When school comes back into session, sports start back up, including American football! Many families bond over cheering for their favorite team on a Sunday afternoon, snacking on chips, and talking about the results. Even kids enjoy all of it, but there are ways to make a football game more than just an opportunity to watch television for a few hours a week. What is one of the best ways to make something special while also sneaking in healthy habits, activities, and snacks? A party of course! Having a little party for kids gives them opportunities to socialize with friends, exercise, and make special memories.

1. DIY Jerseys: Have kids bring an old shirt, or a new white shirt from the craft store, and have the kids make a jersey of their own. Use craft paint, felt, glitter, and more to encourage them to express themselves. For smaller ones, make sure you have letters pre-cut or provide assistance helping them write their names.
2. Make your own Healthy Snack: Kids can learn to enjoy the process of making food and enjoying healthy food if they take part in the process. Giving them a sense of agency and choice as they create awesome snacks lets them make something they know they will eat.

BONUS! Snack ideas:

1. • • Personal pizzas: Let each kid create a small, personal pizza, with fun and unique toppings. Make lots of veggies available, different sauces, and different cheeses! Because they’re homemade, it is easier to control the unhealthy ingredients such as the amount of grease. Swap out turkey pepperoni, and even mind allergens such as gluten while letting kids express themselves.

     • Line-up bites: This snack is just ants on a log, but it could look like linemen on the field from the helicopter, couldn’t it? Use Nutella with nuts, or the classic peanut butter with raisins on celery to chomp on during the game. This snack has fiber and protein, depending on the ingredients.

     • Football shaped Rice Krispies Treats: Use the traditional or chocolate Rice Krispies and let the kids mold the treats into football related shapes. Field goals, footballs, or even helmets. Get creative!

2. Football Warm-Ups Relay: Set up a relay race based on football warms ups. Knee ups! Get-downs! Zig zag across the backyard in lots of fun and creative ways to make the party active and fun. Of course, there is also the option to go straight from the relay to a game of flag football too!