Virtual Field Trip
PlayWELL Park
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Welcome to PlayWELL Park

Let’s explore the Poe Center’s PlayWELL Park.

Active play is serious business at the Poe Center. Kids need about 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The playground is a great place to build muscles, get your heart pumping, and boost your mood.

Click on the green buttons for tips on making the most of your playground time.

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This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP.This institution is an equal opportunity provider

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program DiscriminationComplaint Form, which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or

fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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Check out this video on getting 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Watch this video to learn more about exercising your muscles.

“Climb it, Cross It, Pull It, Push It,” there are lots of ways to build strong muscles.

Learn more about the kinds of physical activity that keep your heart healthy.

Jogging, jumping rope, playing tag, or riding your bike are great ways to make your heart strong.

Check out this video on why exercise is important for our bones:

The impact of running and jumping compacts your bones, making them strong.

Five Components of Fitness:

  1. Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen and fuel to the body and keep working well during sustained physical activity. How long can you run?
  2. Muscular endurance is the ability of muscles to perform for a long period of time without getting tired. How many sit-ups can you do?
  3. Body composition refers to the relative amount of muscle, fat, bone, and other parts of the body. Everyone’s body is shaped differently and can be healthy at a variety of sizes.
  4. Muscular strength is the ability of the muscle to exert force during an activity. The key to making your muscles stronger is working them against resistance, whether it’s from weights or gravity. How many push-ups can you do?
  5. Flexibility is the range of motion around a joint. Are you able to touch your toes when you bend at the waist?

 

Put learning into action with this workout video using the Five Components of Fitness.

The FITT Principles are frequency, intensity, type, and time.

Tips for making new friends at the park:

  • If you see someone playing alone, introduce yourself and ask them to play with you or your group.
  • Start a conversation with someone new.
  • Start a game of tag or hide-and-seek with a group of new friends.
  • Give someone a compliment such as “I love your shoes!” or “You’re such a fast runner!”
  • Just smile and say “Hi!”
  • We all love to have fun, eat our favorite foods, and spend time with the people we love. These are things we all have in common.
  • We also are different. Our looks may be different. Our houses may be different. Our likes and dislikes may be different, too. These things make us unique and interesting.
  • Celebrate what makes us different by meeting and getting to know new friends.

It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same experiences and to see things from other people’s perspective.

If you are being bullied or see someone being bullied, tell a trusted adult and check out these websites for guidance on what to do and how to help.

  • Sunshine: Your body needs sun! You need sun exposure to make Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your immune system and your bone development. Being out in the sunshine can even help you sleep. Just be sure to wear sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
  • Nature: Playing outside is a fun way to appreciate nature. Look at the various trees, explore different areas of the park, find different plants and bugs, and play in the dirt or sand. Nature is one of the best parts of playing outside. There’s always something new to explore.
  • Meeting new people: When you play outside, you may get the chance to meet people and make new friends.

 

Grades K-5: Playing outside is fun. But don’t forget to wear sunscreen. Sing this fun tune to help you remember.

Grades K-5: Watch this inspirational speech, by 6-year-old Janelle Lin, about spending more time outdoors.

Grades 5-8: Listen to 14-year-old Mirabelle Brown’s candid message about the importance of enjoying nature and taking a break from screens.

Check out these blogs from the Poe Center for more information on biking and walking safety:

Check out this video for more information on bike safety and walking safety.

Here is a list of ideas to keep kids of all ages active inside.

  • Inside activities, such as dancing, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, yoga, stretching, helping with chores, and building a fort are all physical activities, too. These all count towards your 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
  • Taking breaks during the day to get physical activity is important, too. Watch these videos for some fun ideas. These physical activity breaks can be done inside or outside.

Grades K-3: Check out this video for a fun movement break.
Grades 4-6: Check out this video for a movement break.

Drinking water does lots of good things for your body:

  • Energizes your muscles
  • Helps your lungs
  • Flushes body waste
  • Cushions your brain
  • Helps your kidneys function properly
  • Helps your eyes
  • Boosts your skin health
  • Regulates your body temperature

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