Play Day Tool kit
Play Day Let s Celebrate Healthy Living! A fun way to culminate your classroom or school s participation in At My Best, and to celebrate and put the students knowledge into action, is by organizing a healthy celebration in the form of a Play Day. Your celebration can be a special Play Day event to conclude the At My Best program and to celebrate new habits, involving healthy choices and physical activity. The may include your class, the entire school or your school community. The toolkit has been prepared by Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) to help teachers, schools and administrators plan and celebrate their students overall wellness through a day of healthy fun activities. This toolkit serves as a guide to planning your own. Whenever possible, include your students in the planning of your celebration. Check it out! Additional tools and resources at www.atmybest.ca The At My Best website offers additional information and tools to enhance your activities. Supporting documents include templates such as letters to parents, press releases, signage, certificates and much more. You can download and customize these documents at www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/ supporting-documents. Be sure to upload a short story and photos of how your school celebrated! At My Best Family Passport Challenge Get your students and their families involved! A strong connection between learning at school and learning at home makes learning at school more meaningful, real and enduring for students. The At My Best Family Passport Challenge will encourage families to lead physically active, healthy lives as they complete their own family activity passport. Go online to order your free class set of Family Passports as well as an informative letter to send home to parents on how they can get involved in the At My Best Family Passport Challenge. By registering for the Family Passport Challenge you can help Rae travel across Canada. For more information on getting your student s families involved, please visit the At My Best website.
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Table of Contents Let s Celebrate Healthy Living!................... About...................... 2 How to use the At My Best Toolkit............... 2 Description of Toolkit Resources.................. 2 Simple Steps to Hosting a Successful............................ 3 1. Appoint an Chairperson................................. 3 2. Play Day Types/Formats..................... 3 Free Flow Play Day........................... 3 Rotational Play Day.......................... 3 Round Robin Play Day........................ 3 Mass Activity Play Day....................... 3 Task Play Day............................... 3 3. Choose Your Activities....................... 4 4. Site Set-up.................................. 4 5. Team/Group Selection....................... 4 Group Themes.............................. 4 6. Safety...................................... 5 7. To-Do List.............. 5 8. Sample Schedule....... 6 Helpful Hints................................ 6 9. Volunteers/Student Leaders.................. 7 10. Creating a Budget........................... 7 11. Application for Funding...................... 7 12. Event Promotion............................. 7 13. Letters of Invitation.......................... 7 14. Media Advisory............................. 7 15. Open and Closing Assembly Planning......... 8 Opening Assembly.......................... 8 Closing Assembly........................... 8 16. Evaluation and Follow-Up.................... 8 17. Thank You Letters........................... 8 i Activity List................................. Activities: Based on Physical Activity............ Sponge Toss................................ Capture the Flag............................ Sandwich Tag............................... Under Over Ball............................. Three Legged Partner Race................... Caterpillar Tag.............................. Leap Frog Tag............................... Hop, Hop, Hop, Stop........................ Musical Hula Hoops......................... Tree Tag.................................... Water Balloon Toss.......................... Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag.................... Sit ups/pushups/jumping Jacks Tag.......... Limbo with Panty Hose...................... Pass the Chicken............................ Musical Chicken............................ Keep It Up.................................. Tarp Pull.................................... Golf Ball Balancing Act...................... Time Trials................................. A 1 A 1 A 1 A 2 A 2 A 2 A 3 A 3 A 4 A 4 A 4 A 5 A 5 A 5 A 6 A 6 A 6 A 7 A 7 A 7 A 8 A 8 Activities: Based on Healthy Eating.............. A 9 Craft Nutrition.............................. A 9 Nutrition Trivia.............................. A 9 Where do I Belong?......................... A 9 Nutrition Facts.............................. A 10 Snack Time................................. A 10 Meal Plan.................................. A 10 Nutrition Bingo............................. A 11 What Fruit or Vegetable Am I?............... A 11 Activities: Based on Emotional Well-Being........ A 12 Stand Up and Be Proud If.................. A 12 Pass the Compliment........................ A 12 Positivity Tag............................... A 12 Folding the Tarp............................. A 13 Mission Possible............................ A 13 Silly Scavenger Hunt........................ A 13 Helpful Handball............................ A 14 Fabulous Fitness Fun........................ A 14 Resources...................................... A 15
About was developed to assist schools in celebrating their students healthy achievements with a fun day of activities. The goals of the toolkit are to: Celebrate and put students knowledge into action; Provide the tools to plan a successful event for a class, grade, division or school; Provide an opportunity for students to make connections between physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being; Support the delivery of quality Health and Physical Education programs; Provide an opportunity for daily physical activity (DPA); Support schools in sustaining a healthy school environment; Provide opportunities to build connections with parents and communities with a focus on healthy living; Support character education and the development of life skills; Instill an environment filled with school spirit. How to use this Toolkit Organization is the key to a successful. With this in mind, you may adapt all or any part of this toolkit or develop an alternative plan tailored to your needs. Description of resources included in this Toolkit The following resources are provided to help you organize your Play Day: 1. Simple steps to hosting a successful : Information on Play Day formats, organizing and selecting teams, scheduling and safety are included. 2. A suggested Play Day to-do list to help keep track of your planning progress. 3. Participation ribbons to be presented to all participants. 4. The At My Best website (www.atmybest.ca) which provides additional tips and information to help you organize your : Downloadable forms, letters and templates that can be adapted for your schools ; A section where schools can upload a short story and photos showing how they celebrated At My Best Play Day; An opportunity to participate in the At My Best Family Passport Challenge. 5. Promotional tools available in toolkit and online at www.atmybest.ca which include: Adaptable posters to display around your school; Adaptable press release template and invitation for distribution to local media; A letter template inviting potential sponsors to get involved; And more!
Simple Steps to Hosting a Successful 1. Appoint an Chairperson Appoint a dedicated individual(s) within your school in order to have your Play Day run smoothly. The Chairperson for this event will act as a liaison with the principal, as well as other teachers involved in the planning and preparing for this day. See Job Description for Chairperson of located at www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/ supporting-documents 2. Play Day Types/Formats Select a Play Day format that suits your schools needs. Remember that your Play Day can be adapted to accommodate one class, many classes or the entire school. Free Flow Play Day: Create a large number of games/activities and disperse them over your play area. Let students walk around and select which games/activities they want to participate in. Have older students or volunteers running the games/ activities. Advantage: No rotation schedule needed. Fewer behaviour problems as they choose their own activity. Disadvantage: Popular activities will be busy and therefore have longer lines. Difficult to track where students are and keep a head count. Rotational Play Day: A large number of games are created and set up in a large area. The players are broken into groups (by class), and rotate the groups through each activity. Advantage: Players are always accounted for and everyone can participate. Disadvantage: Lots of preparation and planning is required. Less popular activities may cause behaviour issues. Round Robin Play Day: Everyone is playing the same activity; with Round Robin each team will get a chance to play one another. Advantage: Same activity, so limited work for set up. Each team plays every other team. Disadvantage: Students may get bored of playing the same activity over and over. Mass Activity Play Day: All players play in one large game. Advantage: Little preparation needed. Allows for different age levels to integrate. Disadvantage: Players may get bored of the same activity. Very difficult to make a game work with high numbers. Task Play Day: Teams work together to perform the same activity as other groups. Teams cannot see each other. Once teams have completed activity one they can move on to activity two and so on. Advantage: No head to head rivalry. Each team does the same activity. Disadvantage: Takes a fair amount of planning and space. Teams cannot see other teams.
3. Choose Activities A selection of activities and games are included in this toolkit to assist you in planning for your. We recommend you choose a combination of physical, nutritional and emotional based activities from the Activity List to include in your day. See Page 12 for the Activity List. For more information on the Creation of Signage for Activities, please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/ supporting-documents 4. Site Set-up Your site set-up will be determined by the type of Play Day format you choose and by the kinds of activities you choose for your day. We recommend that your site set-up includes: One rest area with a refreshment station; A first-aid station; Pre-determined locations for each activity. 5. Team/Group Selection Teams are recommended to be divided into class groups, but can also be split into a mix of age groups and grade levels if desired. If you decide to make your groups different then the already determined classes, you may want to consider these principles to guide the selection of group members: Each group should include participants from every grade level/age group, with an equal number of girls and boys (if possible); Groups should be reminded that this is not a competitive day, but a fun day for everyone to participate in healthy and fun activities; If possible, each team will have a group leader. The group leader can be an adult, a young leader or a teacher. Group Themes To add to the excitement of, you may want to have your teams create group names following a chosen theme. A few examples of themes are: Healthy Foods: give each class participating in the Play Day a team name that is a healthy food, such as Team Apple. They can then create a team banner, and a team chant using their team name. This will foster excitement about the activities the students will be participating in. Provide healthy snacks to the participants. Canada: dress in red and white clothing, or anything with a Canadian flag on it. Sing O Canada together, and play Canadian games such as lacrosse and hockey. Sports: each group can pick their favourite sport and dress up as an athlete from that sport for the day. Colours: give each team a colour name (i.e. Team Blue), the team members have to wear that colour, and create a team chant.
6. Safety For safety reasons, it is recommended that each activity have a brief pre-instruction that encourages participants to identify basic safety points when introduced to each activity. Ensure that all participants: ü ü ü ü ü ü wear appropriate clothing; wear suitable footwear; remove all jewellery or watches; tie back long hair use sunscreen; and drink plenty of water Please see more information on sample Emergency Action Plans located at www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents 7. To-Do List Create a to do list. Identify tasks that need to be done, by whom and when. Please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/ atmybestday/supporting-documents to download an adaptable To-Do List template. Activity To-Do Person Responsible Due Date Complete Event Preparation (Planning team, event volunteers, letters, invitations, protocols, reservations, promotion, decoration, food, activity equipment, a/v, garbage and recycle bins, planning meetings) 1 2 Event Day (Site set up, volunteer supervision, activity equipment, food, a/v, special guests, safety, clean-up, media person) 1 2 Event Follow-Up (Thank you s, media follow-up, event debrief and summary) 1 2 Direct your organizational staff to ensure: ü ü ü There is sufficient space between activities; That all equipment is in working order; That first-aid and water stations are set up around your site.
8. Sample Schedule The sample schedule includes slotted times for an opening and closing ceremony, stations and lunch times. Adapt the schedule to suit the needs of your class/school. Please visit online at www.atmybest.ca/events/ atmybestday/supporting-documents to download an adaptable schedule. Time Main Activity On the Side Lines 7:30 Preparation of stations 8:30 Opening Assembly Volunteers assisting with station preparation 9:15 Students get organized into their predetermined groups and head to scheduled station 9:30 Rotation of stations: Activity 1 (25 minutes at each activity station, followed by a five-minute interval for group rotation and pre-activity instruction) All leaders or group coordinators (can be a teacher, parent, volunteer or older student) get group together and follow station schedule Can have volunteer floaters that check in on stations 10:00 Activity 2 10:30 Activity 3 11:00 Activity 4 11:30 Activity 5 12:00 Lunch Break 13:00 Rotation of stations: Activity 6 13:30 Activity 7 14:00 Activity 8 14:30 Activity 9 15:00 Closing Assembly Take down all stations and clean up Helpful Hints: Include a healthy snack station within your rotation schedule. Either supply students with healthy snacks and water, or encourage students to bring a healthy snack to leave at the station for when their group arrives. Provide all group leaders, teachers and volunteers with your Schedule.
9. Volunteers/Student Leaders Depending on the type of Play Day and the size of your school, you may require extra hands to assist with the planning, preparation, site set-up and take-down of your. Have older students lead teams, stations or a combination of both. If you require additional assistance from parent or student volunteers, please visit the website to access volunteer letter/form templates. Please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents for the following tools: Student Volunteer Request Template: to be sent to local high schools Student Volunteer Application Form Parent Volunteer Request Letter Parent Volunteer Registration Form 10. Creating a Budget Are you planning on acquiring resources for your event that your school does not already have? Please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents for a tool to assist with your budget planning. Seek funding from organizations or corporations to support your event. Keep in mind that a successful At My Best Play Day event can occur with spending little to no money. Look around your school to find supplies and equipment that could be incorporated into your day. 11. Application for Funding Your school may want to seek external support to contribute to your. Please see a sample Application for Funding Letter located at www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents. Fill in the brackets and send to potential organizations and/or corporations that may be interested in donating to your event. 12. Event Promotion Get your school and students excited! Post posters around your school reminding students of the upcoming event. Sample Play Day poster, visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents 13. Letters of Invitation Sample Letters of Invitation can be sent to those you wish to invite (members of your school board, municipal leaders, etc.) to your. Please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents 14. Media Advisory will serve as a celebratory event to recognize the wellness program across Canada. Taking part in Play Day is an important opportunity for your school to demonstrate that it cares about the health of its students, staff and families. Take the time to invite your local media to cover your event and share with the rest of the community. Visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/invite-media for the At My Best Play Day Media Advisory Template. Please fill in the brackets with the required information and send via email or fax to your local media contacts.
15. Open and Closing Assembly Planning An opening and closing assembly for will provide your school with an opportunity to come together and celebrate the successes of healthy living. Below is a brief outline of how you may want to organize your assembly. Opening Assembly: Explain the goal of the day. Tell the students how much fun they will have get them excited! ** If you have a theme for your event introduce it, and introduce team names (each class should have a team name and cheer). If time allows have each class perform their cheer. Get organized with their teachers and start activities. Closing Assembly: Thank everyone for participating: Students, Volunteers, and Sponsors. Make closing remarks about success of the 16. Evaluation and Follow-Up With the closure comes the follow-up; a time for reflection and evaluation. Review the evaluation forms, note the successes and note activities that may need be altered or improved in future years. Please visit www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents for sample evaluation forms: Volunteer and Student Evaluation of Activities Volunteer and Student Overall Evaluation of 17. Thank You Letters Thank all of the individuals that made your possible. Sample Thank you Letters are available at www.atmybest.ca/events/atmybestday/supporting-documents
Play Day Activity List The following is a list of activities that you can choose to use for your. We recommend you select a combination of physical activity, nutritional and emotional activities from the distinguished categories to ensure that your Play Day displays all aspects of the At My Best program. **Time required includes time for explanation of activity and set up Activities: Based on Physical Activity Sponge Toss: 8 buckets 4 sponges Access to water to fill buckets Playing area: Can use grass or paved area, but should be outside Size of Group: 4 teams of 4-8 players each Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: The group will split in half, each half standing behind one bucket. The buckets should be placed 1m apart (increase distance for older students). One group of buckets will be full of water, and the other buckets will be empty, the goal is to transport the water from one side to the other. The player will fill the sponge with water, and toss it across the playing field to their teammate, the teammate should squeeze the sponge to place the water into the empty bucket, toss the sponge back to a teammate across the playing field (once the individual has touched the sponge they should move to the back of the line). Continue this process until all water from the original bucket has been transported to the new bucket. The first team to complete this task wins. A 1
Capture the Flag: Pinnies (enough for half of the class) 2 flags Cones/markers to mark the end zone Playing area: Gymnasium or outdoor field Size of Group: Two teams of 5-12 players each Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Each team has a flag placed at the middle their end zone line, the goal of the game is to retrieve the other team s flag and bring it across their own end zone without being tagged. Once the players cross the midline they can be tagged by the opposite team, if the player is tagged they must stand still until one of their teammates comes and tags them free. The team to successfully carry the opposing team s flag across their own end zone wins the game. If there is time remaining multiple rounds can be played. Sandwich Tag None Playing area: Open play space, can be indoors or outdoors Size of Group: 20+ players Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: A game of tag, everyone can participate at one time. Two people are the designated its. The players can run around anywhere in the playing field, the job of the its is to tag the other players. If the individual is tagged they must lie down on the ground, and call for bread. Calling for bread means that two people (not the its ) must come and lie down on either side of the player who was tagged, this creates the sandwich, and frees the tagged player. All members of the sandwich can get up and continue playing the game. The game ends when everyone has been tagged, or when the time runs out. Under Over Ball Two balls Playing area: Open play space (either half of a gymnasium, or an outdoor play space will suffice) Size of Group: Two teams of 5-12 players Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: Group is separated into two groups. Each group will line up in a straight line (everyone facing the same direction, looking at the back of the head of the person in front of them), with an arm length space in between them. The player at the front of the line starts with the ball, and they pass the ball over their head and under their legs, alternately, until the ball reaches the end of the line, that player then runs the ball to the front of the line and starts passing again. The game ends when everyone has had a chance to start the passing and the starting player is back at the front of the line. A 2
Three Legged Partner Race Ties 1 per team (such as a piece of panty hose or scarves) Playing area: Indoor or outdoor play space Size of Group: Teams of 2 players (can have as many teams as necessary) Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: The partners have one of each of their legs tied together. The teams will start at the designated starting area, and run with their teammate to the finish line. The object is to be the first team to cross the finish line. Caterpillar Tag Flags - 1 per group (or some sort of piece of fabric that can be tucked into clothing.) Playing area: Indoor or outdoor play space Size of Group: Groups of 4 Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Each group of four will form a line (each player will hold onto either the waist or shoulders of the player in front of them) the player at the back of the line will have a flag attached to them, and the player at the front will have their hands free. The player at the front of each line is the grabber, whose goal is to remove other team s flags. Once a team s flag has been removed they are out of the game, and must wait until the final group is standing and called the winner. The final group gets 1 point for winning that round. Another round begins (positions on the team can be changed, so that everyone has the chance to be the grabber ), the team with the most points at the end of the time limit wins. A 3
Leap Frog Tag None Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: 20+ players (no specified teams) Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: Name four players the frog catchers, these players are the its for this game of tag. The goal of the catchers is to tag everyone. If a player is tagged by a frog catcher they must get down on the ground in a tucked position and wait for someone to come and save them by jumping over the player on the ground (as if they are playing leap frog). Once the player has been saved they can return to the game. Hop, Hop, Hop, Stop None Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: 20+ players (no specified teams) Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: Players stand at one side of the play area and the caller calls hop, hop, hop, hop, the players move towards the caller, when the caller calls stop he/she turns around quickly to try to catch others who are moving. The hoppers goal is to freeze when stop is called; if someone is caught moving then they must return to the wall and start over. The goal is for the hoppers to cross the line at the end of the gymnasium where the caller is standing. Musical Hula Hoops 25 Hula Hoops (but only use as many as you need) Music Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: 20+ players (no specified teams) Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Set up hula hoops on the ground (can use 1 less hula hoop than the number of students in order to eliminate one player each round, or can place less hula hoops in order to eliminate more than one player each round), and play music. When the music is stopped the students have to stand in a hula hoop, the last person left standing outside of a hula hoop is out, and the game goes on until there is only one person left standing. A 4
Tree Tag None Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: 20+ (no specified teams) Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: An it is chosen (can choose more than one it ). Players run from one side of the marked play area to the other, if a runner is tagged they must stop where they are and wave their arms to try to help catch other people (they become stationary its ). Water Balloon Toss One water balloon full of water per group of two players Playing area: Outdoor play space Size of Group: Divide the class into groups of two individuals Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Partners are placed on marked lines across from one another. They are to throw the water balloon back and forth, if the water balloon breaks that team is out and must sit on the side lines until there is only one team left with their water balloon intact. There will be stages that will increase the difficulty of the game, the players will be stopped and told to take a step back. Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag None Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space (mark three lines two end lines and one middle line) Size of Group: Split the class into two equal groups Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Split the class into two equal sized groups. The group will join together to decide if they are going to be rock, paper or scissors, then have everyone line up in the middle of the marked area (each team on either side of the middle line), and on the count of three both teams must show what they chose, the team that wins the rock paper scissors round must then chase the losing team to their marked end zone, attempting to tag them. If the individual is tagged they must switch over to the other team, and the game ends when there are no players left on one team. A 5
Sit ups/pushups/jumping Jacks Tag None Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: 20+ (no specified teams) Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Two its are chosen, these individuals must chase the other players around the playing area; if an individual is tagged they must go to the side of the play area and perform 10 sit ups/pushups/jumping jacks (this depends on what you decide to have the students do). Once the player has executed the 10 repetitions of the movement they can return to the game and continue to play. Limbo with Panty Hose Panty Hose (multiple pairs) and Music Playing area: Small outdoor or indoor area Size of Group: If class is large can break into two groups to play 2 separate games Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Two individuals will hold either side of the panty hose at the same height as each player passes underneath the panty hose without touching the panty hose. They cannot bend forward, they must limbo (bend backwards). If the player touches the panty hose they are eliminated, and must stand to the side of the game. The panty hose will be moved down after everyone has had a chance to limbo under them. This will happen until there is only one person left standing, this person is called the winner. Pass the Chicken Rubber chickens (at least 5 1 chicken per group) Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: Divide the students into groups of 5 or 6 players Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Each group of 5 or 6 students will stand in a circle. Each group will be given a rubber chicken, they must pass the rubber chicken to one another as fast as they can; before a pass is made the player must call out the name of the person they re passing to. This play continues until someone drops the chicken, the individual who drops the chicken is eliminated from that round of play. Play continues until only one person is left. Multiple rounds can be played. A 6
Musical Chicken Rubber chickens (at least 5 1 chicken per group) Music Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space Size of Group: Divide the students into groups of 5 or 6 players Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Each group of 5 or 6 students will stand in a circle. Toss a chicken from person to person as music plays, when the music stops the person with the chicken in their hand gets assigned a letter C then H, and so on until the word chicken is spelled, the goal is to get no letters. If a player accumulates all the letters of the word chicken they are eliminated from the game. Keep It Up 1 balloon per student (as many as required) Playing area: Large open area, indoor or outdoor. Size of Group: 20+ (No specified groups) Time Required: 10-15 minutes Instructions: Each student has their own balloon, and the purpose of the activity is to prevent their balloon from touching the ground. The students are not to touch anyone else s balloons. Instruct the students to use various movements, such as using alternate hands to strike the balloon. If the balloon touches the ground they collect 1 point and can continue to play. The individual with the least number of points at the end of the game is the winner. Tarp Pull 4 tarps (1 for each group) Playing area: Large outdoor or indoor playing space (with start line and finish line marked) Size of Group: Divide the class into 4 equal size groups Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: 1 individual sits on the tarp, and two team members are appointed to pull that person on the tarp to the finish line. Once they pull the individual over the finish line the individual will get off of the tarp and stay at the finish line to cheer on the rest of their team members. The two pullers will run the tarp back to their group. Two more pullers will be chosen and another individual will sit on the tarp. They will repeat the movement until there is only two pullers left at the start line. The first team to pull their members across the finish line (with two pullers left at the start line) wins. A 7
Golf Ball Balancing Act 4 Ping Pong Paddles (1 per team) 4 golf balls (1 per team) 16 pylons (4 per team) Playing Area: Indoor or outdoor space (with start line marked) Pylons set up in line Size of Group: Divide the class into 4 equal size groups Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: The first team member will balance their golf ball on a ping pong paddle through between the pylons (following the pylons in an s shape) and back to the starting line. The next group member follows the same course. If the individual drops the ball at some point during the course they must retrieve the golf ball and return to the start line immediately and hand the ping pong paddle and golf ball to the next player in line and join the end of the line. One point is awarded for every successful completion of the course; a successful completion means that the individual finished the course without dropping the golf ball. Time Trials 4 pylons (1 per team) Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space (marked start line) Size of Group: Divide the class into 4 equal size groups Time Required: 10-20 minutes Instructions: A simple relay race; each team member must run around the pylon and back across the start line, once they cross the line the next player can start. To play longer, adapt the relay for a second game with running backwards movements, skipping or crab walking. The winning team is the team whose players all cross the finish line before the other team. A 8
Activities: Based on Healthy Eating Craft Nutrition Scissors Pencils Glue sticks Crayons Paper Newspapers Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Provide the participants with the equipment. Explain to them that the goal is to make a picture of their favourite healthy food. Provide the participants with a list of healthy foods to give them ideas of what they can make their picture of. Display the pictures afterword so that others can see their work. Nutrition Trivia Images of foods such as lasagna (with a list of ingredients on the back of the card) Score cards Size of Groups: Split the group into 2 teams Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: An image is shown to the players of a food item, and the goal is to guess the basic ingredients in the food item. The teams take turns guessing, and get a point for every correct guess. The team with the most points at the end of the round wins that round. The game continues until it is time to move on to the next activity. Where do I Belong? List of foods in various food groups Score card A small table (with tape marking the centre) Size of Groups: Split the group into 2 teams Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: The volunteer will first ask if the students know the food groups (answer must be yes to continue this game). One player from each team will come up to the table and put one hand on the edge of the table, the volunteer will say a food item (such as bread), the players will have to be the first to put their hand on the centre of the table, the first person gets to guess what food group the food belongs to. If they answer correctly their team gets a point, if they answer incorrectly the other team gets a chance to guess and get the point. Players are switched each time, the team with the most points at the end wins. A 9
Nutrition Facts Boxed or canned foods (anything with a nutritional facts label) need 2 of each of the same product Score card Size of Groups: Split the group into two teams Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: The volunteer will ask one player from each team to come up to the front. The volunteer will hand each player a product (both players will receive the same product). The students will then be asked to give a specific piece of nutritional information about the product, such as the serving size, the amount of calories per serving, the amount of protein in grams per serving, etc. The first individual to put up their hand to answer gives their answer, and if they are correct their team is awarded a point. Another teammate is given the chance to answer the next question, a different question will be asked. Another food can be given at any time. The team with the most points at the end wins. Snack Time 1 snack for each participant in the Play Day (this snack should be the same for everyone) Healthy Snack ideas: Whole grain crackers with cheese, 1 cup chocolate milk and Fig Newton cookie, yogurt cup with added granola cereal, 100% fruit juice with a small handful of raisins, salsa with whole wheat pita triangles, trail mix with dried fruit or nuts/seeds, veggies and low fat dip or salad dressing, fruit kebobs with yogurt dip, etc. 1 bottle of water for each participant Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Each individual receives a healthy snack, and everyone is given time to eat the snack. The garbage is thrown in the garbage, and each group moves on to the next activity once snack time is up. This is an important part of Play Day because it will ensure that the students have enough energy to take part in the rest of the day s activities. Meal Plan Paper Pencil Group Size: Groups of 5 people (as many groups as needed) Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: For Students Grade 4-6: Provide each group with a pencil and paper, their task is to create a healthy meal plan for one day (including a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack). They will then present their meal plan to the rest of the groups and explain why they chose those foods (for example, I chose to have 1 piece of whole wheat toast at breakfast because whole grains have lots of fibre) For Students Grades K-3: provide each group with coloured pencils and paper and have them draw their favourite healthy foods or snacks. Have them show their drawing to the class. A 10
Nutrition Bingo Class set of BINGO cards (with pictures of healthy foods in the squares) BINGO chips (can use beans, or pennies as a substitute) Group Size: Individuals Time Required: 15 minutes (can play multiple rounds) Instructions: The volunteer is the caller, they pull a card out of a hat and read the clue aloud, the name of the food will not be given, a clue will explain something about one of the foods on the cards (what it looks like, where it grows, another item that is similar size, etc.). The students will have to decipher the clue and place a bingo chip on the picture of that food. The first individual to get 5 chips in a row calls out BINGO. The volunteer will ensure that the student answered the clues correctly. If the answers are all correct that student gets a point, and a new round is started. What Fruit or Vegetable Am I? Pictures of fruits and vegetables (single picture of a variety of fruits and vegetables) Tape Group Size: 20+ (no teams) Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Tape a picture to a child s back. The student should not see which food item has been taped to their back. The student turns around and shows the other students the picture. The student must then ask yes or no questions to the group until he/she can guess which food item they are (For example, Do I have seeds?). Once the student guesses the picture they join the group and another student gets a turn, tape a different picture to their back, and have them go through the same process as the previous student. A 11
Activities: Based on Emotional Well-Being Stand Up and Be Proud If A list of statements that the volunteer will read aloud Playing area: Open space, either indoors or outdoors Group Size: 1 large group Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: Students sit on the ground, and a volunteer will call out a statement beginning with stand up and be proud if (Sentence can finish with a statement such as you are a good friend or you tried something new today or you have eaten 4 servings of fruits and vegetables today ). The students will then decide if they met that requirement, if they decide that they meet the requirement they stand up in front of their peers. The rest of the class then gives a round of applause to the students who are standing. This activity fosters individual feelings of pride due to recognition from their peers. Pass the Compliment 3 balls Music Playing area: Open space, either indoors or outdoors Group Size: Split the group up into 3 teams Time Required: 10 minutes Instructions: Each of the three groups forms a separate circle. Each circle is given a ball, the ball is passed within the circle (either to people beside you, or thrown across the circle) as music plays. When the music stops the individual holding the ball gives a compliment to the individual who just passed them the ball. Play continues, and more compliments are given. To make it more fun for older students you can increase the number of balls in each circle (each person holding a ball when the music stops will give a compliment each time). Positivity Tag 2 large balls (such as beach balls) Playing area: Large open space, can be indoors or outdoors Group Size: 1 large group Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: 2 students are named the positivity patrollers (in other words the its ). The positivity patrollers hold a large beach ball to show that they re it, when they touch another student they give them the beach ball and they now become a positivity patroller, when they receive the ball they must shout out a positive word such as awesome, fantastic or terrific to let others know that they have been tagged and are a new it. A 12
Folding the Tarp Large tarp/big sheet/blanket Playing area: Space indoors or outdoors that is large enough to hold all students and for the tarp to be laid out flat. Group Size: Everyone must work together Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Start with the tarp unfolded and set the goal of having all the students place at least one foot on the tarp. Explain to the students they are to work together and respect each other and encourage each other throughout the game as the challenge becomes more difficult. Once students are all on the tarp, congratulate them, have them step off the tarp, fold it in half and have students place one foot on the tarp again. Repeat the steps, making the space smaller each time. The tarp gets smaller and smaller and the students have to work together to be creative and include everyone on the tarp. Mission Possible Objects to be used to pass over and under legs (can be balls, paper, fruit, etc.) Mission Possible task sheet (1 per group) Music Playing area: Gymnasium/Outdoors Group Size: Groups of 5 or 6 students Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Complete all tasks on the Mission Possible task sheet with your group before the music ends (can reduce the number of tasks they are to complete if do not have enough time to complete all tasks). The tasks can be completed in any order. Groups cannot move to the next task until all group members have completed the current task. ** The Mission Possible Task Sheet can be found at www.atmybest.ca/kids/activities Silly Scavenger Hunt *the following are examples, you can things that you have already at your school instead of the items on the list A shoelace Pencil with an eraser Tennis ball Carrot Picture of a horse Toothpaste Leaf A shirt that is pink Blue socks A penny Playdough in the shape of an apple Soccer Ball Pylon A mitten from the lost and found A friend An autograph from a person with a loose tooth A book about healthy food A citrus fruit Playing area: Space where these items can be hidden, can work anywhere from a large open space to a classroom. Group Size: Groups of 2 or 3 students (as many groups as is necessary) Time Required: 15 minutes Instructions: Students work in teams of two or three to find as many things as they can on the list. They get points for the items as well as enthusiasm, cheers and teamwork. A 13
Helpful Handball 2 balls (1 per game) 1 box with problems/questions folded up inside 4 nets (2 per game) Playing area: Indoor or outdoor space with two playing fields set up (nets on either end of each game space) Group Size: 4 Groups (with 5 or 6 players each) Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: The teacher has a box of problems/questions in a box. They can be math problems or hypothetical social situations. The group is divided into four teams by random assignment, the teams play handball. One game is being played on each half of the playing area. They must pass to at least three people before scoring in the net. When the team scores, they work together to suggest a potential solution for the problem presented. The teams keep playing until the problem has a solution. Fabulous Fitness Fun ** can use any of the following equipment, or include other pieces you already have at your school Hula hoops Balls Bowling pins Bean bags Pinnies Pool noodles Pylons Utility balls Rubber chickens Playing area: Large open space, where each team will have enough space to work. Can be indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 3 to 4 students per group (as many groups as necessary) Time Required: 20 minutes Instructions: Each group is given one of the above pieces of equipment, they are tasked with coming up with a fun and fabulous activity to do with that piece of equipment in approximately 10 minutes. Some groups are asked to show their activity to the class for the remaining time. A 14
Resources The following books were used as guidance for activity creation: Play Day May Day provided activities entitled: Sponge Toss, Capture the Flag, Sandwich Tag, Under Over Ball, Musical Hula Hoops, Tree Tag, Water Balloon Toss, Rock Paper Scissors Tag, and Sit ups/pushups/jumping Jacks Tag. Zany Activities with Panty Hose, Boxer Shorts and Leotards provided activities entitled: Three Legged Partner Race, and Caterpillar Tag, and Limbo with Panty Hose. Zany Activities with a Rubber Chicken provided activities entitled: Pass the Chicken, and Musical Chicken Do It Daily For Life provided the activity entitled: Keep It Up. Sports Day: Making it Happen provided activities entitled: Tarp Pull, and Golf Ball Balancing Act. Adapt, Adopt, and Improve: Theme Games for K-6 provided activities entitled: Leap Frog Tag, and Hop, Hop, Hop, Stop, and Time Trials. After School Active Living provided the activity entitled: What Fruit or Vegetable Am I? The following website was used as guidance for activity creation: www.atmybest.ca provided activities entitled: Stand Up and Be Proud If, Pass the Compliment, Positivity Tag, Folding the Tarp, Silly Scavenger Hunt, Fabulous Fitness Fun, Mission Possible, and Helpful Handball. A 15