Kids Heart Challenge - Elementary Schools

The Kids Heart Challenge is held at schools across the country, delivering heart-healthy physical activity through service learning for the American Heart Association.

Kids Heart Challenge

What is the Kids Heart Challenge?

Building on key learnings from nearly 50 years in America’s schools, the Kids Heart Challenge focuses on whole body well-being, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids with special hearts.

Take the Challenge

Register your school or get more information.

Why should your school register to participate?

Earn Give-Backs and Incentives

  • Earn US Games certificates as well as receive 10% off when using certificates and free shipping.
  • Direct contributions back to your school.
  • Participating schools are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in grant funding.

Build Your Curriculum

  • OPEN curriculum provides a series of classroom-based physical activity plans and resources that support social and emotional learning.
  • PE-focused curriculum modules for physical, personal and social responsibility.
  • More curriculum in development to support whole child.

Support Your Community

  • Fun interactive characters that reinforce emotional and physical well-being with augmented reality interface and easy online fundraising.
  • Updates to our popular app and new Heart Hero characters with encouraging messages to support the whole child.
  • Facebook community site for educators to share stories, best practices and successes.

How does it work?

The Kids Heart Challenge prepares kids for success by supporting their physical and mental well-being. To do so, the American Heart Association has pulled together step-by-step instructions for physical education instructors, coaches or teachers to host fun activities in your school with engaging educational modules that teach heart-healthy information to your students.

OPEN, a public service of US Games and BSN Sports, is a proud supporter and provides amazing resources, including:

  • Complete activity curriculum modules for your school’s chosen event: jump, basketball, dance, warrior and more
  • Active classroom physical activity breaks
  • Curriculum modules to teach personal and social responsibility
  • Heart-healthy academic language tools
  • Family engagement ideas
  • More than 40 fitness- and skill-based instruction modules

Additional AHA resources include:

  • Downloadable lesson plans
  • Interactive skills resources
  • Grade-specific ideas for a successful American Heart Challenge event
  • NFL PLAY60 videos, vignettes and virtual field trips powered by Discovery Education
  • Resources for healthy eating, physical activity and wellness in the classroom
  • Communication starters for faculty and parents to address growing concerns about teen vaping and smoking

We're Here to Help!

Specially trained American Heart Association staff or volunteers will be available every step of the way to support your program. If you have any questions or need help, please contact us at 877-824-8531.