5 ways to bring health and wellness to your Lights On Afterschool event

Afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs play a vital role in supporting both the physical and mental health of the young people they serve, and Lights On Afterschool is the perfect opportunity to showcase that work.

That work has never been more timely. A historic settlement between Meta and 47 states over social media's harm to youth mental health will direct up to $17.1 billion to states over the next decade and name afterschool and summer programs as one of the recommended uses of those funds. Afterschool programs help young people stay active, build life skills, and spend less time on screens—exactly the kind of support the settlement is meant to fund. Lights On Afterschool is a great moment to show families, funders, and policymakers how your program supports youth well-being. Read more about the Meta settlement and what it could mean for afterschool. 

One easy way to weave a health and wellness theme into your Lights On Afterschool event is with a station-based format. Last year, the Sixth District Elementary Community Learning Center in Covington, Kentucky, hosted a family fitness and wellness night for Lights On Afterschool. Families moved between stations featuring a healthy cooking demonstration led by the local extension office, a make-your-own trail mix activity, jump rope competitions, and an inflatable obstacle course, giving every attendee a chance to participate in hands-on activities focused on healthy living.

If a station-based format sounds like a good fit for your program, here are some other possible ideas: 

• A mindfulness activity. Set up a station for a short guided meditation or breathing exercise for students, families, or staff. The Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network's Behavioral Health Toolkit has a "Brain Break Activities" feature with ready-to-use ideas, and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Self-Care Toolkit has additional activities to explore. 

• A craft station. Knitting and crocheting help young people unwind, build focus, and experience a sense of accomplishment. Learn to crochet with this step-by-step guide from our partners at Local Crafts.

• A healthy cooking demo. Partner with a local chef or nutritionist, or ask a staff member to demonstrate how to prepare a simple, nutritious snack young people can make at home.

• A movement activity. Set up a dance party, obstacle course, jump rope station, four square, hop scotch—or pull ideas from the National Afterschool Association's Guide for Creating Outstanding Games for indoor options like silent speedball that can be adapted to different ages and skill levels.

• A gratitude wall. Invite young people, families, and staff to share what they're grateful for about your program—using sticky notes or our printable lightbulb artwork for kids to color and fill in. Share photos and quotes with local media and policymakers afterward. 

Or, choose one of these activities and expand it into a standalone event. A craft station could become a knit-a-thon; a snack demo could turn into a cooking class; and a movement activity could grow into a field day.

To see how other programs have incorporated health and wellness into their events in years past, you can also visit the searchable events database.