A Week in the Life of Ladybirds: Themed Days That Keep Ballymena Kids Excited for After School Club
Ask any parent what makes a child actually want to go somewhere, and the answer is usually the same: it has to be fun, and it has to feel a bit different each time. That’s exactly why themed days and themed weeks are such a big part of life at Ladybirds — both during term time and especially through our Summer Scheme.
What is a “themed week,” exactly?
Instead of the same routine day after day, we build a week of activities around one big idea. A theme might touch on nature and the outdoors, science and discovery, sports and team games, arts and creativity, or a cultural or seasonal celebration. Every activity that week — the crafts, the games, sometimes even the snacks — ties back to that theme, so children get a joined-up, immersive experience rather than a random grab-bag of activities.
Why we do it this way
It builds anticipation. Children love knowing “next week is space week” or “next week is sports week” — it gives them something to look forward to, which matters when the school day itself can feel long and repetitive.
It deepens learning. A single day of a topic barely scratches the surface. A full week means children can build on what they learned the day before, ask questions, and really get stuck in.
It caters to different interests. Not every child is a football fanatic, and not every child wants to sit and paint. By rotating themes across the term and summer, every child gets weeks that feel made for them.
What this looks like at Seven Towers
Because we’re based at Seven Towers Leisure Centre, we’ve got fantastic facilities on our doorstep — space for active games and sport, room for arts and crafts setups, and the flexibility to run a proper variety of activities depending on the week’s theme.
Summer Scheme takes it further
During term time, themed activities fit into our 2pm–6pm window. But it’s during Summer Scheme — running 8am to 6pm across the school holidays — that themed weeks really come into their own, often combined with trips out to bring the theme to life beyond our walls.
Keep an eye out
We announce upcoming themes on our Facebook page and through school newsletters, so keep an eye out if your child is due to join us for after school club or summer scheme. If there’s a theme your child would love to see, we’re always open to hearing suggestions too — get in touch and let us know!
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