How were your family holidays when you were growing up? Ours were long car trips to attend Christian conferences. Not your normal family taking a normal vacay!  But after hours of sitting in meeting rooms, we’d squeeze in a few touristy adventures—visiting the Big Pineapple, wandering through Sea World, and other exciting outings for kids living on a country property five miles outside a tiny town.

Here in Australia, Term 3 ends this Friday, and families may take time to enjoy a spring holiday. This will affect your Children’s Church—not only children’s attendance, but your wonderful volunteers’ attendance, too.

So what can you do?

1. Plan for Smaller Numbers—On Purpose

Instead of worrying about fluctuating attendance, design a flexible program that works beautifully with 3 kids or 30.

• Choose activities that scale easily (stations, rotations, and open‑ended crafts).
• Prepare fewer materials but have “stretch options” ready if more children arrive.

2. Create a “Holiday‑Mode” Teaching Plan

Run a lighter, joy‑filled session.

• Use one big object lesson instead of multiple segments.
• Swap out complex crafts for simple activities.
• Choose stories with high engagement—parables, miracles, or anything with drama potential.

3. Build a Volunteer Roster Buffer

Holiday weekends often mean last‑minute cancellations.

• Invite two “floaters” who can step in if needed.
• Ask a couple of teens or junior leaders to be on standby.
• Keep a simple emergency lesson plan ready (story, games and craft).

4. Use Multi‑Age Activities

With families away, age groups may blend.

• Choose games that work for mixed ages (relay races, treasure hunts, drama challenges).
• Offer tiered craft options—same theme, different difficulty.
• Let older kids help younger ones; it builds leadership and connection.

5. Lean into Drama and Storytelling

When numbers are unpredictable, drama is your best friend.

• Run a “kids become the characters” Bible story.
• Use props from your cupboard—scarves, hats, cardboard shields.
• Invite volunteers who love storytelling to shine.

6. Prepare a “Holiday Box”

A single tub that saves the day. Fill it with:

• quick‑prep crafts
• simple games (balloons, beanbags, skipping ropes)
• a printed story script
• colouring sheets
• Memory verse cards.

This becomes your grab‑and‑go backup plan.

7. Communicate Early and Kindly With Volunteers

Holiday stress drops dramatically when volunteers know what’s coming.

• Send a warm message thanking them for their service.
• Let them know the plan is intentionally simple.
• Encourage them to take a break if needed with no guilt attached.

8. Invite Families to Participate

If parents are already in holiday mode, include them.

• Invite parents to join a craft table.
• Or run sports activities.

9. Celebrate the Season

Spring in Australia is full of colour, and warmth so use it.

• Nature‑themed crafts
• Outdoor games
• A “God made spring!” mini‑lesson. This keeps the atmosphere fresh even with smaller groups.

10. Keep Your Expectations Light and Your Heart Steady

Children remember warmth, fun, and connection far more than flawless programming.

Free Super Sunday Lessons to Download!

Super Sundays can be tailor-made to fit your holiday program.  You’ll find a lot of themed lessons to spark ideas you can easily adapt and adopt to suit whatever numbers you are working with.  Here are a few of the favourites!

Lego Day: The Lost Coin (Beach + Lego theme) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Lego-Day-1.pdf

Boomerang: Creation (God’s Word does not return void) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Boomerang-Gods-Word-Does-Not-Return-Void.pdf

Fiesta: The Prodigal Son (Mexican theme) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Fiesta.pdf

Dino Day (Creation) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Dino-Day.pdf

God is the Potter (Clay Day) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/God-is-the-Potter.pdf

Jungle Adventure (Jungle Doctor) https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Jungle-Adventure-Morning.pdf

Throw It To Me (Cast Your Care) Ball Games https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Throw-It-To-Me.pdf

The Missing Piece (The Rich Young Ruler) Jigsaw Day https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/super-sundays/