Making Physical Activity Easier

Making physical activity easier for Alaska children

Alaska kids are great at getting out to play in any weather. But coordinating outdoor play can be a struggle during the school day.

Petersburg, in Southeast Alaska, faces the challenge of many rainy days. Utqiaġvik, in the northernmost region of Alaska, has little or no sunlight in the winter months. These communities made physical activity more accessible by building playgrounds that children could use anytime — regardless of the weather.

Covered playgrounds make playing outside easier

STEDMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, PETERSBURG — The national Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans say that school-age children should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Kids can get that activity through recess, physical education class, and activities before and after school. The school district in Petersburg, a small community of about 3,000, helps children maximize their time at play.

Petersburg is located among the islands of the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska. That means it's located in the rainforest. The rain doesn't stop elementary kids from playing outside, though. That's because their school playgrounds come with outdoor roofs that cover basketball hoops, foursquare games, and other areas for play.

"We don't hold kids in for rain," said Ginger Evens, wellness coordinator and teacher for the Petersburg School District. "Anybody can play, anywhere."

Inside playgrounds make play possible all year

FRED IPALOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, UTQIAĠVIK — Travel more than 1,000 air miles north to Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow, and you'll find about 4,500 people living along the Arctic Ocean. Utqiaġvik is the farthest north community in the United States. It's known for having no sunlight during winter, with cold temperatures and many feet of snow.

These dark, cold and snowy conditions don't stop Utqiaġvik kids from playing, because Ipalook Elementary built its playground inside. An entire playground is in the heated school building. The playground includes jungle gyms, slides, ladders, basketball hoops, and open space.

How to support change

Both schools give credit to teachers, administrators, parents, and other community members for making it possible for them to make these changes. The playground help give kids their best chance for health and success in school.

This is what Alaska communities are doing to help kids grow up healthy. What can your community do?

For ideas on how to provide healthy foods, drinks, and physical activity for kids, return to: