Get Moving Relay

Objective:

In relay fashion, teams race to collect and correctly sort activity cards.

Preparation and Materials:

• Print the Get Moving Relay worksheets
• Copy the Activity Cards worksheets onto cardstock and cut out (encourage kids to create cards for any "missing" activities to make sure everyone's active day activities are represented)
• Make category signs ("Get Moving" and "Stay Still")
• 2 containers (paper bags or boxes) for each team
• Place 1 set of activity cards per team on one side of the room (place on a chair, table or in a small box)
• Tape the category signs to each set of containers and place the sets of containers on the opposite side of the room (one set per team)

Note: this game can be played in a classroom, hallway or other small space; just instruct students to walk, take side steps, or use some other safe movement.

Instructions:

1. Arrange teams of children near the containers to start.
2. Explain that children will take turns speed walking across the room to collect an activity card and return it to their team where they will place it in the container that best describes the activity. Point out that activities either get their bodies moving or keep their bodies still.
3. Review the activity cards with kids to see if any of activities they do throughout the day are missing. Have them create new cards to add to to the mix.
4. Players will take turns collecting the activity cards until all cards have been sorted. All team members should run in place, stretch, or do jumping jacks when waiting for their turn.
5. For variety, alter the movement across the room: jog, skip, hop, take giant steps.
6. Review the answers with the group - were any placed incorrectly? Ask why the team thought the activity belonged where it was placed.

Extension Activities

• Post the "Get Moving" and "Stay Still" signs (plus have containers available) on opposite walls of a gym or large open space. Have the children stand, scattered in the middle of the room. Throw the activity cards (use multiple sets so that there is at least 1 card per player) in the air so that all children may race to pick up a card and run to place it on the correct side.
• Have children make their own "Get Moving" and "Stay Still" signs to use in this activity.
• For upper elementary children: Add the categories: "Very Active Moves" and "Moderate Moves" to help older children recognize that any way they move feels good, but some things are more active than others. Inform these children that highly active things do more to build fitness.
• Play a game of charades in which each child selects a card from the pile and acts out the activity for others to guess. The children who are guessing also have to call out if the activity gets them moving or not.
• Relay games can be used to reinforce other healthy messages in a way that gets children moving. Here are some ideas:
  • Race to collect fruits or vegetables by color.
  • Race to collect or sort cards that list various foods by the food group: grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein (meat/poultry/fish/eggs/nuts/ seeds/beans), or sugar/fat
  • Race to sort foods cards by meal (e.g.: breakfast foods, snack foods).
  • Race to sort activity cards by level of activity (sedentary, moderate or high intensity) or type of activity (team sport, playground game, chores).