LAST MINUTE EVENT IDEAS
Even if you’re short on time, it’s not too late to host a successful Lights On Afterschool celebration. Use these ideas for some last-minute inspiration.
1. The Lightbulb Challenge! We're hosting a social media challenge to recreate our Lights On logo! Just strike the pose, snap a photo, and post it on social media, with a message of support for afterschool and the handle of the person you're challenging to participate. Be sure to tag #LightbulbChallengeAB, #LightsOnAfterschoolAB and #AfterschoolMattersyyc so we can share your post! Head over to the Facebook event to RSVP.
2. SpongeBob and afterschool art. Host the best arts project ever with free arts guides from SpongeBob Squarepants and P.S. Arts! And go glassic with our printable lightbulbs, which are decorated and hung up in hallways and tacked to bulletin boards across Alberta.
3. STEM activities. Join 4-H for Game Changers, this year's National Youth Science Day activity! Developed by Google and West Virginia University Extension Service, it includes a computer-based activity on Google’s CS First platform and three unplugged activities that bring coding to life through games and interaction. Also see our Afterschool STEM theme page to find more ways to celebrate STEM at your Lights On Afterschool event.
4. Get moving. Each fall, Nickelodeon goes completely dark to encourage kids and families to engage in physical activity for the Worldwide Day of Play. It’s easy to celebrate the Worldwide Day of Play at your Lights On event—host a dance party, play kickball, set up an obstacle course, or do anything that gets kids moving! See our Health & Wellness theme page to learn more.
5. Connect with your community. Brush off your social-emotional learning skills with a game night, a youth service project in your community, or connect with programs around the world using Empatico.
6. Healthy snacks. Lights On Afterschool provides a great opportunity to teach kids about nutrition and healthy eating while they enjoy a meal. Make sure your menu complies with the USDA meals designed for afterschool programs and encourage attendees to explore the refreshed Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards from the National AfterSchool Association. Visit our Health & Wellness theme page for more information on keeping kids nourished—at a Lights On Afterschool event or all year 'round.
7. Show off your entrepreneurial chops. For a sizzling activity that will get students and families on their feet, host a pitch contest where students identify a problem, imagine a solution as a business opportunity, structure their pitch, and deliver it to a panel of judges. Kids learn creativity, problem-solving, and public speaking all in one fun, exciting activity.
8. Teach creativity. The Creativity Catapult offers a number of expert-designed activities to boost creativity in children—from simple drawing exercises to more elaborate construction projects.
9. Light up a landmark. Request a special Lights On Afterschool lighting of a statue, fountain, or park in your community; host a lantern lighting where students design, decorate and release lanterns into the evening sky; or grab a projector and a lightbulb design and light up the side of your own building! (Be sure to share pictures on social media at #LightsOnAfterschooABl and #LightUpALandmarkAB!)
10. Get inspired. Still not sure how to celebrate Lights On Afterschool this year? Visit our new Event Ideas & Activities database, where you can filter event ideas by category, planning time required and level of difficulty.
