This year’s theme is HEART – caring for it, and each other, both physically and emotionally. HEART health and following your HEART will guide our learning and adventures outside as we work our way through our classic weekly topics of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION, FAMILY, and WINTER CARNIVAL, all guided along by this year’s PLAYBook.
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Maine Schools
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Maine Students
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weeks of outdoor learning
January, 2026
January 12
Opening Ceremonies
Participating schools across Maine kick off the 9th Annual WinterKids Winter Games with an outdoor opening ceremony!
January 12-16
Week 1: Physical Activity
January 19-23
Week 2: Nutrition
January 26-30
Week 3: Family Engagement
February, 2026
February 2-6
Week 4: Winter Carnival
February 6
Closing Ceremonies
Students across Maine celebrate all they have accomplished together with a Closing Ceremony celebration!
February 13
Medal Winners and Final Results Announced
Sign Up for Email Alerts
Winter Games Live!
2026 Competitive Track
These Maine elementary schools have committed to full-school participation as part of the WinterKids Winter Games Competitive Track.
Follow along as schools across Maine celebrate learning outdoors and compete for up to $5,000 in support for their school!
Leaderboard
Competitive Track schools are scored based on the rubrics they submit at the close of each week.
One school per week will receive one bonus point for the winning Moment of the Week submission, as judged by an independent panel of WinterKids sponsors.
Leaderboard standings and new school highlights will be published by 10:00 AM on Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, and Feb 11 (excluding 1st-3rd place after week 4), with final standings updated by Friday, Feb 13, by 5 pm.
| POS # | SCHOOL | WK 1 | WK 2 | WK 3 | WK 4 | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Hill School | ||||||
| Community Regional Charter School | ||||||
| Dirigo Elementary School | ||||||
| Fort O'Brien School | ||||||
| Hall-Dale Elementary School | ||||||
| Harrison Elementary School | ||||||
| Miller School | ||||||
| Milo Elementary School | ||||||
| Phippsburg Elementary School | ||||||
| SeDoMoCha Schools | ||||||
| Shapleigh School | ||||||
| South School | ||||||
| Suzanne M Smith Elementary School | ||||||
| Woodland Consolidated School |
About the Winter Games Competitive Track
About the WinterKids Winter Games Competitive Track:
The Winter Games Competitive Track provides an opportunity for schools to earn cash prizes (up to $5,000!) by engaging students, staff, faculty, and the community in healthy outdoor activities. Teams (schools) participate by earning points for completing activities outlined in our weekly rubrics.
It’s a commitment. It’s competitive. It’s community-building.
The whole school gets involved and fosters a love of winter by moving and learning outside during Maine’s BEST season.
How it Works
How it works:
In early December, schools receive a comprehensive toolkit, including PLAYBooks and incentives, for every registered student.
Over the four weeks of the Winter Games, schools can earn up to 25 points per week based on a rubric of challenges.
One school per week is awarded one bonus point for the winning Moment of the Week submission, as judged by an independent panel of WinterKids sponsors.
ALL Competitive Track schools will receive cash and prizes regardless of their final ranking. Top cash prizes go to Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal-winning schools.
What Competitive Track Schools Can Expect
What Competitive Track Schools Can Expect:
- Four weeks of outdoor competition for the entire student body and faculty (extra points for non-teaching staff)
- A comprehensive PLAYBook and weekly rubrics to guide your team to success
- A pre-competition webinar for lead teachers to guide your team to success
- Community involvement to support your school
- Parent & family engagement, the likes of which you may not have seen before
- The four weeks will fly by when engaged in this fun, friendly competition!
Eligibility
The eligibility and selection process for the Competitive Track is as follows:
- Any public elementary school in Maine can apply, EXCEPT for previous WinterKids Winter Games GOLD Medal Winners.
- All schools selected for the WinterKids Winter Games Competitive Track are at the discretion of WinterKids.
Preference is given to schools with:
- The least access to community resources and supports.
- Adherence to the instructions outlined on our application.
Past Winners
Past WinterKids Winter Games Winning Schools:
2025
🥇 Gold Medal: Rangeley Lakes Regional School | Rangeley, ME
🥈 Silver Medal: Lamoine Consolidated School | Lamoine, ME
🥉 Bronze Medal: Community Regional Charter School | Cornville, ME
2024
🥇 Williams-Cone School | Topsham, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥈 Rangeley Lakes Regional School | Rangeley, Maine (Franklin County)
🥉 West Bath School | West Bath, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
2023
🥇 Leroy H. Smith School | Winterport, Maine (Waldo County)
🥈 Williams-Cone School | Topsham, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥉 Rangeley Lakes Regional School | Rangeley, Maine (Franklin County)
2022
🥇 Jonesport Elementary | Jonesport, Maine (Washington County)
🥈 West Bath School | West Bath, Maine (Sagadahoc County)
🥉 Leroy H. Smith School | Winterport, Maine (Waldo County)
2021
Due to COVID, no medals awarded | fully remote edition of the Winter Games.
2020
🥇 Prescott Memorial School | Washington, Maine (Knox County)
🥈 Jonesport Elementary | Jonesport, Maine (Washington County)
🥉Dr. Levesque Elementary School | Frenchville, Maine (Aroostook County)
2019
🥇 Searsport Elementary School | Searsport, ME (Waldo County)
🥈 Ames Elementary School | Searsmont, ME (Waldo County)
🥉 Canal School | Westbrook, ME (Cumberland County)
2018
🥇 Dayton Consolidated School | Dayton, ME (York County)
🥈 Skillin School | South Portland, ME (Cumberland County)
🥉 Miles Lane School | Bucksport, ME (Hancock County)
Media Inquiries:
Kristel Hayes
Marketing & Communications Manager
WinterKids
207-871-5700 x 104
khayes@winterkids.org
Marion Doyle
Education Director
WinterKids
207-871-5700 x 103
mdoyle@winterkids.org
Register to Play Along!
Get a free PLAYBook for Every Student, While Supplies Last
We are excited to see so many classrooms joining in and cannot wait to keep the fun and learning going all winter.
While our full toolkits are sold out, you can still join the fun and play along. Register below, and we’ll send you a free PLAYBook for every participating student.
