15 Winter Wonderland Adventures: Fun and Safe Outdoor Activities for Kids

Wintertime may be chilly, but it also transforms the outdoors into a magical playground! Don't let the cold keep you cooped up indoors. With the right activities and warm clothes, wintertime can be the perfect season for kids to stay active, burn energy, explore science, and make lasting memories.

1. Snowy Obstacle Course

Transform your backyard into a winter obstacle course! Use snow piles for climbing, avoid flying snowballs, set up tunnels with large cardboard boxes, and mark out zig-zag running paths with sticks. Add a challenge to see who completes the course the fastest.

Pro Tip: Ensure kids wear sturdy boots to prevent slipping and avoid wearing all black clothes or wear reflective apparel or reflective tape if it's getting dark.

2. Create a Snow Volcano

Create a volcano using the snow around a plastic water bottle (don't put the cap on). Pour some baking soda, food coloring, and vinegar into the plastic bottle, then watch it erupt!

The Science: The baking soda (a base) reacts with the vinegar (an acid) producing carbon dioxide gas, which creates the bubbly eruption.

3. Build a Snow Fortress

Go beyond the classic snowman and construct a snow fortress. This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and a bit of engineering. For some extra fun use the fortress as a snowball target. 

Safety Tip: Don't pack the snowballs too much, encourage soft, loose-packed snowballs to prevent injury and avoid throwing them at faces.

4. Ice Lanterns

Fill balloons with water, add a few drops of food coloring, and leave them outside overnight to freeze. Once solid, peel off the balloon and place an LED tea light inside for a glowing ice lantern.

The Science: Freezing traps the food coloring in the ice, creating beautiful colorful patterns. This experiment also demonstrates how water changes state from a liquid to a solid.

5. Snow Race

Get some fresh air and a good workout running in the snow! Create short or long-distance races to see who can cross the finish line first. For more of a challenge make it a multi-day challenge and see who can accrue the most snow miles during the winter time. Keep a chart to track all participants' miles and whoever has the most is the winner!

Fun Idea:  Participate in a virtual run - run the Iditarod and race with the sled dogs.

6. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Bundle up and head to the local park or trail for a winter scavenger hunt. Make a list of items like pinecones, animal tracks, icicles, snowmen, and unique leaves. Kids will love searching for these treasures while getting some exercise.

Fun Idea: Bring along a magnifying glass and inspect the various snowflake designs up close.

7. Ice Skating

If there's a local rink or frozen pond nearby (that's deemed safe), Ice skating is a wonderful way to stay active. For beginners, bring a chair or cone to help with balance.

Safety Tip: Always check the ice thickness with a professional if skating on a natural surface and ensure kids wear helmets and/or pads to protect against falls.

8. Sledding and Tobogganing

Sledding is a classic winter activity that never gets old! Find a safe hill away from roads, and let the kids zoom down the hill. Try organizing a sled race or building small ramps for an extra thrill.

Safety Tip: Avoid steep hills and make sure the area is clear of trees, rocks, or other hazards. If it's a chilly day some Vaseline on the cheeks and nose can help protect against the cold.

9. Make Frost on a Can

Fill a can halfway with ice and add a good amount of salt and some water. Wait a few minutes and watch the frost form on the outside of the can.

The Science: The salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing it to absorb heat from the can, making the surface cold enough for frost to form.

10. Winter Hiking and Wildlife Spotting

Many animals leave tracks in the snow, making it a perfect time to observe nature. Take a family hike and look for signs of deer, rabbits, squirrels, or birds. Bring binoculars to spot animals from a distance.

Safety Tip: Layer clothing and pack warm drinks like hot cocoa to enjoy the trail and stay warm.

11. Melting Race

Pack snowballs and place them on different materials (salt, sugar, cinnamon, black pepper) to see which one melts the fastest. Turn it into a game if you have a group of kids where each person picks one material and whoever snowball melts first is the winner!

The Science: Materials like salt lower the freezing point of snow, while darker materials absorb heat faster, speeding up the melting process.

12. Snow Painting

Bring some color to the white landscape with snow painting! Fill Spray bottles with water and food coloring and let the kids create colorful masterpieces in the snow.

Pro Tip: Create stencils out of cardboard for fun and unique designs

13. Frozen Bubble Fun

Blowing bubbles isn't just a summer activity! On especially cold days when the temperatures are below freezing, bubble solution freezes into icy orbs. Watch as the bubbles land and crystallize. Sometimes you might even see them crystallize as they float.

14. Cross-Country Skiing or Snowboarding

If you have access to the equipment, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing is a fantastic way to explore snowy trails while staying active. Many parks rent gear, making it accessible for beginners.

Pro Tip: Choose an appropriate slope or trail for your skill level. For younger kids choose the shorter trails to avoid fatigue or bunny hills to build up confidence to tackle the bigger skiing hills.

15. Winter Stargazing

On clear nights, the winter sky offers a stunning view of stars and constellations. Grab blankets, a thermos of hot chocolate, and a star chart or phone app to identify celestial wonders.

Winter Safety Tips

1. Dress in Layers

Start with moisture-wicking base layers, add insulating layers, and top with a waterproof jacket. Don't forget hats, gloves, scarves, and warm socks.

2. Stay Visible

Nightfall starts early, so add reflective gear, avoid dark clothing, and carry flashlights if you are out past dark.

3. Hydration

Kids still need plenty of water, even in cold weather. Keep water bottles handy.

4. Know When to Head Inside

Watch for signs of frostbite (red or pale skin, numb or tingling feeling) or hypothermia (shivering or fatigue) and head indoors to warm up.

5. Use Safe Areas

Conduct experiments away from icy patches or roads.

6. Leave No Trace

Leave the area as you found it to protect the environment.

Winter is a season full of opportunities for adventure and discovery. With these activities and precautions, your kids will stay active, healthy, and entertained all season long.

6 Benefits of Signing Up For a Turkey Trot: Why Your Kids Will Love Participating

Thanksgiving morning is often centered around kitchen prep, parades, and thoughts of a hearty feast to come. But there’s another growing tradition that families are embracing to kick off the holiday on a healthy and energetic note: the Turkey Trot!

A Turkey Trot is a fantastic activity for kids! These family-friendly, community-based fun runs or walks are a perfect way for kids to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, and be part of a festive community event held around Thanksgiving. 

Fun runs offer numerous benefits for children of all ages. Here are 6 reasons why your kids should lace up their sneakers and join in on the Turkey Trot fun this holiday season.

What is a Turkey Trot?

A Turkey Trot is typically a community fun run or walk held on or around Thanksgiving Day. These events vary in distance, with common options including a 10K (6.2 miles), 5K (3.1 miles), 1 mile fun run or even shorter kid’s dashes. Participants often wear festive costumes, like turkey hats or pilgrim outfits, adding to playful spirit of the day.

6 Benefits of a Turkey Trot

1. Promotes Physical Fitness

Participating in a Turkey Trot is an excellent way for kids to stay active. It encourages running or walking in a non-competitive and supportive environment, which helps build cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, boosts energy levels, and improves overall endurance. Whether they sprint, jog, or walk, kids are staying active and having fun while doing it. Plus, many Turkey Trots offer shorter distances under 5k that are more manageable for young runners, such as 1 mile fun runs or even shorter kids’ dashes.

2. Fosters a Sense of Community

Many Turkey Trots support local charities or food banks, so your family’s participation often helps a good cause. Kids can learn about the importance of giving back and feel part of something bigger as they run or walk with neighbors, friends and family members. 

Turkey Trots provide a great opportunity for kids to feel a sense of belonging and experience the joy of participating in something larger than themselves. The festive atmosphere - with costumes, music and cheering crowds -  adds to the fun and excitement, making it a memorable experience for children.

3. Builds Confidence

Crossing the finish line of any race, even a non-competitive one, is an achievement. Completing a Turkey Trot can boost your child’s self-esteem and give them a sense of accomplishment. They’ll take pride in knowing they finished what they started, which can inspire them to take on other challenges with confidence.

4. Teaches Healthy Habits

Thanksgiving is known for being a day of indulgence. Starting the day with a Turkey Trot helps balance the holiday spirit with physical activity. Kids will appreciate the feast even more after spending some energy, and it’s a great way to teach them the value of balancing treats with exercise. 

Introducing kids to activities like Turkey Trots, early on can instill lifelong healthy habits. It shows them that exercise can be fun and enjoyable, not just a chore. For kids who may not be involved in organized sports, a Turkey Trot can offer a less competitive way to be active.

5. Encourage Goal Setting and Achievement

Completing a Turkey Trot, whether they run, jog, or walk, helps kids set and achieve personal goals. Crossing the finish line gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence. If the event includes a medal or ribbon for participation, it’s an extra reward that reinforces the idea that effort and participation are valuable.

6. Fun family Tradition

Turkey Trots are designed to be inclusive and welcoming to participants of all ages and abilities, making them perfect for families. Whether you’re pushing a stroller or walking with a toddler, these events emphasize fun over competition, making them an ideal way for families to bond.

Many Families make participating in a Turkey Trot a Thanksgiving tradition, starting the holiday with physical activity before enjoying the feast. Kids enjoy the chance to dress up in fun, festive outfits or costumes related to Thanksgiving, like turkey hats or pilgrim costumes, which adds an element of playfulness.

Tips for a Kid-friendly Turkey Trot Experience

• Choose an age-appropriate distance: Pick a race length appropriate for your child’s age and fitness level. For younger kids, look for Turkey Trots that offer shorter routes, or separate kids’ races.

• Dress comfortably: Depending on where you live, Thanksgiving morning could be chilly. Make sure kids wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable running shoes.

• Add a costume: Get into the holiday spirit by dressing up! Kids love wearing fun, festive outfits, whether it’s a turkey headband, a shirt with a funny Thanksgiving graphic, or even a full head to toe costume.

• Hydrate and fuel-up: Even in cooler weather, staying hydrated is essential. A light snack before the run and staying hydrated is important for kids, especially if they’re running a longer distance.

• Warm-Up and stretch: Take a few minutes to warm up and stretch before the race to prevent any stiffness or soreness.

• Make it fun: Emphasize fun over competition. It’s all about enjoying the experience and creating positive memories, not necessarily winning.

Conclusion

Turkey Trots are more than just a race; they’re a fun, inclusive event that can help teach kids about fitness, community spirit, and setting goals. They also provide an active way to bond as a family and kick off the holiday season on a healthy note. Whether walking, jogging, or running, kids will benefit from participating and will likely look forward to making it a yearly tradition!

11 Fun and Active Fall Activities for Kids to Enjoy Outside

As the days grow colder and the leaves begin to change color, fall presents the perfect opportunity for kids to enjoy the outdoors. Crisp air and vibrant scenery create an inviting backdrop for a range of fun activities that keep children active and engaged. Whether You’re looking to encourage exercise, creativity, or simply some outdoor family bonding; here are some of the best fall activities for kids that make the most of this enchanting season.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Fall is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Create a list of items that are a mix between easy and slightly challenging to find in your area - think colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, or even a squirrel sighting. Hand each child a printed checklist or have then use their smartphones and set them loose in the backyard or at a local park. This activity sharpens observation skills, gets kids moving, and allows them to explore nature first hand.

Tip: You can add challenges like finding the brightest leaf or the biggest acorn to make it even more exciting, challenging, and fun competition.

2. Leaf Pile Jumping

A fall classic and a fun activity shared between family and friends. Work together to rake together a giant pile and be rewarded leaping into it, scatter it, and rake it up again for repeated fun.  This simple activity not only brings out giggles but is also a great way for kids to get their hearts pumping and body moving.

Safety Reminder: Make sure the leaf pile is in an open space and is free from sticks, hidden rocks, pine cones, anything that could be a potential hazard to ensure safe play.

3. Pumpkin Patch Visit

A trip to the pumpkin patch is a fall must. Not only is it a great opportunity to pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving, decorating, or making homemade pumpkin seeds, but many pumpkin patches offer additional activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Walking through rows of pumpkins and navigating a corn maze helps kids develop their sense of direction and keep active.

Activity Add On: When you return home, have a pumpkin-decorating contest using paint, markers, and stickers!

4. Outdoor Storytime and Picnic

Encourage a love for reading and the outdoors by organizing an outdoors story time. Spread a blanket under a tree, bring out a stack of autumn-themed books, and read aloud. Follow up the stories with a simple picnic full of fall treats like apple slices, cheese and pumpkin-flavored snacks. This relaxing activity is a perfect way to combine learning and leisure while soaking up the last of the mild weather.

5. Apple Picking Adventure

Apple picking is a great way to combine physical activity with a lesson in where food comes from. Visit a local orchard, and have your kids search for the best apples while reaching, climbing, and stretching to pluck fruit from the branches. Afterward, challenge them to come up with simple recipes like apple slices with peanut butter, honey, or homemade applesauce to enjoy their pickings.

Pro Tip: Teach Kids to choose apples by looking for ones that are firm and have a deep color.

6. DIY Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course in your backyard or at a local park. Use fall-themed items like hay bales, pumpkins, and ropes for jumping, crawling, and balancing challenges. Encourage kids to race each other or time themselves to see how quickly they can complete the course. This is a creative way to boost coordination, agility, and fitness.

Tip: Create a tunnel using boxes, weave through cones, jump over pool noodles or another item, create a balance beam using a wooden plank or spray painting a line in the grass. For an additional challenge you can designate “lava spots” kids have to avoid while navigating the obstacle course.

7. Bike Ride Through Fall Foliage

Autumn’s stunning landscape is best appreciated on a leisurely bike ride. Pick a trail or safe park path where the fall foliage is at its best, and encourage the kids to take in the views as they ride. Biking is an excellent cardiovascular activity that strengthen the muscles and builds endurance, all while allowing kids to enjoy the outdoors.

8. Fall Themed Relay Races

Organize relay races with a twist by incorporating fall props. Create events like a pumpkin carry (balancing a mini pumpkin while running), sack races with fall-colored burlap sacks, or a relay that requires kids to race to collect different types of leaves. Friendly competition makes exercise fun and helps develop teamwork skills.

9. Chalk Art on Fall Walks

Take a walk through your neighborhood armed with colorful chalk and creativity. Encourage kids to draw leaves, pumpkins, and friendly ghosts on sidewalks or driveways. It’s a simple activity that keeps them active as they bend, draw, and move along the path. Plus, it spreads seasonal cheer for your neighbors to enjoy.

10. Bonfire Evening with Active Games

Cap off a day of fall fun with a cozy bonfire and active games. Kids can play flashlight tag, hide and seek, or kickball before gathering around the fire to warm up and roast marshmallows. These games keep them active, improve reflexes, and provide them with great stories to share the next day.

11. Signing Up For a Turkey Trot

A Turkey Trot is a fantastic activity for kids. A family-friendly, and community based fun run is held around Thanksgiving and offer numerous benefits for children of all ages. Participating in a Turkey Trot is a fun running activity that helps build cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, teaches healthy habits; that running and exercise can be fun and enjoyable, encourages goal-setting and achievement among many other benefits.

Conclusion

Fall is a season full of charm, color, and countless opportunities for outdoor play. By incorporating some of these activities into your autumn weekends, you’ll help your kids stay active, make the most of the season, and create warm memories that will last well beyond the final leaf drop. So grab your sweatshirts and head outside - there’s plenty of fall fun waiting!

10 Outdoor Games for Kids: Fun Summer Time Outdoor Activities

1. Tug of War

Create two teams. One team on each side of the rope. Depending on the size of the teams, Use a rope that's 25–120 ft long, depending on your team size. Have a marker to designate the center of the playing field. Then, mark 13–15 ft on either side from the center mark The idea of the game is that each team will pull the rope, and the first team to get their mark over the center mark wins the game.

2. Red Light Green Light

One person (either a camp counselor or one of the players) stands at the front of the playing field, playing the role of the “traffic light.” The rest of the players stand a certain distance away from the traffic light, but close enough to hear the commands. The traffic light will have their back turned to the players (or hands over their eyes). The traffic light will shout “green light,” or “red light”. Green light means the players can move closer either walking or running. “Red light” means that the players must stop. When the traffic light shouts “red light” they can look and anyone caught still moving during “red light” will be eliminated. The object of the game is to reach the traffic light without being caught.

3. Land, Air, Sea

Have three parallel lines of equal distance apart - if you're playing in a gym you can use the boundary lines and mid court line. If you're playing outside you can make your own lines and designate each line to either be “land”, “air”, or “sea”. All players will start at the middle line. 

One person will stand in front of the middle line calling out commands. That person can call out “land” and all the players will have to run to that designated line labeled “land”. If any players go to the wrong line they are out. If the person calls out “land” and the players are already there and their feet leave the line, they are out. The person calling out the commands can also call out multiple commands such as, “land, air, land, sea,” and the players must listen for the last command - that's the one that matters.

4. Musical Chairs

Set up the chairs in two rows back-to-back. There should be one less chair for the number of people playing - if you have 15 people playing you would set up 14 chairs. The game will start with everyone circling the chairs as the music plays. Once the music stops, it’s a dash to see who can sit down first to avoid elimination. As the game continues and people are eliminated, chairs will continue to be taken away until only one chair remains to crown a winner.

5. Balloon Toss

Fill one gigantic balloon with water, glitter, sparkles, and/or confetti. Space everyone out in a large circle, roughly one or two feet away from each other. Then, the players will pass or throw the balloon around the circle, trying not to pop it. Have backup balloons in case the game goes quick cause who doesn’t want to pop a balloon filled with glitter and sparkles

6. Water Balloon Fight

Fill up plenty of water balloons for both teams to throw at each other. For some added fun you can add coloring or glitter that easily washes off. The team least covered in color or glitter wins.

7. Steal the Bacon

Split the group evenly into two groups and sit them with their backs turned towards the center line, approximately 20 feet apart. Assign numbers to each player on both sides from one to the final person. At the end, each team will have a number 1, 2, etc. In the center place a ball. When you call out a number, the goal is to be the first to reach the ball and bring it back to your side without being tagged by the other person. If you make it back safely, your team scores a point, if you are tagged, the ball goes back in the middle, and a new number is called.

8. ABC Basketball

Children sit in a large circle and pass the basketball around the circle (like a hot potato) while singing the alphabet. Whoever has the ball when the group gets to the letter Z must go to the basket and try to make a shot. If a player makes the shot, he/she takes their seat in the circle. If they miss it, they are out.

9. Crab Walk Soccer

Two teams sit on lines a short distance apart. Players on both teams are assigned a number, starting with one on each team. Place the soccer ball in the center. Someone calls out a number. The player from each team who is assigned that number crab walks to the center and attempts to get the ball over the opponent’s goal line. When a point is scored, the ball is returned to the center and another number is called. Team members may help but not score.

10 Sponge Relay

Create two teams and have them line up behind a starting line. Each team gets a small empty bucket and a large sponge. At the finish line, place two larger buckets filled with water. On the word go, the first person in line must run to their team’s water bucket, dunk the sponge in, run back with it, and squeeze all the water from the sponge into the team’s empty bucket. The wet sponges must be carried above their heads as they run back from the water buckets. They then pass the sponge to the next person, and so on until one team fills up their empty bucket with water. That team wins.

Build Better Behavior with Running: Benefit From Having a Running Program

Perhaps you’ve had this happen to you as a kid, or maybe to one of your own children: after forgetting to complete your homework or throwing a little tantrum in the classroom, you were denied recess time. Instead of enjoying recess time, you were forced to sit quietly at your desk and complete schoolwork. 

It’s quite a common practice for teachers and administrators to deal with unruly behavior.  In fact, a 2006 study from the CDC confirmed that a whopping 81.5 percent of elementary schools allowed faculty to exclude students from recess as a form of punishment.1 This probably stems from the misconception that kids running around during recess rewards the student for improper behavior. 

However, this disciplinary method is counterproductive—and can cause even more difficulties in the classroom. To see fewer of these issues, get kids running. You read that right, and to be clear, we are not suggesting using running as a form of punishment. 

It makes sense. The more kids exercise and run, the more energy they burn—allowing them to reenter the classroom with a fresher, calmer mindset. In 2010, researchers conducted a study on elementary school children, comparing kids’ behavior in class on recess and non-recess days. Without a doubt, the students were more on task and less fidgety during the recess days. Jarrett and her colleagues also noted all the children with ADD benefited from the exercise. 2 

Additionally, a separate study in 2019 examined student behavior in the classroom after implementing a run club program. The results showed that classroom behavior significantly improved after participating in the run club—the results were a difference that was “not seen prior to the start of the program.” The researchers went on to conclude that physical activity can decrease disruptive activity in the classroom. 

This isn’t surprising. Our customers have repeated this since the 1990s. A Mileage Club during recess reduces playground hassles and allows kids to run off their energy so they can settle down and more effectively learn. 

Besides getting much-needed exercise and physical activity, run clubs also promote social interaction between peers, provide brain breaks after studying long and hard, and encourage kids to get creative and use their imaginations. But above all else, be reassured that a fun and engaging run club like Mileage Club also helps kids rein in their emotions and behavioral outbreaks. 

If you aren’t running yet, don’t you think your school could benefit to improve in this area? 

❄️Treat Your Students To Their Own Run Through the Snow! ❄️

In honor of our  "Race With The Sled Dogs Program", we asked Coach White from Orion Elementary in Anchorage, what it’s like to operate a run club for students in Alaska. Here is what she said...

Do students run outside in the snow or inside the school?

We run outside in the snow. Getting fresh air is important, especially during the long, cold, dark winter months. On Dec 21st, Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year, we typically only have 6 hours of daylight here in Anchorage. The sun doesn't rise until about 10am and sets by 4pm. Further north in the Arctic Circle, they have several weeks where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon at all!

How cold does it get? 

I've seen it as cold as -20 here in Anchorage. Further north in Fairbanks it is common for it to reach -40 in the winter. Our typical winter temp is about 20 degrees for a high and in the teens or single digits overnight.

Do you use EZ Scan to scan laps? Does the tablet work when it is really cold outside? 

Yes, we use EZ Scan to keep track of our mileage during the running season. We keep our iPads inside the entryway in the window sill facing out so that kids can scan through the window after each lap and the iPads stay nice and warm!"

Interview Date: 2019

 

Meeting SHAPE Distance Learning Guidelines

We have selected a handful of action points from the SHAPE Distance Learning Guidelines on the left and show how Fitness Finders can help you meet them on the right.

Curriculum

“Continually assess and revise online courses to keep up with trends, technology, and content.”

Fitness Finders does this for you! Our EZ Scan® app automatically updates at no extra cost and works with the latest devices. Content changes are based on current trends in physical education and feedback from users in all 50 states.

“Address all state and/or national physical education content standards, including any other required standards (Common Core, ELA, Technology, etc.).”

Getting the recommended 60 minutes of activity a day is no problem with Mileage Club®. Mileage Club works before, during, or after school. It can be done outdoors, indoors, and even at home. And it’s an easy, low-cost way to get and keep kids moving. Mileage Club is flexible, accommodates all students, and kids love the rewards. It is the best way to meet multiple state and national standards for physical activity.

Learning Environment

“Get parents involved with their child’s learning.”	Parents can be involved in Mileage Club in many ways! From simple encouragement as children reach their goals to walking laps with them. Parents can be there for their kids every step of the way! With EZ Scan, teachers can share their child’s individual reports with parents to keep them up-to-date on progress. For greater involvement, teachers can send the EZ Scan Activity Recording Sheet & Instruction or a QR Card with instructions home to parents.
“Allow for student choice so students can choose where, when, and how to be physically active.”	Flexibility is a critical component of Mileage Club® and EZ Scan®. Complete laps any time of day - anywhere! Set a course anywhere you’d like and record laps, reps, and minutes of activity – anyway, they can be done! A great resource we offer is our EZ Scan Activity Recording Sheet & Instruction has the equivalency chart with the purpose of allowing the choice of exercise by converting any activity to minutes of walking/running. Available online or by mail.
“Balance screen time and physical activity time.”	With EZ Scan®, you can access reports that give time stamps and quickly let you see the amount of time spent walking/running!

Assessment

“Utilize technology to verify participation and support learning gains in physical activity to meet the CDC physical activity recommendations of 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous physical activity per day.”

As mentioned before - EZ Scan® will do this job for you! Just have the students scan their laps or minutes of activity. You’ll be able to generate reports with all of the information needed to know if students are getting their 60 minutes of exercise per day.

Standards-Based Instruction

“Students compare and contrast data collected (e.g., heart rate, video of the performance) against criteria and/or previous analyses.”	EZ Scan reports can be generated in any time frame that you’d like. So, comparing results from day-to-day or week-to-week will be a breeze. As an account administrator, you will just need to send them the data, such as the individual student report and timed run reports. Both of these would allow students to compare and contrast their progress over time.
“Students generate data (e.g., heart rate, number of sit-ups, etc.) by performing health-related physical fitness assessments.”	Let EZ Scan make your timed run very EZ. Students simply scan a QR card with each completed lap. The report details the # of laps, total time, and splits for each student.
“Students choose, present and/or discuss relevant assessments to measure a physical fitness component (e.g., muscular strength, agility, coordination)”	EZ Scan reports provide relevant metrics related to distance and frequency as well as progress overtime. Also, equivalencies give a great framework for time-based, calorie-based, and distance-based comparisons.

More Takeaways!

“One of the four essential components of physical education is assessment — the gathering of evidence about student achievement in all areas of instruction to make inferences about student progress.”	An assessment has never been such a quick task! The reports generated from an EZ Scan account can give you all the data you need to present to students, parents, and administration showing off how much they have accomplished in your run club in a given timeframe. One great example is the Timed Run reports.
“Activity tracker - Activity trackers are wearable devices or computer applications that record daily physical activity along with other data relating to fitness or health, such as heart rate, the number of steps taken, or even calories burned.”	EZ Scan is the #1 lap tracking software on the market. Not to mention it is affordable – only $149.95/year and handles up to 1,500 students! Plus, if you ever need help, we offer free tech support Mon-Fri during our office hours.
“Verification of learning is perhaps one of the teachers’ biggest concerns with OLPE (Daum & Buscher, 2012; Trent 2016), while students struggle with the meaningfulness and challenge of assignments. Creators of online courses need to pay special attention to meaningful assessments that challenge students in real-world contexts.”	Verify that your students are learning by allowing them to complete the same exercises at school as they will at home. This can quickly be done with Mileage Club and equivalencies because, as we’ve mentioned, they can be completed anytime, anywhere, to give your students real-world context through independent work! When you choose to start a Mileage Club, it will be the last curriculum choice you have to make for incorporating structured physical activity. Mileage Club is so simple that you will only need to teach the lesson once. After that, students know to get their QR Scan card and scan as they complete laps to earn their awards. No more worrying about coming up with new lesson plans on the fly.
“All students must be afforded the same opportunities to participate in public school programs. The students must be provided accommodations and modifications as necessary, based on the individualized education program (IEP) team decisions.”	Mileage Club can be done by anyone, anywhere, any time of the day and our equivalencies make this even more true as they can turn any activity into minutes walked/ran, such as pushups if they are unable to go outside. You can accommodate all interests and abilities.
“Teachers must make more of a concerted effort to connect when in a distance learning environment. Students need to feel like part of their school community and that they are cared for to learn. Develop strategies to connect with students if your school/ district will not be facilitating online learning or if students will not be able to meet online due to limited accessibility at home (e.g., create assignments focused on getting to know each other, facilitate pen pals).”	Connect with students by achieving personal and group goals together! Start a Mileage Club program and keep track of their awards and data with EZ Scan. You can do this for one school, or connect your entire district! Plus, they will be able to participate in the same program from home or at school. When they have reached their goals, be sure to give them a physical reminder of their success, such as a Toe Token and a necklace to display it on.

Bonus Thoughts from Fitness Finders

“Do an inventory of your current curriculum and determine which lessons or activities can be repurposed as at-home work or for online use (depending on students’ access to technology). There may be lessons or activities within your current curriculum that can easily be adapted for students to complete at home or online.”	Mileage Club seamlessly adapts to a home learning setting. With EZ Scan, you just make sure your students have their QR card and can log in, and they can get moving. Parents are also able to help out by becoming scanners and supervisors. As an administrator, you can securely give parents access to EZ Scan to allow students to use the same software to complete laps like they would at school.
“Make sure expectations are realistic for students, especially for younger students if they require assistance from an adult to complete assignments. Consider the home dynamics of your students as referenced earlier in the section on Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.”	Setting realistic expectations to be met from home can be a tough job. However, EZ Scan and Mileage club make this easy! Mileage Club can be done by anyone at any time. If they’re unable to complete laps, just have them use the equivalency chart. If they can complete laps, have them use EZ Scan to record their data. If they can’t use EZ Scan, just have them send you a recording sheet that you can manually enter into the system. Because EZ Scan is so simple and because we have you covered for all situations, you can expect all of your students to get the proper amount of activity at home without making it unrealistic.
“Can special events or activities still be done remotely (e.g., At-Home Family Field Day)?”	Mileage Club creates consistency because it can be done both at school and at home. So, if the time comes where you have a shift to online learning, your curriculum is already setup, and the students know exactly what to do! The program can be done at the same time each day, and completing laps for mileage is a consistent activity by nature as each can be done the same way each time. Special events and activities can still be done at home, just like at school. Host field days, award days, jog-a-thons, or even just daily sessions remotely with ease. This allows you to maintain critical ESL components of teaching and will give your students structured activities that can be done when they are away from school. This is also true even if some students are learning from home while some are in class.