What better way to spend a Friday afternoon than by indulging in a bout of play? We’ve sourced 29 activity ideas that are sure to induce relaxation, a spirit of fun competition, and overall enjoyment. We’ve got board games and hunts galore, crafts, karaoke, outdoor play, and more! So, buckle up and get ready for some wildly fun Friday afternoon activities that are sure to be loved by all!
1. Games Afternoon
This is the perfect way to foster new friendships and ignite old ones! Allow students to bring in their favorite board or card games for an afternoon of friendly competition. Learners can play in pairs or larger groups of up to 6 people.
2. Dance Party
Clear out the desks and chairs and let your students dance and let off some steam after the long week! Each learner can be given a chance to pick out their favorite song every Friday.
3. STEM Challenge
STEM challenges are easy to organize with assorted recyclable materials. Assign students a challenge such as building a tower out of paper or designing a catapult. Prompt them to work in groups to solve the challenge.
4. Scavenger Hunt
Students will love having the opportunity to explore their classroom! Create a scavenger hunt around the school or classroom with clues leading to a prize. The first team to complete the series of clues, wins!
5. Craft Day
Provide supplies for students to make fun and creative crafts such as friendship bracelets or origami. Can’t choose between which crafts you’d like to organize? Why not create a few crafts stations; each of which focuses on a different creation!
6. Movie Day
Vote on a movie to watch as a class and provide snacks for a cozy movie afternoon. Ask each child to bring their favorite snack to share with their fellow peers.
7. Talent Show
Host a talent show where students can showcase their talents! Whether it be singing, dancing, or performing magic tricks, anything and everything is encouraged!
Learn More: We Are Teachers
8. Book Club
Spend the afternoon discussing your learner’s favorite books. Whether they be fiction or non-fiction, each student should be given an opportunity to share the inner workings of their most beloved story; depicting the storyline, characters, and more!
Learn More: VPL
9. Karaoke
Set up a karaoke machine and encourage students to sing their favorite songs. Not only is it a fun activity that allows students to let loose, but it also helps to get your little ones comfortable performing in group settings.
10. Game Tournament
Organize a tournament of a popular video game or sports game. Learners can compete individually or in teams and spend the afternoon battling it out toward victory!
11. Cooking or Baking
Encourage creative cooking flair with a fun afternoon of trialing new recipes! Students can easily pick up new cooking or baking skills by making a treat as a class.
12. Minute To Win It
Set up a series of quick challenges for students to complete in under a minute. Ideas can range from anything as simple as a chopstick pickup and cup stack game to something more complex like a popsicle stick dice stacking activity!
Learn More: Family Education
13. Charades
Nothing like an old classic to get the fun started! Let students act out words or phrases for their classmates to guess. Actions should be clear and well thought-out so that learners can make the correct predictions as quickly as possible.
Learn More: Kid Activities
14. Puzzle Day
Provide a variety of puzzles for students to work on individually or in groups. Up the ante by setting a time limit and prompting students to piece everything together before the timer goes off!
15. DIY Science Experiment
Let students conduct a fun and easy science experiment with everyday materials. They can build a balloon-powered car, explore the effects of baking soda when mixed with other liquids, or even investigate color-changing liquids.
Learn More: NY Metro Parents
16. Photography Day
Allow students to take pictures around the school or classroom and create a collage or presentation with their photos. Once complete, pop their creations up around the school to give the walls some life!
17. School Spirit Day
Encourage students to wear school colors or gear and participate in fun activities related to school spirit. Learners can be encouraged to paint their faces, bake goodies that represent school colors, or even arrange a school parade or party!
Learn More: Sign Up Genius
18. Yoga or Exercise
Help your students wind down after a long week by engaging them in a calming yoga practice or fun exercise activity. You can promote mindfulness, regulatory breathing, and stretching as well!
19. Board Game Design
Have students design and create their own board game. They can group up and then take turns playing each other’s games.
Learn More: Urban Student Life
20. Talent Swap
What better way to learn a new activity than through peer-led teaching? Let students share their talents and spend time teaching one another. Whether it be drawing or coding, learners are sure to enjoy a fun afternoon of interaction!
21. Guest Speaker
Invite a guest speaker to talk to students about a topic of interest. The speaker can elaborate on a topic in the current curriculum or simply inspire learners with personal stories.
Learn More: Top Hat
22. Theater Day
Let students create and perform a short play or skit. Every Friday they can gather and prepare their performance before inviting spectators to watch at the end of each month.
23. Writing Workshop
This is a fantastic idea for learners who need some assistance in the writing department. Invite struggling writers, or even writers who wish to expand their potential, to join in on a creative writing afternoon! Explore different types of writing such as poetry, letters, and more.
24. Outdoor Exploration
Take students outside to explore nature or the school grounds. Have them record their findings in terms of what they could hear, taste, touch, see and smell. They can then spend time sharing their observations with the group.
Learn More: Edutopia
25. DIY Musical Instruments
Provide materials for students to create their own musical instruments and have a jam session. Materials should range from bigger objects such as boxes and pipes to smaller and more decorative items such as buttons, string, paints, and pom poms.
26. Card Making
Let students create homemade cards for friends, family, or local nursing homes. Prepare glue, paper, crayons, scissors, and other decorative elements beforehand.
Learn More: Witty Kids India
27. Career Day
Invite professionals to speak to students about their careers and answer questions. Guests can be teachers, chefs, nurses, or even firefighters! Ask your class who they’d like to hear from and plan from there.
Learn More: Plan Book
28. DIY School Supplies
Let students personalize and decorate their own school supplies. A good idea to start with is the creation of personalized pencil holders. Students can simply cover old tin cans with wrapping paper and ribbon!
29. Community Service
Plan a community service project for students to work on together. They could engage in any project such as a park cleanup or food drive.
Learn More: Sign Up Genius
23 Diverse Learning Style Activity Ideas 