Thing #1 We’re Noticing: Weather Is the Biggest Engagement Risk
- The Wonder Company Team
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Weather is one of the most unpredictable (and underestimated) factors in holiday provision.
We recently supported a provider who had planned a full day of outdoor activities. By mid-morning, heavy rain made it impossible to continue as planned.
The concern wasn’t just logistical — it was about maintaining structure, engagement and calm for a large group of children.
Instead of rushing to fill time, the team pivoted to a set of flexible activities designed to work indoors or outdoors, with minimal setup and clear entry points for different energy levels.
The impact was immediate.
Children settled quickly into hands-on tasks. Some chose creative challenges, others worked independently, and small groups formed naturally without needing heavy direction.
Staff were able to support rather than firefight, and the session retained a sense of flow despite the sudden change in environment.
What stood out wasn’t the weather disruption — it was how the right type of resource removed pressure.
Weather-proof planning doesn’t mean doubling preparation or creating separate plans. It means choosing activities that can flex with reality, allowing sessions to move smoothly regardless of conditions.
That’s the difference we’re noticing more and more: not perfect planning, but adaptable delivery.
What stood out wasn’t the weather itself — it was how quickly pressure eased once the session adapted.
It’s something we’re noticing more and more: when activities are designed to flex, staff can focus on delivery, children stay engaged, and the day retains its rhythm — whatever the forecast.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Rather than rigid plans, the most resilient sessions tend to have a few things in common:
Flexible formats
Activities that can move indoors or outdoors without losing their purpose — for example, creative challenges that work at a table, on the floor, or outside under shelter.
Built-in choice
Sessions where children can opt into quieter or more active elements (dip in and out without disruption), allowing engagement to continue even when energy levels vary.
Light preparation
Resources that don’t rely on fixed spaces, specialist equipment or lengthy setup — meaning staff can pivot quickly without added pressure.
Familiar structure, adaptable content
Keeping the same session rhythm (welcome, activity time, calm close) even when the activity itself changes due to weather.
These small design choices don’t just help on bad-weather days — they create calmer, more confident delivery overall.
12 Things.
Each week, we’re sharing one 'thing' we’re noticing from real holiday provision — grounded in experience, not theory.
If you’re planning upcoming provision — or adapting existing programmes — we’re always happy to talk things through and explore what support might help.
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