More than 10,200 students across Maine zipped up their coats, laced their boots, and headed outside, Jan. 12, 2026, for the official kickoff of the 2026 WinterKids Winter Games, a four-week outdoor learning and wellness challenge that transforms winter into a season of joy, learning, and connection.

Among them are students from Miller Elementary School, in Waldoboro; Warren Community School; Prescott Memorial School, in Washington; Union Elementary School; Friendship Village School; South School Elementary, in Rockland; Searsport Elementary School; and Leroy H. Smith School, in Winterport.

Now in its ninth year, the Winter Games invites elementary schools to compete or play along in a series of weekly outdoor activities tied to physical education, nutrition, winter safety, and family engagement, according to WinterKids, in a news release. Each week includes themed lessons, movement challenges, and school spirit events, all designed to get kids moving, learning, and exploring outdoors.

"The Winter Games offer schools something to look forward to during month of January," says Marion Doyle, education director at WinterKids. "Our program promotes a school-wide sense of camaraderie and a love for winter. Students and teachers alike benefit from fun, healthy, outdoor education."

This year’s theme, “Heart,” will encourage students to build healthy habits that strengthen both body and mind. The program also highlights movement, mindfulness, and community spirit.

2026 Winter Games by the Numbers:

• 88 schools registered
• Over 10,200 students participating
• Over 1,100 teachers and wellness team members engaged
• $18,000 in cash awards to be distributed statewide

Each participating classroom receives the Winter Games PLAYBook for all participating students, weekly incentives, and access to weekly prize drawings. WinterKids still has approximately 800 free PLAYBooks available for Maine classrooms participating in the Play-Along track. These ready-to-use guides help teachers bring the Winter Games into their classrooms with movement-based activities, reflection prompts, and outdoor learning challenges making it easy for students to join the fun even if their school isn’t competing. PLAYBooks are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Register to Play Along and follow the fun: Track updates from participating schools or register to play along at WinterKids.org/Winter-Games.

The 2026 WinterKids Winter Games are made possible through the generous support of SnackPals, Backyard Farms, Aroma Joe’s, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MMG Insurance, and Stockhouse Restaurant.

All WinterKids programs are made possible thanks to dedicated Community Partners: WEX, Portland Media Group, WMTW Channel 8, Agren, Central Maine Power, and LL Bean.

WinterKids helps children across Maine develop healthy lifelong habits through education and outdoor winter activity. The Winter Games are just one of many programs designed to make winter inclusive, active, and fun, especially for kids in rural and under resourced communities. Learn more at www.winterkids.org.