Holiday Programme: Survivor

Theme: Survivor – Teamwork, Fun & Friendly Competition

Today is our Survivor Challenge Day, where children will be split into three teams and work together through a series of fun, age-appropriate challenges to earn points for their team. Plesae read through and have all activities setup before getting the kids ready.

This is a non-elimination Survivor day. The focus is on:

• Teamwork and cooperation

• Encouragement and positive behaviour

• Giving everything a go

• Having fun together

Many of our children are aged 5–7, so challenges are designed to be achievable for younger children, with older children encouraged to support and include their teammates.

Staff role today

• Be a team leader and encourager

• Keep instructions simple and clear

• Focus on effort and attitude over winning

• Award points for teamwork, fair play, and encouragement (not just speed)

At the end of the day, we’ll celebrate all teams, with one crowned Survivor Champions, and additional awards recognising teamwork and positivity.

Let’s bring the energy, keep it fun, and make sure every child leaves feeling proud of their team and themselves

Survivor Block 1

• Split children into 3 team (Mix of older and younger children in each group)

  • Give each group a blank fabric flag, a set of Bandana's, Face paint, brushes and some pens

  • The groups have 30 minutes to:

    • Come up with a team name

    • Come up with a team chant

    • give everyone a team bandana and tie it to their body how they wish

    • Create a team flag on the fabric

    • put "war paint" stripes on their cheeks (this is to be supervised)

• Once done, check each team is ready to go, and get them to share their team name and team chant -team spirit to be encouraged and celebrated today! Then get a team photo!

Now the teams are set - staff are only to refer to the teams by their team names. Children will now be given a rotation of 3x activities to complete in a rotation of about 20 minutes per activity.

Rotation 1

Activity 1:

Obstacle Island

Set up an obstacle course for the children to practice though the 20 minutes think -

• Crawl under table

• Weave cones

• Jump over rope

In the last 5 minutes, the entire team must complete the course in relay style - one player at a time. This is timed to find the quickest team.

Activity 2:

Build a Shelter

Using chairs, sheets, and clips:

• Build a “camp shelter”

• Must fit the whole team

• Points for decorations & structure in a "storm"

Activity 3:

Cornhole Toss

Teams have 10 minutes to practice corn hole toss, then in the last 5 minutes, a staff member sets a 5 minute times, the team must take turns throwing the beanbags into the cornhole, 2 points if it goes in , 1 point for landing on the board. Team with the most points at the end wins.

Break - water / Lunch break

Rotation 2

After the break, get the kids back into their teams and practice chants to get them excited and back into the games. Rotation 2 is similar to rotation 1 - aprox 20 minutes on a rotation

Activity 1:

Water Transport Challenge (outside)

Carry water using:

• Sponges

• Cups with holes to fill a bucket, a marked line, timed to see which team completed it the fastest.

Activity 2:

Survivor Scavenger Dash

Teams stay together - activity is timed to see who completes it fasteset. Give one item then when they give you that, you give them the next item to find.

• One item at a time

• Bring items back to the team base

• No running indoors

• Points for teamwork and following rules

  • Something green

  • Something round

  • Something soft

  • Something that makes noise

  • Something smaller than your hand

  • Something bigger than your shoe

  • Something you can build with

  • Something wooden

  • Something blue

  • Something you can stack

  • Something that rolls

  • Something lightweight

  • Something with letters or numbers on it

  • Something that belongs in the art area

  • Something you would take on a camping trip

  • Something shiny

  • Something you can wear

  • Something that floats (or pretend floats)

  • Something bendy or flexible

  • Something that makes you think of Survivor / adventure

Activity 3:

Human Knot

1. Form a circleHave the team stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder.

2. Reach and grab handsEveryone reaches into the middle and grabs two different hands (not the person next to them, and not both hands from the same person).

3. Check the knotMake sure everyone is holding two hands and the group is safely connected.

4. Untangle the knotWithout letting go of hands, the team works together to untangle themselves into a circle (or a straight line).

5. Communicate and move slowlyChildren talk to each other, step over or under arms, and help teammates through.

6. Finish together The challenge is complete once the group is untangled.

Other Information

• No one is allowed to let go unless a staff member gives permission.

• Staff may help guide younger children by suggesting movements.

• Encourage calm voices, teamwork, and patience.

• If the knot becomes too tricky, staff can “reset” one hand hold.

• Activity is timed to see who completes it fastest.

Survivor Celebration Ceremony

1. Gather the teams - Have teams sit together with their flag in front of them

2. Welcome everyone, and recap the day.

3. Acknowledge all teams. One at a time, name each team and invite them to stand or cheer.

   • Highlight something positive you noticed about each team (teamwork, kindness, effort).

4. Announce special awards: Present fun awards such as:

   • Best Teamwork

   • Best Chant

   • Best Encouragement

   • Most Creative Team

5. Announce Survivor Champions. Build excitement, then announce the winning team.

   • Encourage clapping and cheering from all teams.

   • Emphasise that points were close and everyone did well.

6. Group celebrationInvite all children to stand, cheer and celebrate together.