Providing school holiday activities for kids is a great way for family venues to:
- Increase foot traffic to their venue
- Reconfirm their ‘family venue’ brand with the target market.
Offering a range of free activities will provide parents with a way to keep the kids occupied during the day, afternoon and evening. Think about what will also entertain parents during the period, who will be the ones spending money in your venue through F&B.
The key to success is to be well planned, to ensure you are using the marketing channels available to you to engage with the target market well in advance.
Below is a list of suggested activity that should be considered. Please note that it would be best to provide a range of activities across a schedule as opposed to the same activities every day. This will encourage families to come back for repeat visits.
Once you have a clear idea on what activities you wish to run, please engage with local suppliers or kids guides to ensure you have a clear understanding that there is a supplier in your area, and that costs of the activity are reasonable. Also be thinking about what age group the activities target, and are these in line with who you are targeting. Once these enquiries have taken place, please submit your Promo Proposal. |
Below is a list of suggested activity. To view details and costs associated with the activity, please click on the links under the activity heading.
PLASTER PAINTING:
DETAILS: Plaster painting is a great option for ages 2 and up, which keeps kids busy for up to an hour, and at the end of it, they get to take their ‘masterpieces’ home. Children select a plaster mould of their choice from a selection you may have available, then they are able to paint it.
 Click here to show more information | Hide
 You may wish to either use a professional company to run a group booking and have the activity available for a set time. If you decide to go with this option, consider making bookings essential.
You may alternatively wish to run this in house for a whole day/s, and utilise a staff member to host and monitor this activity.
Kits are available from http://plasterpainting.com/party-in-a-box/ with all equipment as shown in the image.
You may wish to consider charging for this activity, or having it complimentary with a main meal purchase etc.
Also consider teaming this activity up with a F&B drive for Mums whilst the kids are partaking in this activity.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
In-house
- Party in a box kit
- Staff member to run the activity
- Plastic drop sheets & table covers
- Low children- size trestle tables & chairs
- An outdoor space where the plaster moulds can be spray glazed
Outsourcing
- You will need to confirm with the company what they will provide and what you will need to arrange, with regard to furniture, equipment and supervision.
COSTS
Costs will vary depending on your suppliers and whether you will run this activity or whether you will use a professional host. |
LEGO WORKSHOP:
DETAILS: http://littlebuilders.com.au/school-holiday-workshop-rentals/ provides a lego workshop program that can be sent to your venue. It is a great way to encourage families to visit your venue.
Click here to show more information | Hide
- You will need a space big enough to hold at least 20 children.
- A staff member to run the activity which can run for about 2 hours at a time.
COSTS
Prices start from $260 per day for the hire. Plus postage of items to and from your venue. Visit the website above for more information, and have a talk to your area manager if you feel like this is something you might like to host at your venue during the school holiday period. |
WALKABOUT REPTILE SHOW:
DETAILS: Consider arranging a reptile show as part of your school holiday schedule. This is something that both children and parents can enjoy, being both educational & entertaining.
Click here to show more information | Hide
www.walkaboutreptiles.com.au offer an affordable show to the Sydney region.
Walkabout Reptiles shows are performed by brothers Steve and/or Matt Boys. We provide a show that is designed to be fun but educational, suitable for little kids and big kids alike. A standard show runs for approximately one-hour featuring live (non-venomous) snakes, lizards, frog, turtle and a young crocodile as well as fossils, a crocodile egg and a croc skull. The guys will also perform some of their best-loved sing-alongsongs on guitar (this can be omitted depending on the age group). The children will be entertained while they learn a thing or two about our amazing animals, their environment and the importance of conservation. They will be able to touch the animals throughout the show and will also learn about personal safety and hygiene.
www.austwildlife.com.au may be suitable for regional venues on the central coast.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
An area of about 6 x 3m should be allowed for children to view each show. Children are organised in a semi-circle with the presenter at the front to allowing full view and access to the animals for all children. The show needs to be located away from high noise areas e.g. generators. If outdoors, shade is required for the performers and animals as well as for the audience. Nearby power may be needed if the group is large enough to warrant the use of our PA system.
COSTS
$440 for a standard show |
FACE PAINTING:
DETAILS: Hire a professional face painter for the day to increase foot traffic to the venue.
Click here to show more information | Hide
COSTS
Should be no more than $200 for the face painter. |
BEAD-MAKING / JEWELLERY MAKING WORKSHOP:
DETAILS: Consider contacting your local bead shop and see if they offer jewellery making classes for children.
Click here to show more information | Hide
If you wish to offer this activity as part of your school holidays programme, you should consider making this bookings essential, and depending on the cost of the activity, you may wish to charge a nominal fee for participation, to be paid upon booking.
Keep in mind that this activity would appeal more so to girls than boys.
COSTS
Cost of a professional company to run the workshop and also provide all equipment & supplies. |
KIDS EAT FREE:
DETAILS: Consider having some weekdays during the school holidays where kids can eat free. IE, order from the kids menu at no charge.
Click here to show more information | Hide
Days outside of weekends to increase foot traffic to your venue
WHAT YOU WILL NEED & ASSOCIATED COSTS
No costs to venue – simply ring meals up as food promo. |
FREE BBQ:
DETAILS: For venues that do not have a bistro, perhaps offering a free BBQ will entice families into your venue
Click here to show more information | Hide
Spend should be minimal on this IE $50-100 for food items. |
COMPETITIONS:
DETAILS: Consider a colouring in competition for kids. Parents will be happy to know that their child is busy colouring in while they enjoy a nice meal and a drink.
Click here to show more information | Hide
Competition should run from start of bistro opening hours and finish when the bistro closes (Lunch and dinner separate competitions) to make it fair for families who will come in at any stage.
Consider:
Prizes could be an ice cream, bag of lilies or a plush toy.
COSTS:
Should be no more than $20 for prizes. |
|
