5 Ways to Keep Kids Active This Summer (And Prep for School Success)

Summer break doesn’t have to mean a break from healthy habits. In fact, summer is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a successful, energized school year. As screen time rises and structure disappears, movement and activity often fall by the wayside - but with a few simple strategies, families and educators can encourage kids to keep moving and developing healthy habits before they head back to class. With a little creativity, you can keep kids moving and mentally primed for a strong return to the classroom.

Here are five engaging ways to build healthy habits over the summer:

1. Make Movement a Daily Routine

Children thrive on routines. Whether it’s a morning dance party or a walk before dinner, weaving in daily physical activity helps build structure and keeps energy levels in check. Even 15-minute sessions can improve mood and focus. Try “movement breaks” between reading or chores.

2. Family Fitness Time & Challenges

Nothing motivates like a little friendly competition! Try a “30-day move more challenge,” tracking how many minutes of movement each family member gets each day. Use visual trackers, stickers, or even Toe Tokens to gamify progress. Walks, bike rides, or backyard games build connection and stamina.

3. Use Short Bursts of Activity

Kids don’t need hours of exercise to stay fit - research shows even a few minutes of vigorous movement can make a difference. Try jump rope sprints, 2-minute stretch breaks, or backyard obstacle courses between reading or video time.

4. Set Fun Goals with Rewards

Instead of ice cream treats, reward consistency with something fun and active. Use Toe Tokens or sticker charts to keep motivation high. Have a Twirl Flag dance session, a picnic hike, or the opportunity to “lead” a family fitness activity.

5. Start Setting School Goals

If your child’s school uses movement tools like Toe Tokens or class fitness trackers, talk about them now! Encourage your child to set a goal for how many tokens they want to earn in the first month back. Starting now builds excitement and accountability.

6. Create a Mini “Summer Challenge”

Who can log the most jumping jacks this week?

7. Incorporate Brain Breaks

Even small 2-minute bursts of movement can boost focus.

Teacher Tip: Consider sending a short summer “movement challenge” home to parents to keep kids engaged and ready for your classroom environment.

Pro Tip: Use Fitness Finders Twirl Flags or student fitness kits for fun summer rewards or as a jumpstart to back-to-school routines.

Ready to turn summer play into school success? Check out our easy movement tools for kids.

Energize Your Camp with Fun Games and Fitness Finders Tokens

Summer camp is the perfect time for kids to stay active, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Incorporating engaging games into your camp schedule not only promotes physical activity but also fosters teamwork and communication. To add an extra layer of motivation and recognition, consider integrating Fitness Finders tokens into these activities. These colorful, collectible charms serve as tangible rewards, encouraging campers to participate, excel, and have fun.

🏕️ Classic Camp Games & Token Pairings

1. Capture the Flag

 Game Overview:
A timeless outdoor game where two teams compete to capture each other's flag from their respective territories and return it to their own base without being tagged.

Token Pairing:

• Toe Tokens – Awarded to team members who successfully capture the flag or demonstrate exceptional strategy.
  
  

• Star Charm – Given to the team that captures the flag first, recognizing their teamwork and agility.
  
  

2. Water Balloon Toss

 Game Overview:
Campers pair up and toss a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. The last pair with an unbroken balloon wins.

Token Pairing:

• Sun Token – Presented to the winning pair, celebrating their success under the summer sun.
  
  

• Flower Token – Given to pairs who show the most teamwork and coordination.
  
  

3. Tug of War

Game Overview:
Two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, aiming to drag the other team across a designated line.

Token Pairing:

• Walker Award – Awarded to the winning team, symbolizing their strength and determination.
  
  

• Key Award – Given to the team that demonstrates the best sportsmanship and encouragement.
  
  

4. Scavenger Hunt

Game Overview:
Campers are given a list of items to find or tasks to complete within a certain time frame. The team that finds the most items or completes the most tasks wins.

Token Pairing:

• Compass Token – Presented to the team that finds the most items, guiding them to victory.
  
  

• Rocket Token – Given to the team that completes the tasks the fastest, highlighting their speed and efficiency.
  
  

5. Gaga Ball

Game Overview:
A fast-paced game played in a hexagonal pit where players try to hit opponents with a soft ball below the knees.

Token Pairing:

• 10K Medal – Awarded to the last player remaining in the pit, recognizing their endurance and agility.
  
  

• Glow Walker – Given to players who demonstrate exceptional skill and strategy during the game.
  
  

6. Flashlight Tag

Game Overview:
Played after dark, one camper is "it" and uses a flashlight to tag others. Tagged players become "it.”

Token Pairing:

• Glow Walker – Presented to the camper who avoids being tagged the longest.
  
  

• Star Charm – Given to the camper who tags the most players, recognizing their keen observation skills.
  
  

7. Balloon Pop Relay

Game Overview:
Teams race to pop balloons by sitting on them, one at a time, until all balloons are popped.

Token Pairing:

• Number Tokens (30, 45, 60, etc.) – Awarded based on the number of balloons popped, encouraging friendly competition.
  
  

• Sun Token – Given to the team that completes the relay the fastest, celebrating their energy and enthusiasm.
  
  

8. Sleeping Bag Race

Game Overview:
Campers hop to the finish line inside their sleeping bags, racing against each other.

Token Pairing:

• Flower Token – Presented to the camper who shows the most creativity in their hopping technique.
  
  

• Heart Token – Given to the camper who demonstrates the best sportsmanship and encouragement to others.
  

🎯 Tips for Implementing Tokens in Games

• Set Clear Criteria: Define what actions or achievements will earn tokens to ensure fairness and clarity.
  
  

• Display a Token Chart: Create a visual chart showing available tokens and their corresponding achievements to motivate campers.
  
  

• Offer a Token Exchange: Allow campers to trade tokens for small prizes or privileges, adding an element of choice and excitement.
  
  

• Encourage Teamwork: Use tokens to recognize group achievements, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among campers.
  
  

Integrating Fitness Finders tokens into your summer camp games not only enhances the fun but also reinforces positive behaviors and achievements. By recognizing campers' efforts with these colorful tokens, you create an environment that celebrates success and encourages continued participation.

Create Opportunities for Kids to Run, Play, and Exercise - Double the Fun by Getting Outdoors

 Celebrate being outdoors with a purpose, a little motivation, possible rewards, and mostly for fun.

At Fitness Finders, we believe that celebrating movement with meaningful rewards helps kids:

• Build consistency in physical activity.

• Feel proud of their efforts (not just results).

• Stay engaged through fun and play.

Why Rewards Work

When kids know there’s a goal to reach - or a cool token to earn - it gives them a sense of purpose. It’s not about competition; it’s about progress and participation.

Research shows that intrinsic motivation grows when kids associate physical activity with fun, accomplishment, and recognition - not pressure. And small, tangible rewards (like our colorful tokens) help reinforce that positive connection.

How to Use Tokens for Play Outside Day

Here are a few fun ways to use Fitness Finders tokens with your students or kids:

• Outdoor Bingo

Complete a row of outdoor activities (like hopscotch, nature walks, or jumping jacks) to earn a reward. Make things more interesting or challenging to see if you can get multiple bingos, or fill up the whole bingo card. Reward kids with a special Fitness Finders token for completing a Bingo, or reward them with a token that corresponds with each outdoor activity they complete - frog jumps, walking, jumping jacks, run like a rocket, etc…

Download a free printable bingo activity board. 

• Play Outside Pledge

Track 30 minutes of outdoor play for 5 days and reward with a star, flower, or sun token.

Download a free printable fitness tracker.

• Group Challenge

Get the whole class or family active and create a group goal - e.g. tally the total # minutes outside. Add a little twist and make it required for everyone to be outside at the time for the minutes to count and celebrate with a group reward.

• Kindness in the Outdoors

Recognize kids who help clean up a playground, invite a friend to play, or show great sportsmanship.

Why Does It Matter?

• Kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day according to the CDC.

• Outdoor play improves mood, focus, and sleep - for kids and adults!

• Physical activity helps build strong muscles, bones, and confidence.

• Studies show that kids who play outside regularly have lower stress levels and do better in school.

Movement + Recognition = Motivation

Pairing physical activity with positive recognition helps kids feel seen, builds confidence, and encourages them to keep moving. National Play Outside and National Fitness Day is the perfect time to start - or refresh - that habit.

Fun + Fitness = Happy, Healthy Kids

Here’s how you can celebrate these two movement-filled days with your students or kids at home:

• Create a backyard or recess obstacle course

Use cones, jump ropes, or even sidewalk chalk!

• Go on a nature walk or scavenger hunt

Add movement and mindfulness

• Launch a mini fitness challenge

10 jumping jacks, 10 squats, 10 toe touches … repeat!

• Free play for the win

Sometimes the best fitness is unstructured. Let kids run, explore, and get messy!

Make Movement Stick with Rewards That Matter

At Fitness Finders, we make getting active fun and meaningful. Our colorful tokens and awards are perfect for recognizing effort, teamwork, or sticking with a new fitness goal. Try our outdoor-themed tokens to mark milestones and keep kids motivated.

Let’s Move Together

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or coach, National Play Outside Day and National Fitness Day are great reminders that movement doesn’t have to be complicated - it just needs to be consistent.