fitCLUB

fit Brainstorm Race

Help kids learn that being fit means making healthy choices to form lifelong healthy habits involving rest, motivation, food, and being physically active.

Kids and leader sitting in a circle
Kids writing their ideas on paper
Kids playing in gym.
Group of kids doing movement activities on a field outside
Group of kids playing a game outside
Girls relaxing on yoga mats outside

Activity Purpose

Kids brainstorm what they currently think "being fit" means. They will learn that being fit is making healthy recharge, mood, food, and move choices.

Objectives

  • Identify the parts that make up fit: recharge, mood, food, and move. 
  • Describe "being fit" as more than eating right and exercising. Being fit is making healthy recharge, mood, food, and move choices.

Preparation

  • Talk Time: Kids sit and stretch or stand and march in place. Be sure they are a safe distance (arm’s length) apart.
  • Activity: Divide kids into small groups of 3-4. Distribute a marker or pencil and a piece of blank paper to each group.
  • Wrap Up: Kids partner with someone sitting near them for discussion.

Talk Time

Introduction

Do you know how many hours you sleep at night?

Did you know that getting 9-12 hours of sleep each night is one of the ways you can be fit? While you are sleeping your body is recharging, growing, and storing memories!

We will learn a lot about healthy choices during fitClub. But first, we will do a brainstorm race to share our ideas about what it means to be fit! Take a moment right now and think about how you will answer this question, "What does it mean to be fit?" (Pause for 30 seconds to allow time for kids to think about their responses before continuing with the activity.)

Do The Activity

Activity Instructions
  1. Divide kids into small groups (3-4 kids per group). Each group picks a person to write.
  2. Give each group 1 piece of paper and a pencil or marker.
  3. Set a timer for 1 minute.
  4. Leader asks "What do you think it means to be fit?" then starts the timer.
  5. Each group brainstorms together and writes their ideas on paper.
  6. After 1 minute leader asks each group to share their brainstorm thoughts about what it means to be fit.
  7. Leader explains:
  • Being fit is about making healthy choices throughout your day.
  • There are 4 parts to fit: recharge, mood, food, and move.
  • fit is NOT just about eating right and getting exercise.
  • Being fit is about having enough energy and the motivation to make healthy nutrition and physical activity choices.

Wrap Up

Reflections

Q: What would you tell someone if they asked you, "What does it mean to be fit?" 
A: Answers will vary. Accept responses similar to: Being fit has four parts, recharge, mood, food, and move. It's having the energy (recharge) and the motivation (mood) to make healthy nutrition (food) and physical activity (move) choices.

Challenge

Make healthy choices every day. Think fit to be fit!

Time: 5 Minutes

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Blank Paper
  • Markers or Pencils
  • Timer
  • Optional-Pad of Sticky Notes

Helpful Tips
  • Instead of being in small groups, create a large poster with "fit" written in the center. Kids write their brainstorm ideas randomly across the poster. Consider hanging the poster up to serve as a reminder.
  • Modify activity to be a Sticky-Note Storm! Everyone gets one sticky note. Set the timer for 2 minutes and have kids write down as many ways to move as they can in the time allotted. Then, they share their ideas with each other.


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