Ideas, themes, and how to run each one, so quiet nights and empty seats turn into new families and new revenue.
Tap one to jump in
At a glance
Run a mix of both all year. Free events fill your list. Paid events fill your bank account.
Top pick marks the best place to start in each section. Timing is a suggestion, so match it to your local school calendar.
Free to families. Low lift for you. Every kid who walks in becomes a warm lead for your trial.
Free workshops
Short, fun, hands on events with a national hook or an evergreen theme. The win is the follow up, not the event itself.
How to run it
| Idea + concept | When | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Build Your Own Game (JR)Top pickYounger kids leave with a game they made. Fastest proof that JR works. | Anytime | 5 |
| Build Your Own Game (Create)Top pickSame hook for Create ages. Evergreen, so run it whenever the calendar has a gap. | Anytime | 10 |
| National Coding Week: Code A Game (Create) · 2 sessionsA national week gives you a built in reason to post, email and invite friends. | Early fall | 24 |
| World Space Week: Flying Cars (JR)Space theme sized for JR ninjas. | Fall | 8 |
| World Space Week: Mars Rover ActivityHands on robotics feel without the robotics price tag. | Fall | 12 |
| STEM Explorers (Stations)Rotating stations show off the whole center in one visit. | Anytime | 12 |
| Ethical AI Use (Parent + Kid)Top pickGets parents in the room and makes you the local expert on AI for kids. | Anytime | 10 |
| CSEd Week: Hour of Code · 2 sessionsTop pickA national event schools already talk about. Easy to fill. | Early winter | 20 |
| Girls Who Game: Roblox®Opens a new audience with a game girls already love. | Anytime | 10 |
| National Robotics Week: RoboticsSpring hook that leads right into summer camp sign ups. | Spring | 10 |
| Total seats | 121 | |
Paid programming that earns money this month and keeps families coming back. Up to $41,178 at full capacity.
Revenue · Drop-in workshops
One time paid sessions. Low commitment for parents, real revenue for you, and a natural trial feeder.
How to run it
| Idea + concept | When | Fee | Seats | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Video Game Day: Smash Bros / Mario Kart TournamentTournament format sells itself. Kids bring friends. | Back to school | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| Sphero Maze ChallengeQuick robotics win. No experience needed. | Anytime | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| Makey Makey: Glove ControllerKids wear what they build. Very shareable. | Anytime | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| Minecraft®: Medieval AdventureMinecraft fills seats. A reliable anytime option. | Anytime | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| JR Explorers (STEM Stations)Small group for younger kids. Feeds JR enrollment. | Anytime | $39 | 6 | $234 |
| LEGO®: Carnival GamesLEGO pulls in families who aren't gamers yet. | Anytime | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| World Space Week: Stop Motion Moon LandingCreative crossover that previews the Stop Motion club. | Fall | $39 | 12 | $468 |
| Minecraft®: Build A Haunted HouseSeasonal theme at a higher price point. | Halloween season | $49 | 12 | $588 |
| National STEM Day: STEM Explorers (Stations)Top pickThe biggest room on this list, with a national hook. | Fall | $49 | 20 | $980 |
| “Pop Star” Theme: Make a Music VideoPulls in creative kids who skip coding events. | Anytime | $49 | 12 | $588 |
| Intro to Pokémon / Tournament*Top pickHuge built in fan base. Second biggest earner here. | Anytime | $49 | 18 | $882 |
| Intro to Dungeons and Dragons*Small but loyal crowd. Perfect for a Sensei who plays. | Anytime | $49 | 12 | $588 |
| Intro to Canva*: Design A Holiday CardKids make a gift. Parents love it. | Holiday season | $39 | 8 | $312 |
| Engineering Week: Rube GoldbergTop pickPremium price, premium wow factor. | Late winter | $59 | 12 | $708 |
| International Women’s Day: Girls Who Game: Roblox®Builds on the free Girls Who Game event. | Early spring | $39 | 8 | $312 |
| Robotics Week: LEGO® / VEXPremium robotics session right before camp season. | Spring | $59 | 12 | $708 |
| Potential at full capacity | $8,708 | |||
*Great chance to tap your Senseis’ special interests and skills and have them host something unique.
How we fill itEmail + SMS to your list, plus a small Meta boost for the big national days.See the system → ↑ Back to the overviewRevenue · 6 week clubs
Once a week for 6 weeks. Recurring revenue and the closest thing to a membership trial run.
How to run it
| Idea + concept | When | Fee | Seats | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEM ExplorersTop pickBroadest appeal. The best first club if you only run one. | Early fall | $199 | 15 | $2,985 |
| Become a YouTuberTop pickKids already want this. Parents like that it's safe and guided. | Fall | $199 | 15 | $2,985 |
| 3D PrintingKids take home what they print. Strong word of mouth. | Mid fall | $199 | 15 | $2,985 |
| Stop Motion AnimationFinal films make great posts and a great showcase night. | Late fall into the holidays | $199 | 15 | $2,985 |
| Potential at full capacity | $11,940 | |||
Revenue · Parents Night Out
A themed evening once a month. Parents get a night off, kids get a party, and you get 25 families in the door.
How to run it
| Idea + concept | When | Fee | Seats | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minecraft: Mission MarsKicks off the school year with a sure thing. | Back to school | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| PokémonFan favorite that sells out fast. | Back to school | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| HalloweenTop pickCostume night. The easiest PNO of the year to fill. | Halloween | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| Mario Kart TournamentCompetition keeps kids coming back. | Late fall | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| Ugly SweaterTop pickA free shopping night for parents. High demand. | Holiday season | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| Smash Bros TournamentRestarts the habit after the holidays. | New year | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| ValentineTop pickDate night for parents. Open booking early. | Valentine’s week | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| Pizza, Games + FunNo theme needed. Pure fun night. | Early spring | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| RobloxBig draw with the middle grades. | Spring | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| MinecraftStrong close to the year and a natural summer camp plug. | End of school year | $49 | 25 | $1,225 |
| Potential at full capacity | $12,250 | |||
Revenue · Day + break camps
Full day camps on teacher workdays and school breaks. You solve a real childcare problem, so parents book fast.
How to run it
| Idea + concept | When | Fee | Seats | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEM Explorers: 3D Pens, Sphero + Makey MakeyTop pickSampler camp that shows off every tool you have. | Fall day off | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| Minecraft®: Build Your Dream Theme ParkTop pickMinecraft plus a creative theme fills fast. | Fall break | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| 3D Print: Make Your Own ____Fill in a seasonal item. Kids take it home. | Late fall day off | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| Minecraft®: Build A Winter WonderlandWinter theme for the post holiday stretch. | January day off | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| Minecraft®: Mission MarsReuses the PNO theme, so prep is light. | Winter day off | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| Robotics: Obstacle CourseHands on robotics. Great for older ninjas. | Late winter day off | $69 | 20 | $1,380 |
| Potential at full capacity | $8,280 | |||
Themes. Themes. Themes.
How we fill itGoogle Ads for “day camp near me” searches, plus email + SMS 2 to 3 weeks out.See the system → ↑ Back to the overviewClose the loop · Enrollment offers
A full room only pays off if families enroll. Pair each season with an offer, so every free and paid event has a next step.
| When | Offer |
|---|---|
| Back to school | Free 2 week trialWorkshop attendees onlyTurns free workshop guests into trial members. |
| Back to school | $79 first monthCreate Lite onlyLower entry price for budget conscious families. |
| Back to school | $99 first monthCreate onlyBack to school push for the core program. |
| Fall | Club bonusAdds value without discounting tuition. |
| Halloween week | $31 first monthFlash offer. The price is the hook. |
| Black Friday weekend | $79 / $99 first monthRides Black Friday shopping energy. |
| Holiday season | Club bonusA gift friendly add on. |
| Holiday season | First month free3 month commitmentA big offer protected by a commitment. |
| New year | Free 2 week trialWorkshop attendees onlyNew year reset. Converts winter workshop traffic. |
| Spring | Summer camp bonus3 month commitmentLocks in spring members and fills summer camps. |
We plan the calendar, build the ads, and run the email and texts that fill each event. It's the same system we run for Code Ninjas centers across the US and Canada.
Potential revenue is the suggested fee times capacity in a full room. Timing is a suggestion, so match it to your local school calendar. Minecraft®, LEGO®, Roblox® and Pokémon are trademarks of their owners.