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School Age

Activity/Game Ideas | Campaigns | Curricula/Lesson Plans | For Parents | Funding Strategies | Healthy Menus/Recipes | Informational Resources


Activity/Game Ideas

Body and Minds (BAM!) Classroom Activities

Interactive, educational, and fun fitness activities for children
http://www.bam.gov/teachers/activities/index.htm

Dole 5-a-Day Student Activities

Learn more about fruits and vegetables and the importance of eating five to nine servings every day
http://www.dole5aday.com/html/teachers/Lesson%20Plans.html

Kidnetic

Interactive Web site featuring healthy recipes, fun games, information about how your body works and information for parents
http://www.kidnetic.com/

Kids’ Health

Healthy game and activity links
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/closet/

Kids’ Health en Español:

Juego sobre la salud y conexiones a actividades
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/index.html

Making Nutrition Count for Children—Nutrition Guidance for Child Care Homes

Information and a set of activities on how children grow and develop, the nutrients they need for healthy growth, and how to help children learn about nutrition
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/nutritioncount.html

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness Lessons and Activities for Kids Ages 5-18

Lesson plans and online activities found on PBS Online with original activities and professional development opportunities
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/health.htm

Power of Choice Lessons and Activities

Activities for goal-setting and healthy values, active living, understanding serving sizes, deciphering food labels, choosing healthy snacks, and trying new foods
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/power_of_choice.html

Powerful Bones Web site

Interactive Web site that provides innovative games and nutrition quizzes that promote optimal bone health in girls
http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/games_fun/index.html

President’s Fitness Challenge for Kids Ages 6-12

Online personal activity log for kids to track their fitness progress online—along with awards for reaching fitness goals
http://www.presidentschallenge.org/home_kids.aspx

President’s Fitness Challenge for Teens Ages 13-17

Online personal activity log for teens to track their fitness progress online—along with awards for reaching fitness goals
http://www.presidentschallenge.org/home_teens.aspx

SPARK Elementary Physical Education Sample Lessons and Activities

Information about the development of healthy lifestyles, motor skills and movement knowledge, and social and personal skills
http://www.sparkpe.org/sampleLessonsElementaryPE.jsp

SPARK Middle School Physical Education Sample Lessons and Activities

Information about the development of healthy lifestyles, motor skills and movement knowledge, and social and personal skills
http://www.sparkpe.org/sampleLessonsMiddlePE.jsp

VERB Activities for ‘Tweens’

Activities for teachers, parents, and child care providers to encourage kids to keep moving every day
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/tweens/index.htm

VERB Tips for Organizations

Creative ways that after-school or weekend programs for children can incorporate physical activity and promote active play
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/adults/PDF/tip-for-organization.PDF

VERB Tips for Teachers

Ways teachers can help children get more physical activity each day
This resource is a PDF document http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/adults/PDF/tip-for-teachers.PDF

VERB’ Tween’ Web site

Interactive Web site for kids that has creative ideas for physical activity
http://www.verbnow.com/


Campaigns top
5 al dia

Es un programa nacional que ayuda a aumentar a 5 o más el número de porciones diarias de frutas y verduras que comen las personas
This resource is a PDF document http://www.doh.state.fl.us/family/wic/Documents/Five_A_Day/Dame_5_al_dia.pdf

5-A-Day for Better Health

Recipes and information on food preparation and toddler food safety
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/index.htm

5-A-Day Fruit and Vegetable of the Month

Each month a fruit and vegetable are featured with nutritional information, tips on how to prepare them and great tasting recipes.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/month/index.htm

5-A-Day Tips

Easy ideas for physical activities that you can do with children to create the foundation for lifelong healthy behaviors
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/tips/index.html

5-A-Day With 5 Kids A Day

Parents can help their kids eat right and boost their own healthy eating habits with quick pointers on the most kid-friendly fruit and vegetable recipes and preparation techniques.
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/qa/index.html

Action for Healthy Kids

Addressing the epidemic of overweight by helping improve children’s nutrition and physical activity
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/

Eat Smart. Play Hard.™

Includes practical suggestions that will help motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be active
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/

Hearts in Parks

Community mobilization guide and video that encourages Americans to maintain a healthy weight, follow a heart-healthy diet, and engage in regular physical activity
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/obesity/hrt_n_pk/

KaBoom!

Movement to provide safe and fun play opportunities for all children
http://kaboom.org/

Kids Walk-To-School

Encourages children to walk to and from school in groups accompanied by adults
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/index.htm

La leche es importante

Una campaña nacional que tiene como fin lograr aumentar el consumo de calcio entre los niños y adolescentes en el país
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/espanol/leche.cfm

Milk Matters

Nationwide campaign dedicated to increasing calcium consumption among America's children and teens
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/

Powerful Bones Web site

Interactive Web site that provides innovative games and nutrition quizzes that promote optimal bone health in girls
http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/games_fun/index.html

President's Challenge

Series of programs designed to help improve everyone's activity level
http://fitness.gov/funfit/funfit.html

Small Step En Espanol

Proporciona información sobre dietas y salud, recetas, éxitos ejemplares inspiracionales, las consecuencias de de peso excesivo y la obesidad, y vinculos a organizaciones y otros recursos
http://www.smallstep.gov/esp/esp_index.html

Small Steps

Information on diet and fitness, recipes, inspirational success stories, consequences of overweight and obesity, and links to organizations and other resources
http://www.smallstep.gov

Team Nutrition

Initiative to support USDA Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/

VERB materials for Adults

Promotes social norms that support physical activity and portray fitness as fun and healthy
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/adults/

VERB Materials for Tweens (Kids Ages 9-13)

Promotes social norms that support physical activity and portray fitness as fun and healthy
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/tweens/index.htm

VERB. Ponte las pilas.

Como padres y cuidadores de niños a veces pensamos que con alimentar bien a nuestros hijos y darles las debidas inmunizaciones, ellos van a estar saludables. La verdad es que las actividades físicas en grupo son también muy importantes.
http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/verb/

VERB: It’s What You Do

Promotes social norms that support physical activity and portray fitness as fun and healthy
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/index.htm

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition)

National program designed as a one-stop resource for parents and caregivers interested in practical tools to help children stay at a healthy weight
http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov


Curricula/Lesson Plans top
Building Blocks for a Healthy Future for Educators

Provides teaching tips, tools, and manuals to child care givers who wish to implement healthy standards into their program
http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/Educators/

CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Kids Club

Evidence based school and community health promotion program featuring physical activity and nutrition education activities for after-school and community recreation agencies
http://www.catchinfo.org

Dole 5-a-Day Lesson Plans

Teach nutrition through academic subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and music
http://216.255.136.121/Teachers/T_Index.jsp

Kidnetic

Interactive Web site featuring healthy recipes, fun games, information about how your body works and information for parents
http://www.kidnetic.com/

Media Smart Youth

Tools to help youth interpret messages about food on television, the Internet, and print media
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy/

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness Lessons and Activities for Kids Ages 5-18

Lesson plans and online activities found on PBS Online with original activities and professional development opportunities
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/health.htm

Power of Choice Reproducible Materials and Posters

Interactive sessions based on four posters
This resource is a PDF document http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/resources/POC_repros.PDF

SPARK Elementary Physical Education Sample Lessons and Activities

Information about the development of healthy lifestyles, motor skills and movement knowledge, and social and personal skills
http://www.sparkpe.org/sampleLessonsElementaryPE.jsp

SPARK Middle School Physical Education Sample Lessons and Activities

Information about the development of healthy lifestyles, motor skills and movement knowledge, and social and personal skills
http://www.sparkpe.org/sampleLessonsMiddlePE.jsp

The Power of Choice: Helping Youth Make Healthy Eating and Fitness Decisions. A Leader's Guide.

Recipe booklet, parent letter, and Nutrition Facts cards
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/resources/power_of_choice.html

Tips for Using the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children

Description for HTML and PDF: Helps children understand what they need to know about healthy eating, good eating habits, and enjoying a variety of foods
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/Publications/kidspyramid.htm

We Can! Energize our Community—Toolkit for Action

Planning tools, reproducible materials, and curricula with dynamic activities for parents to encourage a healthy weight in their family
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan_mats/toolkit.htm


For Parents top
Bright Futures Family Tip Sheets

Developmentally appropriate tools to help families promote the health and well-being of their children
http://www.brightfutures.org/TipSheets/index.html

Bright Futures Nutrition Family Fact Sheets

Series of nutrition fact sheets for families organized by developmental periods
http://www.brightfutures.org/nutritionfamfact/index.html

Bright Futures Nutrition Family Fact Sheets in Spanish

Series of nutrition fact sheets for families organized by developmental periods
http://www.brightfutures.org/nutritionfamfactspa/index.html

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future for Parents

Provides activities and other information for parents interested in sharing quality time with their young children
http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/Grownups/

Combating Childhood Obesity in Children (DVD)

Interactive DVD targeted to childrenand their families—contains a separate section for parents on small, achievable steps for encouraging healthy habits for their children and themselves
http://www.ahrq.gov/child/dvdobesity.htm

Dole 5-a-Day

Guide for parents on how to make eating five fruits and vegetables a day fun and easy
http://216.255.136.121/Grownups/G_Index.jsp

Hábitos Saludables para Niños Saludables

La guía habla de la importancia del papel de la familia, de cómo establecer objetivos realistas y de la nutrición y la actividad física
http://www.wellpoint.com/healthy_parenting/index_es.html

Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents

Tips for parents to encourage healthy eating and physical activity in their children
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/child.htm

Helping your Overweight Child

Encourages parents to take an active role in helping overweight children adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm

Kidnetic

Interactive Web site featuring healthy recipes, fun games, information about how your body works and information for parents
http://www.kidnetic.com/

Kids’ Health en Español para Padres

Información para padres de familia sobre la salud de los niños
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/index.html

Kids’ Health for Parents

Information for parents on kids’ health
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/

Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children

Guidance for child care center staff about conducting discussions with parents
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/nibbles.html

Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls.

Web site for parents with resources and creative ways to help daughters make healthy choices that build and maintain strong bones
http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/parents/index.html

The Clean Plate Club

This publication teaches parents how to help young people recognize their hunger and respond to a feeling of fullness
This resource is a PDF document http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/MP112-1.pdf

The Power of Others

This publication emphasizes the influence—positive and negative—that people of all ages can have on children and adults in terms of how they feel about their body and physical abilities
This resource is a PDF document http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/MP112-2.pdf

VERB materials for Adults

Promotes social norms that support physical activity and portray fitness as fun and healthy
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/adults/

VERB Tips for Parents

Tips for parents on how to increase physical activity in their children’s day
http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/materials/adults/tips.htm#Parents

We Can! A Parent Handbook

Practical tips to help families find the right balance of eating well and being physically active to maintain a healthy weight
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan_mats/parent_hb_en.htm

We Can! Energize our Community—Toolkit for Action

Planning tools, reproducible materials, and curricula with dynamic activities for parents to encourage a healthy weight in their family
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan_mats/toolkit.htm


Funding Strategies top
Financing Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs

Brief guide to relevant Federal funding sources and frameworks of financing strategies and childhood obesity prevention strategies
This resource is a PDF document http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/publications/obesityprevention.PDF

National Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity

Information about how States and communities can develop, policies, identify resources, and raise awareness about nutrition and physical fitness
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/state_programs/index.htm

Resources on Finding Grants and Grant Writing

Links to resources on finding grants and grant writing
http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/poptopics/fundraising.html

Steps to a Healthier US: Cooperative Agreement

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative is designed to help Americans, and especially children, live longer, better quality, healthier lives
This resource is a PDF document http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/grantees/2004/StepsCoopAgrmn.PDF


Healthy Menus/Recipes top
5-A-Day for Better Health Recipes

Recipes that promote fruit and vegetables, are low in fat and cholesterol, use whole grains, and use little salt and sugar
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnparecipe/recipesearch.aspx

5-A-Day Fruit and Vegetable of the Month

Each month a fruit and vegetable are featured with nutritional information, tips on how to prepare them and great tasting recipes.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5aday/month/index.htm

5-A-Day With 5 Kids A Day

Parents can help their kids eat right and boost their own healthy eating habits with quick pointers on the most kid-friendly fruit and vegetable recipes and preparation techniques.
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/qa/index.html

After School Snack: Cycle Menus

Two four-week cycle menus that help providers start serving healthy snacks that children will enjoy
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/menu/cyclemenu.htm

Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals

Information about the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal requirements, advice on how to serve high- quality meals and snacks, menu planning, nutrition education ideas and tips, and much more
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/buildingblocks.html

Child Care Recipes

Recipes for great tasting, nutritious meals that young children will love
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/Publications/centerrecipes.htm

Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

Guide to help providers or their purchasing agents buy the right amount and type of food
http://schoolmeals.nal.usda.gov/FBG/buyingguide.html

Fruits & Vegetables Galore

USDA’s tool for school food service professionals that contains tips on planning, purchasing, protecting, preparing, presenting, and promoting fruits and vegetables
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/fv_galore.html

Healthier U.S.Gov

Information to help Americans choose healthier lifestyles
http://www.healthierus.gov/

Kidnetic

Interactive Web site featuring healthy recipes, fun games, information about how your body works and information for parents
http://www.kidnetic.com/

Kids’ Health en Español para Niños

Recetas para niños organizadas en forma de lista por necesidades alimenticias especiales
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/index.html

Kids’ Health for Kids

Recipes for kids organized and listed by special dietary needs
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/index.html

Menu Magic for Children: Menu Planning Guide for Child Care Homes

Information about the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern requirements, serving quality meals and snacks, and tips on menu planning and grocery shopping
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/menumagic.html

The Childcare Nutrition Resource System

Recipes, resources, and information on preparing nutrition meals and food safety
http://www.nal.usda.gov/childcare/index.html


Informational Resources top
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

AAHPERD is an alliance of six national associations and six district associations designed to provide members with resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public
http://www.aahperd.org/

Bright Futures in Practice Training Tools

Training tools, activities, and resources designed to help providers use Bright Futures materials
http://www.brightfutures.org/training/index.html

Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity

The guide provides current information on screening, assessment, and counseling to promote physical activity and to meet the needs of health professionals, families, and communities
http://www.brightfutures.org/training/index.html#PA

Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs 2nd Edition (2002)

Nationally recognized standards considered best practices in providing healthy and safe child care environments
http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Growth Chart Training & Tools

A set of self-directed, interactive training modules for health care professionals using the pediatric growth charts in clinical and public health settings to assess growth of infants, children, and adolescents
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/growthcharts/

Dietary Guidelines Consumer Brochure

Advice about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/brochure.htm

Dietary Guidelines for All Americans

Advice about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases
http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/

Food & Nutrition Service, Afterschool Snacks Fact Sheet

Provides a fact sheet about afterschool snacks
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Afterschool/factsheet.htm

Healthier U.S.Gov

Information to help Americans choose healthier lifestyles
http://www.healthierus.gov/

Healthy People 2010

Resource to help communities, States, and organizations develop policies and programs that help improve people’s health and well-being
http://www.healthypeople.gov/

Healthy School Meals Resource System

Provides information to persons working in USDA's Child Nutrition Programs
http://schoolmeals.nal.usda.gov/

Making Nutrition Count for Children—Nutrition Guidance for Child Care Homes

Information and a set of activities on how children grow and develop, the nutrients they need for healthy growth, and how to help children learn about nutrition
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/nutritioncount.html

National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE)

Seeks to enhance knowledge and professional practice in sport and physical activity through scientific study and dissemination of research to members and the public
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/

Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance (Institute of Medicine Report)

National strategy that recommends specific actions for families, schools, industry, communities, and government on preventing childhood obesity
http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=22596
$ There may be a cost associated with the resources available on this site.

Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide for Community Action

Provides a step-by-step guide to community-wide behavior change and physical activity
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/health_professionals/index.htm

Resource Guide for Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases

Resource guide for nutrition and physical activity programs to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesityprevention.htm

Surgeon General’s Call to Action (Fact Sheet)

Discusses the problem of obesity in children and adolescents
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity

Strategies that communities can use to help address problems associated with overweight and obesity
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/

Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

Up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional resources
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm

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