oshc activities
Healthy Heart Day / Heart Rate Check

Heart Rate Check

Children measure their pulse before and after exercise to see how activity changes their heart rate.

How to run it

  1. Show children how to find their pulse on their wrist or neck.
  2. Count beats for 15 seconds while resting and multiply by four.
  3. Do a minute of star jumps or running on the spot.
  4. Measure again and compare the results.

You will need

  • timer
  • recording sheets
  • pencils
Make it easier or harderYounger children can feel their heartbeat speed up; older children can graph results over different activities.
SafetyLet children rest if they feel unwell and check for any known heart or medical conditions.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 3, Outcome 4Children explore how their bodies work and record simple data.

Fits these theme days

Healthy Heart DayScience DayScience WeekAfter School Quick STEM

More like this

After School Quick STEM · Science Week · Science Day +3

Cup Tower Book Challenge

Children engineer a tower from cups and card strong enough to hold a book, testing ideas about balance, load and stable bases.

IndoorModerateGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6After School Quick STEM · Science Week · Science Day +2

Twisted Paper Loop Magic

Children make a twisted paper loop, predict what will happen when they cut it, then discover the surprising one-sided shape that results.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6After School Quick STEM · Paper Crafts Day · Challenge Day +2

One-Sheet Paper Chain

Teams try to make the longest possible paper chain from a single sheet, planning how to cut and join strips for maximum length.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6After School Quick STEM · Science Week · Science Day +3

Spaghetti and Tape Tower

Small teams build the tallest free-standing tower they can from dry spaghetti and tape, learning about triangles, bracing and teamwork.

IndoorModerateGrab-and-goYears 4 to 6