This past weekend was my daughter’s school’s Spring Carnival, so I headed up an exciting new booth called the Healthy Kids Challenge. In it the children go through three fun stations: Play, Eat and Think.

1) Play (for 2 minutes)We set up an area with hop scotch, hula hoop, jump rope and we timed the children as they played for 2 minutes straight

2) Eat (the rainbow)

We set out fruits and vegetables in every hue of the rainbow, which we had cut and prepped the day before. The challenge was for the children to at least taste one food of each color. Our local Whole Foods generously donated all the produce (Thanks Whole Foods!). So not only did the children learn about health and have fun with it, we were able to raise important funds for the PTA.

3) Think (about health)

We wrote up a series of question to test the children’s knowledge about healthy living. As the final leg of the challenge each child picked, and had to answer, a question out of a fishbowl.

After completing the challenge the children were awarded tickets redeemable for prizes. The feedback we got was incredible—-both the children and the parents loved it and said they wish there were more things like it at other school fairs.

Wouldn’t it be great if this Healthy Kids Challenge were as common as cotton candy machines at school carnivals? We can make it happen! If you are interested in running one at your local school I would be happy to pass the supply list and other materials on to you. Just email me at info@elliekrieger.com. All I ask in return is that you let me know how it went and send a photo or two!