach helps manage the budget, protects unstructured play time, and keeps children genuinely excited when a provider does arrive.
Key takeaways
Completing a regulation-aligned risk assessment and securing family authorisations before booking is the single step that makes any vacation care incursion safe, compliant, and worth the investment.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Start with risk assessment | Address Reg. 101/102 elements (transport, water hazards, ratios, first aid) before confirming any booking. |
| Rotate paid and free incursions | Aim for one paid incursion per week; fill other days with low-cost in-house activities to protect child-led play time. |
| Brief providers in writing | Confirm WWCC, insurance, content suitability, and any inclusion adaptations before the session date. |
| Map incursions to MTOP | Document observations and child responses after each session to build a quality-assessment evidence trail. |
| Dreamscape for Melbourne groups | Dreamscape offers vetted character visits and structured entertainment for OSHC groups, with WWCCs held across the entertainer team. |
Table of Contents
- What are the best creative and hands-on vacation care incursions?
- Science, STEM and maker incursions that work for mixed ages
- Outdoor, wildlife and nature incursions worth booking
- Physical activity and sports incursions that build teamwork
- Performing arts, character visits and themed entertainment
- Community and cultural incursions that build connection
- How to plan, risk-assess and book an incursion for Australian OSHC
- Sample vacation care day plan and activity rotation
- How do you make incursions inclusive for children with additional needs?
- Why high-quality incursions support My Time, Our Place outcomes
- Dreamscape Kids Entertainment for vacation care and OSHC
- What actually matters when you’re planning vacation care incursions
- Dreamscape makes Melbourne vacation care bookings straightforward
- Useful Australian sources and provider-check links
- FAQ
What are the best creative and hands-on vacation care incursions?
Hands-on creative incursions are the easiest to run on a tight budget and the quickest to adapt for mixed-age groups. A themed craft workshop, timed to a school holiday theme or Book Week, needs little more than a community artist, basic supplies, and a clear table setup. Drama games and music workshops work well for ages 5-12 and require no specialist equipment; a visiting drama facilitator can run 45-60 minutes of structured improvisation that doubles as social-skills practice.
Cooking demonstrations deserve a mention here because they generate genuine excitement. A no-heat activity, think fruit skewers, sushi rolls, or decorated biscuits, sidesteps the gas and open-flame risks entirely. Always collect allergy information on the permission form before the session, keep a printed copy on the day, and assign one staff member to manage hygiene stations. For mess-heavy craft sessions, cover tables with butcher’s paper and have a designated clean-up crew of older children who usually enjoy the responsibility.
Science, STEM and maker incursions that work for mixed ages
Mobile science shows are the standout STEM option for vacation care because the provider brings everything, sets up in your hall or undercover area, and packs down without leaving a mess. For groups spanning ages 6-12, ask providers to structure the show in two tiers: a visual demonstration for younger children and a hands-on experiment component for older ones.
Robotics demos and coding-on-tablets workshops scale well when you group children by skill level rather than age. A child who has never touched Scratch will disengage quickly if placed alongside a confident coder, so a brief pre-session survey helps. Low-cost alternatives to premium STEM providers include paper-circuit kits (copper tape, LED lights, coin batteries) and cardboard solar-oven builds, both of which cost under $5 per child in materials. Check batteries and any chemical kits against your service’s hazardous-materials policy before the day.
Outdoor, wildlife and nature incursions worth booking
Reptile encounters and mobile zoo visits consistently rank among the most memorable incursion activities for kids. A licensed wildlife handler brings animals directly to your site, which removes transport risk entirely and keeps the activity manageable for large groups.
For nature-based options that cost less, consider:
- A birdwatching or scavenger hunt session led by a local ranger or naturalist
- A mini-farm visit if your service is within reasonable distance of a peri-urban farm
- A guided bush or garden walk with a First Nations educator (covered further in Section 7)
Weather planning is non-negotiable for outdoor sessions. Build a wet-weather alternative into every outdoor incursion plan, identify shaded rest areas and water stations, and note any water hazards (ponds, creeks, pools) on the risk assessment. Confirm that the provider holds current public liability insurance before signing any booking agreement, and check that the venue or visiting site is accessible for children with mobility needs.
Physical activity and sports incursions that build teamwork
A mini-sports carnival run by an external sports coordinator is one of the highest-energy options in any holiday programme, and it works for groups of 15-60 children with the right staffing. Dance and movement workshops, martial-arts introductory sessions, and kids’ yoga and mindfulness classes all sit at the lower-cost end and need only a cleared indoor or outdoor space.
Request proof of first-aid certification and any relevant coaching accreditation (e.g., a Working With Children Check plus a sport-specific governing-body credential) from every physical activity provider. Supervision ratios during high-energy activities should reflect your service’s risk assessment, not just the regulatory minimum. For large groups, station one staff member at each activity zone rather than clustering all educators at the perimeter.
Performing arts, character visits and themed entertainment
A well-briefed performer transforms a standard vacation-care afternoon into something children talk about for weeks. Magicians, interactive puppet shows, and themed character visits (princesses, superheroes, Book Week characters) work best for ages 5-10 in sessions of 45-60 minutes. Mini-musicals or visiting dance troupes suit slightly older groups and can run up to 90 minutes before attention drifts.
Before confirming any performer, send a short written brief covering: expected audience size and age range, session duration, noise-level expectations, whether a quiet-participation option is needed for children with sensory sensitivities, and the venue layout. Then confirm the following in writing:
- Current Working With Children Check (WWCC)
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Content suitability for the age group
- Whether the performer can adapt material for children with additional needs
The benefits of professional entertainers go beyond novelty: structured interactive sessions maintain group engagement and reduce the behavioural friction that often builds in long-day settings.
Community and cultural incursions that build connection
Visits from local emergency services (fire brigade, SES, police community liaison) are free, highly engaging, and require minimal logistics beyond a confirmed date and a parent communication note. Indigenous cultural programmes, delivered by a verified First Nations organisation or educator, offer some of the richest learning available in an OSHC setting and align directly with My Time, Our Place (MTOP) outcomes around identity and community.
When booking First Nations programmes, verify the provider’s credentials and cultural safety approach directly with the organisation. Do not assume a general “cultural activity” provider has the appropriate community connections or authorisation to deliver this content. Library storytime and book-buddy sessions are another low-cost option that pairs well with Book Week character visits and builds early literacy without feeling like school.
When any external community member attends your service, notify families in advance, explain the purpose of the visit, and confirm the visitor holds a current WWCC.
How to plan, risk-assess and book an incursion for Australian OSHC
Early Learning Victoria’s guidance requires a named coordinator to complete the risk assessment and prepare all documentation before any incursion proceeds. Follow these steps in order:
- Define the learning outcome and budget. Match the incursion to a MTOP domain and confirm the cost fits the service’s incursion budget line.
- Vet the provider. Request WWCC, public liability insurance, an activity outline, and references. Use a pre-booking checklist to cover every credential.
- Complete the risk assessment aligned to Regulations 101 and 102, addressing:
- Transport method and route (if applicable)
- Water hazards on or near the venue
- Educator-to-child supervision ratios
- First-aid officer availability and location of kit
- Medication management plans for children with health needs
- Emergency evacuation procedure
- Draft and distribute the family authorisation form. Required fields: date and activity description, transport method, medical needs and emergency contacts, participation fee (if any), and parent/guardian signature.
- Confirm logistics with the provider at least one week out: arrival time, space requirements, equipment, and a wet-weather contingency.
- Day-of procedures: complete an attendance check, brief all staff on roles, confirm the first-aid kit and medication plans are accessible, and conduct a final site check before the provider arrives.
The Highgate OSHC Excursion and Incursion Policy recommends coordinators prepare a backpack of essentials including emergency contacts, the first-aid kit, and all current medication plans for any session involving a visiting provider.
Sample vacation care day plan and activity rotation
Adapt these timetables to your group size and the specific incursion type. The Aussie Childcare Network’s vacation care programme templates provide a useful base for recording dates, resources, and notes alongside each activity slot.
| Time | Full-day plan | Half-day plan |
|---|---|---|
| - | Arrival, free play, breakfast | Arrival, free play |
| - | Morning group meeting, programme overview | Morning group meeting |
| - | Incursion (main session) | Incursion (main session) |
| - | Morning tea, debrief circle | Morning tea, debrief |
| - | Rotation 1: child-led activity zones | Free play / pick-up begins |
| - | Lunch | - |
| - | Rotation 2: craft or STEM follow-up | - |
| - | Outdoor free play | - |
| - | Quiet activities, afternoon tea, pick-up | - |
Materials checklist for a visiting performer or workshop: Attendance roll and emergency contacts, first-aid kit, printed permission forms, provider’s insurance certificate, activity-specific supplies (confirmed with provider), spare craft materials, wet-weather indoor backup plan, and a camera or tablet for documentation.
For mixed-age rotation during a single incursion, split children into two groups: one engages with the provider while the other rotates through two supervised activity zones. Swap at the halfway point.
How do you make incursions inclusive for children with additional needs?
Research on equitable OSHC access consistently shows that children from priority groups benefit most from well-planned incursions when inclusion supports are built in from the start, not added as an afterthought.
Practical adaptations to build in before the day:
- Provide a visual schedule of the incursion so children who rely on predictable routines know what to expect
- Designate a quiet zone away from the main activity for sensory breaks
- Brief the provider on any children who may need a modified participation option
- Assign a named staff member to each child with a behaviour support plan during the activity
Staff briefing points for the day:
- Confirm who holds each child’s medical plan and where it is stored
- Agree on de-escalation steps before the session starts (not during an incident)
- Identify the signal staff will use if a child needs to exit the activity quietly
If your service supports children with complex needs, an Inclusion Professional visit, funded through local inclusion programmes, can raise your service’s quality rating and help you plan more confidently for future holiday programmes.
Why high-quality incursions support My Time, Our Place outcomes
OSHC programmes that prioritise social and emotional skills through well-planned incursions support children’s wellbeing and long-term development in ways that extend well beyond the school holiday period. MTOP’s five learning outcomes map directly onto the types of incursions covered in this article.
| MTOP outcome | Relevant incursion types | What to document |
|---|---|---|
| Identity (Outcome 1) | Cultural programmes, character visits, drama | Child’s self-expression, role choices, peer interactions |
| Community (Outcome 2) | Emergency services visits, library sessions | Questions asked, connections made to local community |
| Wellbeing (Outcome 3) | Sports carnival, yoga, nature walks | Physical engagement, emotional regulation observed |
| Learning (Outcome 4) | STEM shows, coding, cooking | Problem-solving attempts, curiosity, new vocabulary |
| Communication (Outcome 5) | Music, drama, puppet shows | Storytelling, collaboration, creative expression |
After each incursion, record brief observations (what children said and did), note any follow-up activities children initiated, and file the documentation with the signed permission forms and provider insurance certificate. This creates an evidence trail for quality assessment and gives you a ready reference when planning the next programme.
Dreamscape Kids Entertainment for vacation care and OSHC
Melbourne coordinators looking for a vetted performing-arts incursion provider will find Dreamscape a straightforward option. Dreamscape has delivered themed character visits and structured entertainment for schools for over 25 years, with a roster covering princesses, superheroes, magicians, face painters, balloon artists, and K-Pop characters. Sessions are structured for groups and can be tailored for mixed-age vacation-care cohorts.
Before confirming any booking, request the following documents from Dreamscape (or any provider):
- Current Working With Children Check for every attending entertainer
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Written activity outline confirming content suitability and duration
- Confirmation of any adaptations available for children with additional needs
Dreamscape holds WWCCs across its entertainer team and carries over 1,900 five-star reviews from Melbourne families and event coordinators. Contact them directly to discuss your group size, theme preferences, and any educator brief requirements before locking in a date.
What actually matters when you’re planning vacation care incursions
The planning frameworks in this article are genuinely useful, but there is one thing most coordinator guides understate: the biggest risk in vacation care incursions is not a regulatory gap. It is over-programming.
Services that book an incursion every single day of a two-week holiday programme often find children disengaged by day four. The novelty wears off fast when there is no contrast. The services that get the best outcomes, measured by child engagement and staff sanity, tend to treat incursions as punctuation rather than the whole sentence. One or two well-chosen, well-briefed providers per week, surrounded by genuine free play and child-initiated activity, consistently outperform a packed calendar of back-to-back experiences.
Budget constraints usually enforce this naturally, which is one case where a tight budget is actually doing you a favour. When you do spend on a provider, spend on quality: a performer who holds a current WWCC, carries their own insurance, and can adapt their session for a child having a hard day is worth considerably more than a cheaper option who cannot.
Dreamscape makes Melbourne vacation care bookings straightforward
For Melbourne OSHC coordinators who want a performing-arts incursion without the credential-chasing, Dreamscape delivers themed character visits and structured entertainment directly to your venue. With more than 25 years running school events and corporate family days, the team understands group dynamics, mixed-age cohorts, and the documentation coordinators need before a booking is confirmed.
Review packages and pricing to find an option that fits your group size and budget, then contact Dreamscape to request the written activity outline, WWCC documentation, and insurance certificate your risk assessment requires. The team can tailor session length and content for your specific cohort, and they supply an educator brief on request.
Useful Australian sources and provider-check links
Key regulation and sector resources for planning safe, compliant incursions:
- A guide to OHSC - For NSW school Principals
- Excursion and Incursion Policy MROSHC
- Excursion and Incursion Policy (Highgate OSHC)
- Excursions, incursions and regular outings policy and procedures (Early Learning Victoria)
- Excursion Incursion Extra Curricular Activities Policy (Croydon HPS)
- More than ‘just convenient care’: what the research tells us about equitable access to outside school hours care
- Vacation Care Program - Curriculum (Aussie Childcare Network)
- Incursion, excursion and outings procedure (Catholic Early Ed Care QLD)
Documents to attach to service records after each incursion: completed risk assessment, signed family authorisation forms, provider’s current insurance certificate, and WWCC copies for all attending staff and visitors.
This article provides general information for educational planning purposes. Confirm current regulatory requirements with your state or territory education authority and seek advice from a qualified compliance professional where needed.
FAQ
What regulations apply to incursions in Australian OSHC services?
Incursions in Australian OSHC services are governed by the Education and Care National Regulations, specifically Regulations 101 and 102, which require a written risk assessment covering supervision ratios, transport, water hazards, first aid, and emergency procedures before any incursion proceeds.
How often should vacation care services run paid incursions?
Most services aim for one paid incursion per week during vacation care, filling remaining days with low-cost or child-led activities to balance budget and preserve unstructured play time.
What documents should I request from an incursion provider?
Request a current Working With Children Check for every attending staff member, a public liability insurance certificate, a written activity outline confirming content suitability, and confirmation of any adaptations available for children with additional needs.
Can Dreamscape run incursions for OSHC and vacation care groups?
Yes. Dreamscape offers themed character visits and structured entertainment sessions tailored for school groups and OSHC cohorts in Melbourne, with WWCCs held across the entertainer team and the ability to provide an educator brief on request.
How do incursions align with My Time, Our Place (MTOP)?
Incursions support all five MTOP learning outcomes: identity, community, wellbeing, learning, and communication. Document child observations and responses after each session to build an evidence trail for quality assessment and future programme planning.
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