Activities at school / for kids

Our habits and attitudes are formed as we grow up and they have an influence on our future health.
We would like to help get across to children that sensible diet and regular exercise need to become a way of life – and it does not have to be difficult or boring!

On this website we offer some ideas which have been shared by previous Walk organisers. If you have other ideas that you would like to share, please let us know so they can serve as inspiration for others. Send your suggestions to us at bisl@worlddiabetesfoundation.org

Exercise day

Many schools have an annual exercise day where you can either run, bike, play ball or something different. All that matters is that you get up and move. And once you are there, you feel happier, more awake and healthier.
Remember that sport and exercise is not only on exercise day – it is all year. But an exercise day may be a good motivation to start a healthy routine.
Think what your school wants to do on exercise day. Maybe you and your friends have some ideas for your physical education teacher and maybe your ideas will make the theme for the day.

Treasure hunt

Organise a treasure hunt around the school - inside or out depending on the weather. Questions related to healthy living could release the next clue to the treasure.

Preparation

Consider the age and number of children taking part and assign to small teams.
Create a number of questions / activities related to healthy living.
Map the route.
Set up posts - recruit volunteers as necessary
Think about timing for each post.
Perhaps a local shopkeeper would donate a "healthy treasure chest" - fruit for example - as a prize.
Register your walk on the Global Diabetes Walk website www.globaldiabeteswalk.net

On the day

Remind everyone why you are doing the Global Diabetes Walk.
Explain about diabetes and how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Remember that you are not alone - thousands of others around the world will be walking with you.
Remember to update the website with your results and photos.
Have fun!

Walking buses

A walking bus is a line of children who walk to school along a set route accompanied by parent volunteers. 
A walking bus is a fun way to walk while helping children learn pedestrian and road safety skills, improve health and fitness, reduce traffic congestion near schools and promote friendship and conversation.

Preparation

1. Discuss the idea of a walking bus with teachers, parents and pupils to gauge interest and possibilities at your school. The walk could include a particular class level or a specific class – or even cover a specific residential area.
2. Set up a small task force consisting of teachers and parents to plan the route and execute the walk. Remember to inform school management, the road safety officer at the school and the school crossing patrol about your school bus. Important: investigate any issues regarding liability and insurance. 
3. Identify a route to school and prepare a detailed time table with specific bus stops. When planning the route make sure to consider traffic safety issues. 
4. Find a group of parents who would like to be volunteer escorts. The number of volunteers needed depends on the age level and number of children in the bus as well as on local traffic conditions. 
5. To make it fun, you may consider appointing a ‘driver’ leading the bus in front (perhaps even wearing a driver’s cap and holding a wheel or a horn) and a ‘conductor’ walking at the back. You could also combine the walk with singing games or the like. 
6. Distribute the bus route and timetable to all interested parties along with a reply slip or an e-mail address for signing up to the event. Participants in the walk should indicate at which bus stop they will get on the bus. Prepare a list of all registered participants including their bus stops. This list should be used for ticking off the ‘passengers’ as they get on the bus. 
7. Encourage parents to join the walking bus with their children. Ensure the permission of parents whose children join the bus without accompaniment of their own parents/escorts. 
8. Consider bringing a pushcart to transport school bags, and the possibility of providing school caps or t-shirts for the children to wear. 
9. Contact local media to see if they could be interested in covering the event. 
10. Register your walk on the Global Diabetes Walk website www.globaldiabeteswalk.net

In the days before the walk

Remind everyone why we are doing the Global Diabetes Walk.
Explain about diabetes and how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Remember that you are not alone - thousands of others around the world will be walking with you.
Prepare the children for the walking bus experience. Remember to discuss traffic rules.

On the day of the walk

The bus team meets at the first bus stop. Register the passengers as the bus moves along its route. When you reach the school, you may consider offering children and parents something to drink, fresh fruit and a healthy snack to start their day. 
Distribute caps and t-shirts if you have. 
Remember to update the website with your results and photos. 
Have fun!

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