Best activity at primary school!

[RudolphusRitzema]

The pta of my kids school want to spend money on special days for the kids where an organisation may come in and run an activity. We've found someone to bring exotic animals in for example. Or the pta are willing to pay for materials so that the teachers can run a special activity.

What activities has your child's school run that they really enjoyed?

Or if you're a primary teacher and have seen or run an activity that you thought was great I would love to hear about it.

I would really appreciate your recommendations or ideas. Particularly ones that link to the national curriculum TIA

I am a teacher. Please, please do not organise an activity for me to do.

Children I have taught before have loved the bouncy castle. :)

Don't worry it's suggestions of things the teachers could do and it will be entirely up to them. We just want to provide them with a list of suggestions so that they don't have to think of them. Obviously if they have their own ideas that's great.

A performance of some kind would be my choice.

It’s hard to think of an activity that would be suitable for reception children and for years six. An infant school I know has just run a bike riding programme which was great but wouldn’t be any good for eleven year olds.

It wouldn't be a whole school activity.

So KS1 might get a visit from the exotic animals. KS2 might get a visit from a virtual reality company so that they can tour a ancient pyramid.

There are companies who bring a pop up planetarium - my friend’s school had a great one.

Please ask your teachers what they would like!

Strangers on the internet will have wonderful ideas, but can't know what topics your school does, what skills & specialisms your staff have, what's available in your locality, etc, etc.

Give your teachers an idea of how much money you can offer, and they'll be only too happy to think of ways to spend it.

We have a pantomime company come in and do a show then related drama activities in groups.

They had the pop up planetarium which they all loved.

World musicians have been very successful and engaging.

I'd love for ours to have a hands on science workshop or similar.

We had a magic school teach the kids basic tricks
Also has a book illustrator who showed the kids who to draw cartoon characters

I think it's better to give staff a budget and let them select an activity tbh. They might feel beholden to your suggestions even if they don't really like them.

We have already asked the staff but they didn't have many ideas probably because it was the end of term and they were exhausted. I'm hoping when term starts they may have more ideas. I'm a teacher and I know what it's like so please don't worry about the staff. I just want some suggestions to give them ideas. Even sitting down and thinking of ideas takes time. We want to give them some suggestions to help save them time.

I love the planetarium, magic tricks, cartoon drawing and science workshop. They all sound great thanks!

I agree with @DandelionAndBedrock we had a pop up planetarium visit our school when I was year 5 (1993!!!) and I still remember it now! It was ace

It's those sort of memories we're aiming for porkinmyteeth

Where abouts are you? Have you looked into forest school?

We've not had the planetarium at my school, but my kids have had it at theirs and loved it. So that's what I'd ask for!

My DC's school has 'healthy schools week' which seems to consist of fun sporty stuff for a week in July. They have bouncy castles, zorbing, a water slide, hovercrafts and loads of other stuff. IT'S AMAZING.

They also have various historical figures (actors, not ghosts!) come in to chat to the pupils.

Oh and DS recently had victorian day where they dressed up, the drama teacher took over as headteacher and they spent the day as if in a victorian school (without corporal punishment!).

Most popular from places I’ve taught:
Planetarium
Show - The Mimika Theatre Company are amazing
Illustrator/author visit

As a teacher, it’s nice when outside companies come in and then you can plan follow up activities.

Actually on the Victorian thing, I took my class to an old country house where they did a Victorian experience thing - baked, dressed up as Lord's and ladies, servants and a load more. Was very exciting!

I don’t know where in the country you are but these guys are great. They run loads of challenges, activities etc based on board games, but really unusual and different ones. I attended a workshop they did last summer holidays with my dc who were 5 and 8 at the time. There were also teens there. They tailored it perfectly! They are based in Huddersfield. I am not sure how far they travel. Imaginstion Gaming

Also, look into the Instutution of Civil Engineers, they have a series of engineering based workshops and activities that civil engineering graduates deliver, nationwide.
Institution of Civil Engineers.

Thanks for the ideas!

BikeRunSki am in South Yorkshire so that company looks great thank you. I'll also take a look at civil engineers.

Zorbing and hovercrafts sounds fab wyorkslass

I know the school has had authors visit but not an illustrator so will suggest that too. Pta regularly pay for shows but no idea who is putting them on so will look at that company PinkAvocado thank you.

RavenWings I remember a trip like that at primary school but I've been told that the funds we're offering can't be used for trips which is a shame.

Thanks again for your ideas!

I'm a teacher (KS1) and most recently we had a circus skills workshop and a theatre company who did a performance and a drama workshop with the children. Both ere excellent. Where are you roughly?

Ah ok. How about Bricks 4 Kids (or whatever it's called)? They do workshops using Lego. We had them in, they made motorised robots. The kids loved it - I think they do a range of workshops but you could check that out.

My DD's school have had a company come in to do a panto or play, and the junior years have had one activity (someone coming to the school to run it for the year) curriculum-related such as a roman experience day (pick any period of history here - viking, roman etc).

we've had a farm come with animals
an ice cream van (not sure what topic this was linked to - think it was still where food comes from)
we weren't that impressed with our planetarium
drama workshops

Oh, I'm so pleased you are a teacher. I winced when i first read your post!