Pencil cases are being filled, uniforms are being checked and the long school summer holidays are almost at an end. Before long, children throughout London will be heading back through the school gates for the autumn term.
For schools, nurseries, PTAs and parent groups, September also marks the beginning of another busy calendar of activities. Welcome-back events, school fairs, fundraising days, nursery celebrations, family afternoons and seasonal events will quickly begin filling the diary.
Dancing Cubs can provide Soft Play, Ball Ponds, Soft Play Climbing Frames, Toys & Big Games and other children's play equipment for autumn events throughout London.
From Summer Holidays to a New School Year
The first few weeks of the autumn term can feel very different after the freedom of the summer holidays. Children are settling into new classes, some are starting nursery or school for the first time, and families are becoming accustomed to their usual routines again.
Events that bring families together can provide a friendly way to begin the term. A school or nursery family afternoon, welcome event or PTA gathering gives children an opportunity to play while parents, carers and staff get to know one another.
For younger children, a dedicated play area can include equipment from our Soft Play Packages alongside a Ball Pond. 4 m of White Fence (various sizes available) can also be used when a clearly defined children's area is appropriate for the venue.
Autumn School Fairs and PTA Events
The autumn term brings plenty of opportunities for school fundraising. Fairs, fêtes and family days can all benefit from having activities suitable for younger siblings as well as school-age pupils.
Soft play can give babies and toddlers their own activity area while older children enjoy the rest of the event. Depending on the ages attending and the available space, organisers could also consider Bouncy Castles or equipment from Party Entertainment Ideas For Older Kids.
Our Winter Fair, Fetes, Festival and More collection is also useful for schools beginning to plan events later in the autumn and winter terms.
Little Siblings Need Something to Do Too
School events often attract entire families. A dedicated baby and toddler area means younger brothers and sisters can have equipment suited to the way they play rather than simply watching the bigger children.
Soft Play for Nurseries and Early Years Events
September is a particularly important time for nurseries and early years settings. New children are arriving, routines are changing and families may be meeting staff and other parents for the first time.
Soft play provides opportunities for movement, exploration and social play. Our How Children Play on Soft Play, The Benefits of Soft Play and Play Ideas contain more thoughts about the different ways young children interact with play equipment.
For settings wanting equipment for more than a single event, we can also discuss Long Term Soft Play Hire and Play Installations & Exhibitions.
Autumn Means Indoor Events Are Back
Summer gives us gardens, parks and outdoor celebrations. Autumn is rather less predictable.
As the days become cooler and wetter, school halls, community centres, leisure centres and indoor event spaces become increasingly useful. Soft play is particularly well suited to indoor children's activities because packages can be selected according to the room and age group attending.
Our Setting Up Indoors page contains practical information for organisers, while Small Spaces is worth browsing if your available area is limited.
If an autumn event is planned outdoors, please also read Setting Up Outdoors and our Weather Policy.
Autumn Corporate Events for Employees and Their Families
The return to school affects workplaces too. Businesses may organise employee family events, office celebrations and activities that bring colleagues and their children together.
Dancing Cubs provides Corporate Fun Day Entertainment For Toddlers, Office Party Ideas For Children and equipment for Bring Your Child to Work Day Ideas For Babies and Toddlers.
Our Toddler Activity Ideas For Corporate Events also provides inspiration for organisations considering how to include younger children in an event.
Then Along Comes Halloween...
September has a habit of disappearing rather quickly. Once everyone has settled back into school, October is not far behind.
Schools, nurseries, hotels, community groups and businesses planning seasonal celebrations can browse our Halloween Party Entertainment Ideas. Soft play and ball ponds can form part of a larger Halloween family event without requiring every activity to be aimed at older children.
For organisers who prefer equipment that fits a particular event palette, our huge selection includes Bright Coloured Ball Ponds, Luxury Colours Soft Play and Themed Soft Play.
...And Christmas Isn't Far Behind
We know. Nobody wants to hear it while they are still finding sand from the summer holidays in the bottom of their bags.
But for school and event organisers, Christmas planning often begins surprisingly early. The second half of the autumn term brings Christmas fairs, Santa visits, festive family days, office parties and end-of-term celebrations.
Dancing Cubs has Christmas Soft Play, Christmas Santa's Grotto Party Ideas For Children and Winter Wonderland equipment for seasonal events.
Schools arranging a Christmas fair can also combine children's play equipment with suitable Fun Foods and other activities to build a broader family event.
School Events Don't Have to Be Enormous
A good event does not necessarily need to fill an entire sports hall. Sometimes a small play area for younger children is exactly what is required.
A compact ball pond, a few carefully selected soft play pieces or a toddler activity space can be incorporated into a wider event without dominating it. Our Small Spaces options are particularly useful when organisers need to make sensible use of the room available.
At the other end of the scale, we also provide Event Soft Play Area Hire London for organisers planning larger children's zones.
Planning Delivery to a London School or Nursery
Schools often have their own access arrangements, security procedures and suitable delivery periods. Providing these details when booking helps us plan the day properly.
Dancing Cubs handles delivery, set-up and collection, and our Delivery & Collection page explains how our London delivery schedule operates.
For larger events, information about entrances, parking, loading areas, stairs, lifts and the distance to the event space is particularly helpful.
Our Safe Play Guidelines and FAQs contain additional practical information for schools, nurseries and event organisers.
Autumn Children's Entertainment Throughout London
We provide mobile children's play equipment throughout the capital. Our service includes Central London, East London, North London, South East London, South London and West London.
We also work in individual London areas including Barnet, Clapham, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth.
Get the Autumn Term Diary Ready
The last days of the summer holidays always seem to arrive quickly. Soon the schools will be busy again, the leaves will start changing and London's autumn events calendar will be under way.
If you are organising a school fair, nursery event, PTA fundraiser, family day, Halloween celebration, corporate event or early Christmas activity, now is a good time to start thinking about what younger children will be doing.
Browse All Products for the full Dancing Cubs range, take a look at previous setups in our Gallery, or read Why Choose Dancing Cubs to learn more about our approach to children's play equipment.
Planning an autumn school or family event in London? Use Contact to tell us what you have planned and let us help you choose suitable play equipment for the children attending.
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