7 Ideas to Share Your Love of Healthy Afterschool this Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are 7 simple activities to spread the love and build momentum for healthy out-of-school time in your community.

1: Share Why You Love Afterschool on social media!

Join the Afterschool Alliance and spread the word that #AfterschoolWorks. Represent a school or school-based afterschool site? Try these tips to build even stronger school-community collaborations.

2: Coordinate a red fruit and veggie office potluck

Start by making your own Valentine themed sign-up sheet. Need some ideas on ingredients? Try strawberries, apples, raspberries, cherries, red grapes, red grapefruits, cranberries, blood oranges, pomegranates, watermelon, tomatoes, red peppers, beets and radishes!

Host a competition to see who can make a dish with the most red ingredients? Stay hydrated by making red fruit silly water and be sure to Instagram us your spread. Get more ideas from Foods of the Month.

3: Host a healthy Valentine-gram fundraiser 

Skip the candy sales and opt for a healthy and affirming fundraiser. Just be sure everyone gets a Valentine and no one is left out.

4: Commit to not giving candy for Valentine’s Day

Kids may get Valentine’s Day candy at multiple locations; consumption of sweets add up if kids receive them at school, in afterschool, at home and in places of faith. Pick a few non-food rewards like leading a special physical activity break (try our brand new Mirror Challenge with Jason and Jarron Collins) or a fun Valentine’s Day craft project to send home. Consider adopting a wellness policy that makes this the norm.

5: Start your day with quiet reflection, affirmation and calming movement

Rather than jumping right into calls, meetings and emails, spend 10 minutes making a list of why you love the work you do. Play your favorite song, breathe deep with Tara Stiles’ yoga and pat yourself on the back for the hard work you do. Not a morning person? Try these tips to get more sleep.

6: Swap candy gifts for healthier homemade recipes

Get ideas from the Alliance Pinterest page or try this simple heart-shaped cinnamon crisp recipe. Don’t forget to share your ideas with us on Twitter.

7: Give back by joining maintenance staff for an afternoon or evening site clean-up

Janitorial staff are important partners in creating healthy out-of-school environments. Thank them for their hard work and build a stronger relationship by working together to make simple improvements like replacing lightbulbs, cleaning up stairwells and organizing supplies.