Spring is here, and we’re kicking it off with movement!

Join us in the Active Play Playoffs – a 3-week challenge designed to help your family or classroom build a simple, sustainable habit: 60 minutes of active play, every day. 

This is a no-pressure, no-elimination event. We provide the bracket, and you just bring the movement. With a little consistency and a friendly “this or that” competition, Nex Playground can help you build healthy habits in March.

(And yes, we legally can't say "March Mad***.")

What are the Active Play Playoffs?

The Active Play Playoffs run March 16 - April 7. Here’s what it looks like:

• A participation-first format - there’s no losing here, only moving
• Built around 60 minutes of active play, every day - the benchmark recommended for kids’ long-term health [1]
• Designed for families, classrooms, and community groups

How It Works

Our bracket is a “This or That” format. Each round, you choose between two movement options or Nex Playground games. Pick your favorite, or do both, to decide which one wins. Then move your favorite forward on the bracket.

Don’t have a Nex Playground? No problem. You can apply any active movement style to the bracket, or download the blank version and build your own matchups. Tape the bracket near your TV, or on your class whiteboard to keep your habit front and center over the 3 weeks.

Why It Works

The Active Play Playoffs is in partnership with our own active play advocate, and Chief Pediatric Advisor, Dr. Emily Greenwald.

“Active play doesn’t have to look like intense workouts for kids. What matters most is consistent movement throughout the day. When children move their bodies every day, they build stronger hearts, healthier brains, better sleep, and lifelong habits that support wellness.”
 — Dr. Emily Greenwald, Nex Chief Pediatric Advisor, Nex Playground and host of Active Play, Every Day Podcast

Right now, only about 1 in 4 children gets the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The good news: Building the habit doesn’t require perfection.

A few minutes here. A dance break there. A round of movement games after school. It all counts.

Small moments of movement, repeated day after day, add up to something powerful. Join the Active Play Playoffs and make this the season your family or classroom focuses on active play, every day.

How to Join

Are you ready to move? Here’s how to get started:

1. Download the bracket - choose the Nex Playground version or the blank DIY version
2. Set your daily movement goal for your classroom or family - 60 minutes is the recommendation
3. Make your picks and track your progress - show up every weekday and move the winner forward
4. Share your bracket - tag us to show off what “active play, every day,” looks like in your house or classroom

Nex Playground Educators

We have a dedicated resource pack for bringing the Active Play Playoffs into your classroom or program. It includes printable brackets, stickers for the kids, and a printable certificate of participation. Join us on Circle for the full educator experience.
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Additional Resources

[1] CDC - Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents

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