childcare ideas

I work at the after school childcare and was wanting ideas for when students first arrive. They are all excited and wanting to play around. I was wanting to find some short game that I could do when they first get to the room or some idea to make the transition from school to childcare. I was thinking about having some discussion about how the day went but then I am worried that I may get myself in a bind if something very bad happened or they went to talk about home life. So I feel that is a tough one. Thanks for any help you could give me!!!!