Challenge Day's vision is that every child lives in a world where they feel safe, loved and celebrated.
opens in new window

Challenge Day Store
E-Newsletter
safe subscribe logo


Calendar
Getting Help
Handbooks & Docs
Sitemap
Our Program
Get Involved
About Us

Activities

You can make Challenge Day a part of every day with these activities for creating compassionate, respectful school environments. Even if your school isn't having a Challenge Day, these are great ideas for building connection and community on your campus. Use these activities as starting points, and brainstorm your own!

1. Poster Campaign

Students make posters or banners announcing your upcoming Challenge Day event(s).

2. Parent/Community Information Night

Host an informational night introducing your Be the Change Team and goals. Show the 15-minute Challenge Day video. Include an "If you really knew me ..." partner exercise.

3. Announce Daily or Weekly Challenges

Here are some examples:

  • The Challenge for today is to invite someone new to eat lunch with you and your friends.
  • The Challenge for today is to say hello to ten new people.
  • The Challenge for today is to do something nice for someone without them knowing it.
  • The Challenge for today is to say you're sorry to someone you know you've hurt in the past.
  • The Challenge for today is to compliment at least three people at school today.
  • The Challenge for today is to write a card or letter thanking someone you love.
  • The Challenge for today is to give an unexpected gift to someone.
  • The Challenge for today is to thank a teacher or other adult for making a difference in your life.

4. Secret Buddies

Assign each Be the Change Team student member a secret buddy on campus. This buddy is someone they can do nice things for without the person knowing. Have participating buddies share their experiences.

5. Classroom Community Building Activity

Have students find a partner they don't already know very well. Instruct students to interview one another and learn as much as possible about the other person. Next, have the interviewers introduce their partners to the entire class as a new friend. For example, "I'd like to introduce you to my new friend, (Person's Name). Some things you would love about him/her are ...." For a twist, other students in the class can be asked to add one or two positive observations of their own.

6. Student Outreach Team

Organize a team of students to serve as peer greeters. These peer greeters welcome new students to campus and look for students who are being neglected or left out. They may also prepare a new student welcome and orientation packet, and honor members of their team for their campus contributions.

7. Appreciation Letters

Have students write an appreciation letter to someone they really love, and share this letter and why they wrote it with a classmate.