Afterschool Professionals have a lot going on, and we want to help! One way we know how to help is by coming up with activities. And so, welcome to The Launchpad, a quarterly curation of curriculum perfect for afterschool programs. These activities will vary by content areas, lengths, difficulties, and ages. To find out when new Launchpads are available, sign up for our newsletter!
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We hope these activities make life a little easier and provide some support to all of the wonderful and critical work you do. If you have any feedback or suggestions for what to include in the newsletter, please let us know!
Nickelodeon Our World: The Design Lab
Grades K–5
From: Mizzen Education and Nickelodeon
This is a 10-part learning journey where kids become Junior Funologists and think like engineers. Using everyday materials like clothespins, spatulas, pipe cleaners, and spoons, Junior Funologists rescue a trapped blueprint, devise a tool to wrangle runaway balloons, and engineer a playground of the future. Along the way, they imagine, tinker, and test their way to every solution.
30 Gratitude Activities
All Ages
From: Pathway 2 Success
Practicing gratitude means taking time to notice and appreciate what we already have. This is a meaningful activity kids and teens can do anytime of year, not just during Thanksgiving or fall!
How the Cookie Crumbles … in Space
Ages 5–12
From: Science Buddies
Have you ever wondered what astronauts eat in space? What types of restrictions are there on the foods they can enjoy? It turns out that crumbs can be a huge problem on spaceships and space stations like the International Space Station (ISS). Crumbs can float around in zero gravity, squeeze into electrical panels, where they may cause fires, and get sucked into and clog air filtration systems. In this science project, you will investigate which ingredients are most important for creating the least crumbly food—by baking chocolate chip cookies.
Inclusive Holiday Season at your Program – Crafts, Activities, and More
All Ages
From: Child Friendly Pro
Focus and Frame
All Ages
From: C4 Thinking With Art
Co-developed by the Columbus Museum of Art and Harvard Gradate School of Education, this kit teaches youth a process for thinking in creative and critically-relevant ways through art.
Click here to download the kit.
Kiddie CATS on the Move: Promoting Young Children’s Physical Activity
Pre-K–1st grade
From: Kidd CATs on the Move at UVM
Kiddie CATs is a fun, 30-minute physical activity program filled with activities that get young children moving and playing together. The program is designed to help young children reach moderate-to-vigorous activity levels, become more aware of their bodies, build gross motor skills, and learn about the importance of physical activity for their health and wellbeing. As children and adults move together, children also learn to share, take turns, and work as a team. Take a look at Kiddie CATs in action!
Interested in including Kiddie CATs in your program? Free facilitator training includes the program manual, with adaptations to support participation for all young children. Contact catsmove@uvm.edu to learn about training opportunities in the Burlington area. Outside of Burlington? Let us know, and we can explore options for your area!
We hope these activities will make life a little easier and provide some support to all of the wonderful work you do. Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions about this newsletter – want more activities, want more specific content, want less, etc. This is meant to support YOU and help you provide youth with engaging activities, so please let us know how we can help! Have a great start to your school year!
