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Celebrate Lights On Afterschool with these last-minute ideas

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Celebrate Lights On Afterschool with these last-minute ideas

The time has come: we are officially one week out from Lights On Afterschool day! Did you think it was too late to join in the celebration? Well, think again! Whether you want to partake in the Lightbulb Challenge or light up a local landmark, here are some ways to get involved in Lights On Afterschool (even at the last minute)!

1. The Lightbulb Challenge! We're hosting a social media challenge to recreate our Lights On logo! Just strike the pose, snap a photo, and post it on social media with a message of support for afterschool and the handle of the person you're challenging to participate. Be sure to tag #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool so we can share your post!

2. Connect with your community. Brush off your social-emotional learning skills with a game night, a youth service project in your community, or connect with programs around the world using Empatico.

3. Chow down on healthy food. Lights On Afterschool provides a great opportunity to teach kids about nutrition and healthy eating while they enjoy a meal. Visit our Health & Well-Being theme page for more information on keeping kids nourished—at a Lights On Afterschool event or all year round.

4. Light up a landmark. Request a special Lights On Afterschool lighting of a statue, fountain, or park in your community; host a lantern lighting where students design, decorate, and release lanterns into the evening sky; or grab a projector and a lightbulb design and light up the side of your own building! (Be sure to share pictures on social media at #LightsOnAfterschool and #LightUpALandmark!)

5. Sign the afterschool petition. Use Lights On season as an opportunity to tell policymakers that afterschool programs play an essential role in your community. To collect signatures, either print out the petition or direct attendees to our website.

6. Get creative with lightbulbs. Every year, thousands of our printable lightbulbs are decorated nationwide. These unique creations can be strung in hallways and tacked to bulletin boards to keep the Lights On in the coming weeks or mail them directly to your local Congressional district office as a bright reminder to your representative that afterschool matters!

7. Wow them with STEM. There are many ways to incorporate STEM learning into your Lights On event. The 4-H educators' Power Protectors STEM Challenge kit is one excellent option. This comprehensive kit consists of three engaging activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. You should also consider showcasing NASA’s Surprisingly STEM video series. This monthly series highlights exciting and unexpected careers at NASA, from wind tunnel engineers to dive specialists.

8. Build something cool. Our friends at DIY have many project ideas and video tutorials to help you and your Lights On Afterschool attendees create something fun and unique together. Whether it’s a rubber band-powered machine or a cardboard contraption, let us know what you create by sharing the project on the DIY platform or by tagging us on social media using the #LightsOnAfterschool hashtag.

9. Crack open some books. There are endless ways to promote reading and literacy at your Lights On Afterschool event. Some book-themed event ideas include reading parties or literary celebrations.

10. Go green. No matter the theme of your Lights On Afterschool event, you can promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices by going paperless, recycling materials, or mapping your carbon footprint.

11. Shine a spotlight on youth. Youth are at the center of Lights On Afterschool, so don’t forget to involve them in your plans. Engage young people in your Lights On Afterschool event by assigning them leadership roles or allocating time for them to publicly share their thoughts on afterschool.

12. Get moving! You can teach your event participants the importance of physical exercise by hosting a relay race or dance party or issuing a physical activity challenge, where everyone logs a certain amount of physical activity over the course of the week.

13. Get inspired. If you’re still searching for the perfect idea for your Lights On Afterschool event, investigate what others are doing this year or what successful events have done in the past. Remember, Lights On Afterschool events do not need to be huge or expensive to be effective, so feel free to celebrate in a way that best fits your community. There are endless ways to celebrate afterschool!

14. Get active on social media: Tell the world why you’re keeping the Lights On Afterschool, or why you love your afterschool staff! We’ve provided the templates in our social media toolkit; all you need to do is customize and post! Lastly, follow the #LightsOnAfterschool hashtag to see how other afterschool programs are celebrating!

Even if you’re not hosting an event of your own, you can still join one million people to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. Find an event to attend in your community, ask Members of Congress to help keep the Lights On Afterschool, or join in the Lights On Afterschool Lightbulb Challenge!

Celebrate Lights On Afterschool with these last-minute ideas

The time has come: we are officially two weeks out from Lights On Afterschool day! Did you think it was too late to join in the celebration? Well, think again! Whether you want to partake in the Lightbulb Challenge or light up a local landmark, here are some ways to get involved in Lights On...

BY: Lucy Maddox      10/10/24

Passing the microphone: Ways to amplify youth voice during Lights On Afterschool

Lights On Afterschool is the perfect time to pass the microphone to the young people in your community and let them share their thoughts and experiences with a larger audience. From the planning to the execution, youth can be involved in all aspects of your Lights On event. There are plenty of...

BY: Lucy Maddox      10/03/24

Celebrate Lights On with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Annia Quiroz, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. Looking for a great way to engage kids in STEM during this year’s Lights On Afterschool? The National 4-H Council's 2024 4-H STEM Challenge, Food for Thought, might be the kit for you and your participants. STEM...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/27/24

Transform your afterschool program into a fun-filled carnival for Lights On

For the sheer variety of activities, there’s nothing like a carnival to showcase all the ways your program supports kids and families in your community. Attendees of your celebration have numerous opportunities to explore everything on offer through booths or stations with different games,...

BY: Lucy Maddox      09/19/24

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By Laurie Posner for Mizzen Education. Just in time for fall and Lights On Afterschool, Mizzen Education and Learn Fresh have teamed up to bring you exhilarating, free content specially designed for afterschool programs to help build math skills. The fun begins with NBA Math Hoops! Invented...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/18/24

Shine a spotlight on your students during Lights On Afterschool

Put the young people in your afterschool program center stage during your Lights On Afterschool celebration. Hosting a talent showcase is a great way to get students excited about participating in your event and to encourage families to come to the party and see what their children are doing...

BY: Lucy Maddox      09/12/24

Host a rally for Lights On Afterschool this year

Organizing a rally is a fantastic way to bring your community together and actively demonstrate the importance of afterschool programs. These powerful celebrations foster enthusiasm and meaningful conversations, create a collective call to action for more afterschool, and also attract media...

BY: Lucy Maddox      09/05/24

Easy event idea: Host an open house for Lights On Afterschool

Hosting an open house is a fantastic way to shine a light on your community’s afterschool and summer programs. It’s also an opportunity to engage with students, families, teachers, school administrators, and elected officials about the importance and impact of these programs. There...

BY: Lucy Maddox      08/29/24

Chatting with the Lights On poster contest winners

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash Sophia and Elizabeth are youth participants at RAD ART, a key component of the Houston Healthy Hip-Hop initiative in Houston, Texas. Led by Ms. Harper, the afterschool program director, RAD ART offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and personal...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/22/24

It’s Lights On Afterschool season!

It's on! Lights On Afterschool is back for its 25th year—please join us in the nation's only celebration of afterschool and out-of-school time programs! With 10 weeks until October 24, now is the perfect time to register and begin planning your event. Explore our planning guide to...

BY: Lucy Maddox      08/16/24

Celebrate Lights On with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Annia Quiroz, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. Looking for a great way to engage kids in STEM during this year’s Lights On Afterschool? The National 4-H Council's 2024 4-H STEM Challenge, Food for Thought, might be the kit for you and your participants. STEM...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/27/24

Make math magic

By Laurie Posner for Mizzen Education. Just in time for fall and Lights On Afterschool, Mizzen Education and Learn Fresh have teamed up to bring you exhilarating, free content specially designed for afterschool programs to help build math skills. The fun begins with NBA Math Hoops! Invented...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/18/24

Lights, learning, and lunchboxes – An innovative partnership during Lights On

By Meredith Bush, Senior Manager of Education Business Development at Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and Stephen White, Chief Strategy Officer, Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development at Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Afterschool Alliance teamed up...

BY: Guest Blogger      11/09/23

Lights On Afterschool STEM extravaganza

With Lights On Afterschool season upon us and as the new STEM Hub Manager here at the Afterschool Alliance, I was eager to participate in an event elevating the value of STEM learning for youth at a young age. I was delighted to learn about and attend the inaugural STEM Extravaganza in Columbia,...

BY: Leslie Brooks      11/02/23

Energy Superheroes join Lights On Afterschool events in Charlottesville, Denver, Houston – and Mons, Belgium

We’re thrilled to share that Energy Superheroes are joining in the nation’s celebration of afterschool programs, Lights On Afterschool! Energy Superheroes are real-life women with superpowers and careers that are leading the energy transition. Many of these women help to power...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/24/23

NASA is celebrating Lights On Afterschool - and you’re invited!

This Lights On Afterschool, get wrapped up in learning about Paula Cain, who went from fashion designer to space blanket technician at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.  NASA invites programs and youth to join a special virtual Lights On Afterschool event with Thermal Blanket...

BY: Maria Rizo      10/02/23

Spotlight on STEM at YMCA Houston's 21st CCLC Lights On celebration

This Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers from the award-winning multicultural nonfiction children’s book series, Everyday Superheroes to bring STEM learning to four different local Lights On celebrations. One of those celebrations...

BY: Maria Rizo      11/28/22

Celebrate Lights On with the 4-H STEM Challenge

By Annia Quiroz, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council. Looking for a great way to engage kids in STEM during this year’s Lights On Afterschool? The National 4-H Council's 2024 4-H STEM Challenge, Food for Thought, might be the kit for you and your participants. STEM...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/27/24

Make math magic

By Laurie Posner for Mizzen Education. Just in time for fall and Lights On Afterschool, Mizzen Education and Learn Fresh have teamed up to bring you exhilarating, free content specially designed for afterschool programs to help build math skills. The fun begins with NBA Math Hoops! Invented...

BY: Guest Blogger      09/18/24

The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open!

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. To make things even more exciting, we’re looking to gather new or already existing materials. If your program has pre-made artwork...

BY: Shaun Gray      04/09/24

Energy Superheroes join Lights On Afterschool events in Charlottesville, Denver, Houston – and Mons, Belgium

We’re thrilled to share that Energy Superheroes are joining in the nation’s celebration of afterschool programs, Lights On Afterschool! Energy Superheroes are real-life women with superpowers and careers that are leading the energy transition. Many of these women help to power...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/24/23

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BY: Charlotte Steinecke      12/15/22

Spotlight on STEM at YMCA Houston's 21st CCLC Lights On celebration

This Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers from the award-winning multicultural nonfiction children’s book series, Everyday Superheroes to bring STEM learning to four different local Lights On celebrations. One of those celebrations...

BY: Maria Rizo      11/28/22

Chatting with the Lights On poster contest winners

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash Sophia and Elizabeth are youth participants at RAD ART, a key component of the Houston Healthy Hip-Hop initiative in Houston, Texas. Led by Ms. Harper, the afterschool program director, RAD ART offers a unique blend of artistic exploration and personal...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/22/24

Meet the winner of our Lights On Afterschool poster contest

This year’s poster was created by Elizabeth F. and Sophia P. from Houston Healthy Hip-Hop: RAD ART, an afterschool program in Houston, Texas. Elizabeth and Sophia’s artwork features youth engaged in various afterschool activities, from science experiments and break dancing to space...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/15/24

The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open!

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. To make things even more exciting, we’re looking to gather new or already existing materials. If your program has pre-made artwork...

BY: Shaun Gray      04/09/24

Bring out student creativity during Lights On Afterschool

This Lights On Afterschool, host an art day! Lights On Afterschool is the perfect time to let students express their thoughts on afterschool through art. Events can be as big as a mural painting around a unique theme that resonates with your students and as simple as decorating a lightbulb with all...

BY: Maria Rizo      09/28/23

Meet the winner of the Lights On Afterschool 2023 poster contest

This year's Lights On Afterschool poster was created by Lydia Ireland, a seventh-grade student from Folks Middle School Art Club. Lydia’s drawing features afterschool imagery, including a ballet slipper, a football, a theater mask, a chess piece, and a computer mouse – all radiating...

BY: Shaun Gray      08/21/23

The 2023 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open!

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. To make things even more exciting, we’re looking to gather new or already existing materials. If your program has...

BY: Shaun Gray      05/18/23

The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open!

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. To make things even more exciting, we’re looking to gather new or already existing materials. If your program has pre-made artwork...

BY: Shaun Gray      04/09/24

Today is the first day of Lights On Afterschool season!

It's on! Lights On Afterschool is back for its 24th year -- please join us in the nation's only celebration of afterschool and out-of-school time programs! With 10 weeks until October 26, now is the perfect time to register and begin planning your event. Explore...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      08/17/23

Lights On Afterschool: Celebrating 25 years of 21st CCLC programs

We are delighted to announce that this year Lights On Afterschool, the nationwide rally for afterschool, will highlight the contributions of 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) afterschool programs. 21st CCLC funding has enabled local programs to keep kids safe, inspire them to...

BY: Ursula Helminski      07/20/23

Spotlight on STEM at YMCA Houston's 21st CCLC Lights On celebration

This Lights On Afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance partnered with Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers from the award-winning multicultural nonfiction children’s book series, Everyday Superheroes to bring STEM learning to four different local Lights On celebrations. One of those celebrations...

BY: Maria Rizo      11/28/22

It’s Lights On Afterschool season!

It's on! Lights On Afterschool is back for its 25th year—please join us in the nation's only celebration of afterschool and out-of-school time programs! With 10 weeks until October 24, now is the perfect time to register and begin planning your event. Explore our planning guide to...

BY: Lucy Maddox      08/16/24

The 2024 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest is open!

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re looking for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. To make things even more exciting, we’re looking to gather new or already existing materials. If your program has pre-made artwork...

BY: Shaun Gray      04/09/24

Communities from Alaska to Florida lit up landmarks for afterschool

Last Thursday, communities across the country rallied for the 23rd annual Lights On Afterschool celebration. This year, the nation shined their lights for the essential programs that keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and...

BY: Maria Rizo      10/28/22

Inspiring celebrations of afterschool during Lights On 2022

In Alaska, students balanced spiders on webs they created with marshmallows and toothpicks, and enjoyed Polynesian dance. In California, they conducted “Will It Float?” exercises. In Florida, they created elephant toothpaste from dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and yeast; in Indiana,...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke      10/21/22