How I Use ‘Theme Days’ to Keep Us All Playful
My Secret School Holiday Tactic
This week on Substack, I’ve been sharing all my favourite ideas for keeping kids busy, connected, & entertained this summer, from no prep garden games to indoor play & big days out.
Today’s post is about one of my own secret weapons: Theme Days.
They’re simple, flexible, & honestly a bit of a sanity saver when the novelty of the holidays wears off & my motivation (& patience) takes a dip.
I’ve done this before in a looser way, but this year I’m committing to it with a little more intention. Here’s the plan:
Monday to Friday, I’ll pick one activity from a theme category below — just to keep things feeling fresh & balanced.
My kids won’t even know there’s a theme (unless they ask). This isn’t a rigid schedule just a gentle nudge to help me stay creative & avoid the “what should we do today?” spiral.
The beauty of Theme Days is that they can slot into whatever else you’ve got going on. Got a toddler nap window or a random free afternoon? These are perfect fillers that still feel special.
THEME ONE: Theme Day (for cosy magic without leaving the house)
Bring the fun home with mini events that feel exciting but low effort:
✨ Pyjama Party
Dress code: PJs all day!
Popcorn + movie
Pillow fight or ‘midnight’ feast
Spa style face masks & nail painting
Make friendship bracelets or DIY quizzes
Breakfast for dinner
🪩 Disco Day
Dress code: Your best party gear
Glow sticks + living room dance floor
Tuck shop or mocktail bar
Create a playlist together
Dance offs or musical statues
🎪 Carnival Day
Make simple games: bean bag toss, guess the number of sweets
Face painting station
Balloon animals (or just regular ones we’re not magicians)
Popcorn + prizes
🧙 Magic & Mysteries Day
Set up a mini treasure hunt
Make your own “potions”
Watch a Harry Potter movie
Storytime with witches/wizards or mythical creatures
🍕 Restaurant Day
Kids design a menu and serve lunch
Take turns as chefs, servers, & customers
Decorate a table with candles or a theme
Pay with pretend money
THEME TWO: Life Skills & Learning Through Play
Sneaky learning that actually feels fun:
Practise telling the time with a clock puzzle or timer game
Learn your address/postcode through songs or games
Early maths: café roleplay with coins, measuring while baking
Sound out silly rhyming words together
Bike/scooter confidence
Chop fruit or help prep lunch with safe knives
Breathing techniques for big emotions
Read chapter books aloud in a cosy corner
Write postcards to family or friends
Emotions check in chart
15 minute tidy up races or fold the laundry challenges
Set up a mini “post office” or “library”
Learn to wrap a gift (then wrap random toys!)
Practice knots, bows, and tying shoelaces
Make a calendar for the week with drawings
Create a family recipe book with illustrated instructions
THEME THREE: Creative & Crafty Fun
For messy, mindful, hands on joy:
Decorate cookies or cupcakes
Make playdough people (add silly body part prompts!)
Junk modelling from recycling
Collage stories using magazines
Giant chalk murals
Decorate pillowcases, tote bags, or old tees
Seasonal crafts e.g. salt dough, nature crowns
Suncatchers or window art
Build a den and turn it into an art cave
DIY slime, rainbow rice or jelly monsters
Photography challenge: themed pics on (my) phone
Create characters and write a comic strip
Make and decorate paper hats or party crowns
Print with potatoes or sponges
Nature painting with sticks, leaves, and mud
Make puppets and put on a show
DIY stickers using labels or washi tape
Vision boards for the summer
THEME FOUR: Sensory & Exploratory Play
Full on sensory immersion that toddlers & older kids can both enjoy:
Water trays with scoops, cups, and boats
Toy ice excavation (freeze tiny dinos or LEGO)
Rainbow rice tubs with mini diggers or scoops
Scented foam in the bath or garden tray
Petal “perfume lab” station
Animal wash day (warm bubbly water + cloths)
Puddle play + wellies (yes, even in summer!)
Snack shop with play money & real packaging
DIY car wash for scooters or ride ons
Find everything purple scavenger hunt
Indoor sandpit with sieves + spoons
Make fizzy “potions” with baking soda and vinegar
Bonus Ideas:
Mystery box: put items in and guess with eyes closed
Tidy-up treasure hunt with a timer
Play “restaurant critic” with lunch textures + flavours
THEME FIVE: Chill & Connect
Because not every day needs to be loud:
Set up a reading nook with snacks
Share a drawing prompt (e.g. “draw the happiest thing you can think of”)
Play safe online learning games or explore kid friendly apps
Follow a drawing tutorial on YouTube
Create a simple meditation or yoga flow together
Spa day: foot soak, nail painting, calm music
Extra bubbly bath with toys
Indoor picnic lunch
Board game or card game rotation
Tell stories with a flashlight at bedtime
Car bingo or “would you rather?” on a walk
Hot chocolate bar with toppings
Write gratitude lists together
Dream map: what would your dream day look like?
“Draw your mood” sessions
Cloud or star gazing with quiet music
Before You Begin: Supplies to Have On Hand
Having a few of these to hand can really open up your options:
Glue sticks & scissors
Card, paper, and cardboard
Food colouring & glitter
Stickers + washi tape
Bath foam or bubble bath
Playdough or ingredients to make your own
Window or chalk pens
Spare notebooks or journals
Beads & string
Dried flowers or essential oils
Face cloths and plastic trays
💭 Last Thing!
There’s no such thing as a perfectly planned summer & no one needs that pressure. But a little bit of rhythm, a few themed go to ideas, and the mindset of "connection over perfection" can make a huge difference.
Let this list live on your fridge or in your phone notes.
Use it to break up the day, spark some joy, or reset the energy when things get wobbly.
You don’t need big outings or hours of prep your presence and a sprinkle of intention is more than enough.
I’d love to know if you try any of these or if you’ve got a fun theme day we should add to the list!
Until next time…
Stay Connected!
Lou
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