WinterKids Winter Games

Mark your calendar for the WinterKids Winter Games!

January 13 – February 7, 2025

Our unique annual academic challenge encourages outdoor physical activity, teamwork, and a passion for learning outdoors in winter.

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Four weeks of fun, outdoor learning challenges for elementary students!
16 Maine elementary schools competed in our 2024 Competitive Track winning cash and prizes for their schools! CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS.
ANY Elementary can participate at their own pace as part of our non-competitive Play-Along Track!

WinterKids Winter Games Participation Tracks Explained:

Full-school participation is required in completing daily activities throughout the Games.
Schools across Maine are selected to compete through an application process.
Each school is outfitted with the WinterKids Learn Outside Guide and toolkits with our PLAYBook and weekly incentives for all participating students.
Competing schools are scored based on how well they complete all of the daily activities.
All participating schools earn cash and prizes.

Classes can participate independently or with other classes in the same school, following the activities at their own pace.
Thanks to support from Maine businesses and foundations, toolkits containing the Winter Games PLAYBook and weekly incentives are FREE for registered classrooms in MAINE.
Schools outside of Maine can receive toolkits containing the Winter Games PLAYBook and weekly incentives for a per-student cost of $8.50.
The digital WinterGames PLAYBook and supplemental resources are always available for FREE.
Opportunities to win prizes through our Play Along Track photo contest.

The community has been super excited, the whole school, there's been a different atmosphere and we're just really happy to be chosen to be part of this, this year.

Hillary Hoyt

Teacher / Leroy H. Smith School

Kudos to you and this organization for mapping out such a wonderful program for Maine schools. I have been blown away by every aspect of this initiative.

Christine Bertinet

Principal / Waterboro Elementary School

Win or lose, this has been a wonderful experience for our staff and our community.

Ben Tripp

Principal / Ash Point Community School

Of course we want to win! But I feel like we've already won... It's an immediate result. You can see the difference in the kids."

Crystal DaGraca

Principal / Swan's Island School

Ok, first and foremost, this is the COOLEST program. The amount of thought that has gone into it is incredible.

Sam Person

PE Teacher / Waterboro Elementary School

I am SO thankful for the impact this Winter Kids competition has on our kids. In this short time, the changes in attitudes, physical activity, even the helpfulness of students was very heart-warming.

School Nurse

Piscataquis Community Elementary School

Because of this competition, my family is now rethinking our snack choices and making healthier ones, our kids and community have formed a wonderful bond coming together for one goal, and you managed to get a Mom, who hates winter and the cold, outside embracing the beauty of Maine having fun with her kids.

Dayton Consolidated School Mom

How do you combine a community, school, home, nutrition, exercise, team, kids, parents, teachers, school spirit, awareness, and fun? Participate in WinterKids Winter Games!! Seriously had no idea how amazing this would be and what our community was capable of! The support and Camaraderie is incredible. What a positive experience this has been for our kids and all the parents too!

Christina Barber

It has been inspirational to watch our community unite around a common purpose of healthy, active kids.

Sarah Maxwell

Assistant Principal / Waldo T. Skillen School

Let's just say several parents told me their students were sleeping better at night and at school we've had much less behavior issues this week! Two very big positives for WinterKids Winter Games challenge week #2!!

C. Ellis

Principal / Miles Lane Elementary

This was truly an inspiration to the kids, staff and families to embrace the winters here in Maine, more than they already have.

C. Agreste

School Nurse / Dayton Consolidated School

Recent Winter Games News & Updates

WinterKids Launches 2024 Community Vote for Outdoor Fund, Announces $25,000 in Statewide Grants

WinterKids is excited to announce the opening of the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund 2024 application window. This marks the third year of the Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund, continuing WinterKids’ efforts to expand access to outdoor activities among children throughout Maine.

South Portland Middle School Student D24 Outdoor Fund FY24

Schools, parks & rec programs, and nonprofits across Maine can apply now for a portion of $25,000 in grants through the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund

Winter Games 2024 featured image for web

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal Winning Schools announced in the 7th Annual WinterKids Winter Games

The 7th annual WinterKids Winter Games wrapped up this February with 16 schools competing statewide to win a total of $17,750 for their schools! The Winter Games is a 4-week series of challenges in outdoor physical activity, nutrition, family engagement, and winter carnival. All Competitive Track schools received a cash prize based on how they finished.