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.

Inspiring Kids to Get Active and Stay Healthy

Every year, National Exercise Day is celebrated on April 18th as a reminder of the importance of physical activity for people of all ages. While adults may think of exercise as going to the gym or running, for kids, exercise should be all about fun, movement, and play.

With increasing screen time and busy schedules, many children aren’t getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. As parents and educators, we have the power to make exercise an enjoyable and natural part of kids' lives. Here’s how we can celebrate National Exercise Day and encourage kids to stay active all year long.

Why Exercise Is Important for Kids

1. Builds Strong Bodies

Regular exercise helps develop strong muscles and bones, improves coordination, and enhances flexibility. It also helps prevent obesity and promotes a healthy heart.

2. Boost Brain Power

Active kids tend to focus better in school, retain information more easily, and perform better academically. Exercising has been shown to improve memory, problem-solving skills, and creativity.

3. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

Physical activity releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones that help reduce stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of ADHD. Exercise helps kids feel happier, more relaxed, and ready to take on challenges.

4. Encourages Social Skills

Group activities like playing tag, riding bikes with friends, or participating in sports teach teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

5. Establishes Healthy Habits for Life

When kids learn to enjoy physical activity from a young age, they are more likely to continue exercising into adulthood, reducing their risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

How to Make Exercise Fun for Kids

The key to getting kids excited about exercise is to make it feel like play rather than a chore. 

Here are some creative ways to keep them moving:

1. Turn Exercise into a Game

• Obstacle Courses - Set up cones, chairs, and ropes in the backyard or living room for kids to jump over, crawl under, and race through.

• Scavenger Hunts - Create an active scavenger hunt where kids have to run, jump, or do a silly move to find clues.

• Freeze Dance - Play music and have kids dance. When the music stops, they have to freeze in place.

2. Get Moving as a Family

• Go for a walk, bike ride, or nature hike together.

• Have a family dance party or do a kids’ workout video.

• Play interactive games like charades or Simon Says with an active twist.

3. Incorporate Exercise into Daily Routines

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Walk or bike instead of driving when possible.

• Do quick movement breaks in between homework or screen time.

4. Encourage Outdoor Play

Fresh air and movement go hand in hand! Encourage kids to:

• Play at the park or playground.

• Ride bikes, scooters, or roller skates,

• Climb trees, jump rope, or play hopscotch.

5. Introduce Sports and Activities

Not all kids enjoy traditional team sports, and that’s okay! Help them explore different options like:

• Swimming

• Martial arts

• Gymnastics

• Dance

• Rock climbing

• Yoga

6. Use Technology in a Healthy Way

If kids love screens, use them to encourage movement! Try:

• Interactive video games that involve dancing or sports.

• Fitness apps with fun challenges for kids.

• Virtual reality (VR) games that require physical movement.

Celebrating National Exercise Day in Schools and Homes

For Educators:

• Organize a school-wide fitness challenge with fun activities throughout the day.

• Plan active learning breaks where kids do jumping jacks, stretches, or quick games between lessons.

• Host a relay race or sports day with different activity stations.

For Parents:

• Plan an active playdate with friends at a park or trampoline gym.

• Set up a daily movement goal and reward kids for completing it.

• Take an evening walk or do a fun physical challenge together

Making Movement a Habit

National Exercise Day is a great time to introduce new ways to stay active, but the goal is to keep kids moving all year round. By making exercise fun and engaging, we can help children develop a lifelong love of movement that will benefit their physical and mental health for years to come. 

Hard Work, Dedication, and Health Habits: National Student-Athlete Day

 National Student-Athlete Day (April 6) is a time to recognize the commitment, discipline, perseverance, and achievements of student-athletes across the country. Balancing academics and athletics is no easy feat, but student-athletes embody the importance of hard work, time management, and living a healthy, active lifestyle.

This day is not only about celebrating achievements in sports but also about encouraging all students to embrace fitness, teamwork, and perseverance - values that go beyond the playing field. A company that aligns perfectly with this mission is Fitness Finders Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting physical activity, goal-setting, and motivation for students of all fitness levels.

One creative way to enhance the celebration is by incorporating Fitness Finders tokens, which serve as motivational tools to track progress, reward effort, and foster a sense of accomplishment.

What is National Student-Athlete Day?

Founded by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) in 1987, this holiday recognizes student-athletes for their success in both sports and academics. It also highlights the positive impact athletics have on character development, leadership, and overall well-being. Schools, communities, and organizations across the country celebrate this day by honoring student athletes and promoting the importance of fitness and education.

How Fitness Finders, Inc. Supports Student-Athletes and Active Kids

Fitness Finders, Inc. is well known for its innovative programs that encourage kids to stay active, set goals, and celebrate their achievements. Their Mileage Club, for example, is a fantastic way to promote movement in schools, making fitness fun and rewarding for students of all athletic abilities. Here’s how Fitness Finders can tie into National Student-Athlete Day:

1. Encouraging Daily Physical Activity

While student-athletes dedicate hours to training, it’s important for all students to get daily exercise. Programs like Mileage Club make fitness accessible to every child, helping them track progress and build lifelong healthy habits. Schools can use this initiative to encourage movement beyond organized sports.

To encourage year-round fitness, teams can launch a Student-Athlete Fitness Challenge leading up to April 6, where athletes earn Fitness Finders Tokens for:

• Completing a certain number of workouts.

• Achieve recovery and nutrition goals.

• Participating in cross-training activities.

2. Rewarding Hard Work and Commitment

Fitness Finders offers incentives and awards that recognize students who put in hours of training and their fitness achievements. On National Student-Athlete Day, these rewards can be used to acknowledge student-athletes for their dedication both in sports and in academics. Coaches and athletic departments can use tokens to recognize key achievements such as:

• Reaching a personal best in their sport.

• Demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship.

• Achieve academic excellence while competing.

3. Making Fitness Fun for Everyone

Not every student is on a school sports team, but all students can benefit from staying active. Schools can celebrate this day by launching a school-wide challenge using Fitness Finders’ tools to encourage all students - not just athletes - to engage in friendly competition and physical activity.

4. Promoting Goal-Setting and Perseverance

Student-athletes learn valuable lessons in setting goals, staying motivated, and pushing through challenges. Fitness Finders reinforces these skills by encouraging kids to set personal fitness goals, track progress, and celebrate milestones - helping them build a growth mindset.

5. Encouraging Teamwork and Leadership

National Student-Athlete Day is about more than just a competition. It’s about leadership and teamwork. Schools can distribute tokens for:

• Helping a teammate improve.

• Volunteering in community sports programs.

• Displaying leadership qualities on and off the field.

6. Hosting National Student-Athlete Day Events

Schools and organizations can integrate Fitness Finders into their National-Student-Athlete Day celebrations by:

• Organizing a “Run with the Athletes” challenge, where student-athletes run alongside younger students using the Mileage Club program.

• Hosting a fitness relay where students of all skill levels work together to complete movement-based challenges.

• Rewarding student-athletes with Fitness Finders tokens and awards to recognize their efforts in both academics and athletics.

Celebrating National Student-Athlete Day with Fitness and Fun

This holiday is a chance to inspire all students to embrace movement, sportsmanship, and a balanced lifestyle. Whether a child is a competitive athlete or just starting their fitness journey, National Student-Athlete Day - paired with tools from Fitness Finders Inc - can make physical activity an exciting and rewarding experience for everyone.

So, let’s celebrate student-athletes, promote movement, and encourage kids to stay active, stay strong, and have fun.