The Minster Schools' Children's Club

The children have been enjoying playing Time Bomb in the hall. In the game, the children spread out and throw a ball to each other. If a child drops the ball, everyone begins counting to 10 while spelling out “Time Bomb” and throwing the ball around, similar to dodgeball. The last person holding the ball when the count ends is out. The children have had lots of fun playing together and staying active.

Playing Time Bomb provides many benefits for children, including developing physical coordination, balance, and motor skills through throwing, catching, and moving quickly. The game also encourages time awareness and quick thinking as children react under pressure while the countdown takes place. It supports social interaction and teamwork as the children communicate, cooperate, and follow the rules of the game together. In addition, Time Bomb helps to improve listening skills and concentration, as children must stay alert and focused throughout the activity. The game also encourages emotional regulation and resilience by helping children learn to manage excitement, cope with being out, and continue enjoying the game positively with their peers.

Recently, the children have been enjoying the old family favourite, Top Trumps, at Junior After School Club. The children have loved competing with their friends while learning new facts and practising their skills in a fun and engaging way.

Playing Top Trumps offers many educational and social benefits. It helps to develop numeracy skills as children compare numbers and values, while also supporting literacy and knowledge acquisition through reading and learning new information. The game encourages decision making and strategic thinking as children choose the best categories to play. In addition, it promotes important social and emotional skills such as turn-taking, communication, resilience, and teamwork. Handling and organising the cards also supports physical dexterity and fine motor development.

Over the past couple of weeks, the children have been enjoying playing Toucan Alley at Junior After School Club. They have had lots of fun taking turns, cheering each other on, and developing their skills through play.

Playing Toucan Alley offers many benefits for children, including improving hand-eye coordination, target practice, and throwing skills. It also encourages physical activity and helps to build social bonds as the children play together, share, and take turns. Through fun and engaging games like this, children continue to develop important physical and social skills while building confidence and enjoying active play.

Last week at Junior After School Club, the children used wool and cardboard to weave their own hearts. They really loved the finished results and were very proud of their creations.

Weaving is a wonderful activity for children as it helps to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, patience, and creativity. It also introduces early mathematical concepts such as patterns and sequencing in a fun and engaging way. Alongside these learning benefits, weaving can be a calming and therapeutic activity that encourages focus, perseverance, and confidence building.

In our breakfast club art session last week, the children created some lovely butterflies using mosaic pieces. They independently drew their butterflies and then glued various coloured square pieces onto them to create beautiful, colourful butterflies. The activity was inspired by artists such as Antoni Gaudí, who is well known for using bright mosaic patterns in his artwork and designs. Through this activity, the children explored colour, pattern, and creativity while developing their fine motor skills and artistic confidence.

In Infant after school club, the children have been getting their creative juices flowing to create their very own independent masterpieces. Through art, the children are developing their imagination, fine motor skills, and self-expression, while also building confidence and learning to explore new ideas in a fun and relaxed environment. It has been lovely to see each child’s unique creativity shine through in their artwork.

The children in our breakfast club have been getting creative this week making their very own chatterboxes. They have thought carefully about what they want to include and have enjoyed sharing their ideas, questions, and fun facts with their peers. It has been wonderful to see their creativity, confidence, and communication skills shine through as they worked together and encouraged one another.

Last week at after-school club, the junior children had a fantastic time creating their own personalised initials using tissue paper, PVA glue, and acrylic paint 🎨

They loved designing their letters and filling them with colourful tissue paste to bring their ideas to life. Such a creative and engaging activity—we’ll definitely be doing this one again!

Last week, the Junior children have been making the most of the sunshine and enjoying time outdoors ☀️

They’ve had lots of fun using the equipment, playing football, toss and catch, and trying out the velcro mitts. There were also plenty of smiles during games of tag and more football!

It’s been wonderful to see everyone so active, engaged, and enjoying the fresh air.