Last-minute Lights On Afterschool ideas

Only 2 weeks remain until the nation celebrates the largest rally for afterschool programs. It’s not too late to get involved. Whether you want to do something big or small, here are a few ways to get involved in Lights On Afterschool!

Take part in the #LightbulbChallenge! Every year we challenge you and your social media friends to recreate our Lights On logo! Strike a pose, snap a photo, and post it on social media with a message of support for afterschool and the handle of the person you're challenging to participate. Use it to highlight your staff or honor an afterschool champion in your community. Be sure to tag #LightbulbChallenge and #LightsOnAfterschool so we can share your post!

And while on social: Tell the world why you’re keeping the Lights On Afterschool. We’ve provided the templates in our social media toolkit; all you need to do is customize and post! Follow the #LightsOnAfterschool hashtag to see how other afterschool programs are celebrating!

Get creative with lightbulbs. Each year, thousands of our printable lightbulbs are decorated across the country. Hang these colorful designs in hallways or mail them directly to your local Congressional district office as a bright reminder to your representative that afterschool matters. You can also use our Lights On Afterschool activity pages, word searches, and more to engage participants at your event.

Crack open some books. There are endless ways to promote reading and literacy at your Lights On Afterschool event. Book-themed event ideas include dressing like your favorite adventurer or book character and bringing in your favorite book to show and tell. Have participants read to each other, the crowd, or create a book drive for others to donate and pick up books.

Go green. No matter the theme of your Lights On Afterschool event, you can promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices by going paperless, recycling materials, or mapping your carbon footprint.

Taking up knitting or crocheting afterschool helps youth unwind, build focus and self-esteem, and feel a sense of accomplishment — simple habits that go a long way for mental well-being. Use the following links to bring a crochet project to your Light On Afterschool celebration. Learn to Cast On: Long Tail Cast On, Learn the Knit Stitch, Learn to Crochet

Chow down on healthy food. Lights On Afterschool provides a great opportunity to teach kids about nutrition and healthy eating while they enjoy a meal. Visit our Health & Well-Being theme page for more information on keeping kids nourished—at a Lights On Afterschool event or all year round.

Light up a landmark. Request a special Lights On Afterschool lighting of a statue, fountain, or park in your community; host a lantern lighting where students design, decorate, and release lanterns into the evening sky; or grab a projector and a lightbulb design and light up the side of your own building! (Be sure to share pictures on social media at #LightsOnAfterschool and #LightUpALandmark!)

Curious minds come alive through hands-on STEM exploration. Check out the STEM activities designed just for afterschool practitioners on Mizzen Education, a free digital learning platform. Mizzen features fun, enriching, high-quality STEM and STEAM activities for every grade level.

Remember, Lights On Afterschool events do not need to be huge or expensive to be effective, so feel free to celebrate in a way that best fits your community. There are endless ways to celebrate afterschool!