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Learning That Starts With Play

Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

12 Activities

Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab

Nickelodeon + Mizzen Education

3 - 5

12 Hours

Attention, Funologists! Nickelodeon's Our World is calling on young innovators to join them in their Play Lab to help design thrilling new games for Worldwide Day of Play. This adventure starts in the with exploring a variety of games to uncover what makes them fun and exciting. Equipped with these insights, participants will then craft their own unique game from scratch, aiming to make it a success on the big day. This innovative learning journey creates experiences that improve youths' health, wellbeing, and agency. Join us to collaborate, innovate, and turn fun into reality!

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Crack the code of fun through playful learning experiences rooted in science, math, creativity, and collaboration. With ready-to-use activities built around student voice and everyday materials, Nickelodeon’s Our World: Play Lab invites grades 3–5 to dream, design, debate, and play their way through hands-on activities. Grab some noodles and spoons, jump into the role of a Funologist, and let curiosity lead.

Mastering Play as a Funologist

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Mastering Play as a Funologist

3 - 5

1 Hour

Welcome to Nickelodeon’s Our World Play Lab! Youth are tasked with helping Nickelodeon create the most exciting and fun games ever for Worldwide Day of Play. Youth learn what it takes to become a Funologist by using science and math to design and build cool new games. As Funologists, they’ll explore what makes a game fun. Youth will play exciting games like the Tennis-Ball-On-A-Spoon Race and Pool Noodle Javelin Toss, and evaluate them using the Lab’s Worldwide Day of Play - Game Criteria Checklist. Get ready for a session full of creativity, teamwork, and celebration!

The activity is 1 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Exploring Fun: Shared Joys and Individual Favorites

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Exploring Fun: Shared Joys and Individual Favorites

3 - 5

1 Hour

Does everyone always agree on everything? No! Definitely not. People have their own personal preferences, even when it comes to games. In this second lesson of the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module, youth expand their understanding of game evaluation to include both universal criteria and personal preferences. Youth begin to discover what they personally love about games and compare it to what most people enjoy.

This is activity 2 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Strategy or Luck: The Great Game Debate

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Strategy or Luck: The Great Game Debate

3 - 5

1 Hour

Welcome to "Strategy or Luck: The Great Game Debate"! Youth explore extreme variations in game design: strategy versus luck. Through hands-on gameplay and critical analysis, youth discover the distinct challenges and rewards each type of game offers. By the end of the lesson, youth will gain a deeper understanding of their gaming preferences and the factors contributing to enjoyable gameplay experiences. So, let the games begin, and may the best strategy—or luck—prevail!

This is activity 3 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Graduating from Junior Funologist Training

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Graduating from Junior Funologist Training

3 - 5

1 Hour

Youth explore their personal game preferences by examining patterns in their Play Preference Sheet. They'll reflect on the types of games they consistently enjoy or dislike and consider why. The activities involve observation and active play, allowing youth to analyze games based on universal fun criteria and their preferences. This reflective process helps them understand their tastes and hone their data analysis skills, making it a valuable and engaging activity for young learners.

This is activity 4 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Soccer Skills and Drills

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Soccer Skills and Drills

3 - 5

1 Hour

Welcome to Day 5 of the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module! This session kicks off with youth creating a "Funologist Energize Routine" to get everyone excited and ready to play each day. Youth then focus on mastering soccer skills through creative drills like Crab Soccer and Volcanoes. Each activity is designed to improve footwork and teamwork while having a blast.

This is activity 5 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Build Your Own Obstacle Course

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

3 - 5

1 Hour

Obstacle courses are fun for all ages. They allow for creativity and get youth moving in inventive ways. In the 6th activity of The Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module, youth explore different types of movement as they build and navigate obstacle courses.

This is activity 6 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Imaginative Play

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Imaginative Play

3 - 5

1 Hour

Release the creativity! In this exhilarating adventure, youth harness the power of fun to create an imaginative role-play where youth explore both fictional and real roles, characters and personas. This lesson takes playing family to a whole new level.

This is activity 7 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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3-Line Soccer

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

3-Line Soccer

3 - 5

1 Hour

Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement! Imagine three rows of eager participants lined up behind a colorful array of cones. Teams of three unite for a lightning-paced game of mini soccer. But here’s the kick: as they move the ball with their feet, they’ll also evaluate the game with their minds, ensuring that every moment is not just thrilling but also a valuable learning experience. Using the Our World Day of Play—Game Criteria Checklist, youth will determine just how fun soccer really is.

This is activity 8 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Mastering Play as a Funologist

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Mastering Play as a Funologist

3 - 5

1 Hour

The activity is 1 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Exploring Fun: Shared Joys and Individual Favorites

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Exploring Fun: Shared Joys and Individual Favorites

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 2 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Strategy or Luck: The Great Game Debate

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Strategy or Luck: The Great Game Debate

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 3 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Graduating from Junior Funologist Training

Leadership and Teamwork, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Graduating from Junior Funologist Training

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 4 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Soccer Skills and Drills

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Soccer Skills and Drills

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 5 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Build Your Own Obstacle Course

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 6 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Imaginative Play

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Imaginative Play

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 7 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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3-Line Soccer

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

3-Line Soccer

3 - 5

1 Hour

This is activity 8 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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Handball

Leadership and Teamwork, Whole Body, Whole Self

Handball

3 - 5

1 Hour

The term handball is used to describe a variety of sports and games, typically involving hitting a ball with the hands. In this activity, youth play a version of the popular game in many elementary schools. The version is often called wallball because the game involves a ball hitting a wall. All forms of handball are excellent for developing hand-eye coordination.

This is activity 9 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World:The Play Lab Module.

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Our World Day of Play: Game Analysis and Plan

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Arts in Action

Our World Day of Play: Game Analysis and Plan

3 - 5

1 Hour

It’s time for youth to create their games for the Worldwide Day of Play! Youth collaborate as they analyze their collected data to discern which game elements ensure a FUN GAME. They independently brainstorm and design their games, sharing their designs with a peer to receive feedback.

This is activity 10 of 12 in the Nickelodeon Our World: The Play Lab Module.

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From bite-sized activities to full-length modules, explore free, standards-aligned content created with collaborators like the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs, Nickelodeon, Pulitzer Center, The Nature Conservancy, VentureLab, PowerUp Fitness, !Mpact Players, and more.