NEAT walk: plan the rest of your day's activity
Cool-down for the fitness unit: students walk gently while checking how many steps they have taken today and learn what NEAT is, the non-exercise physical activity of daily life. It ends with a specific plan to reach their movement goal before bedtime.
How to play
- Easy walk around the track, gradually slowing the pace (2 min).
- While still walking, explanation of NEAT: taking the stairs, walking or biking places, standing, household chores (2 min).
- Check on the phone or estimate the steps taken so far today and work out how many are left to the personal goal (2 min).
- In pairs, each student proposes three NEAT moments for the rest of the day and writes them on the card (3 min).
- Out-loud commitment to one specific action for today (1 min).
Rules
- Anyone without a phone or pedometer estimates steps using the conversion table the teacher provides.
- Step data is personal: it is not compared in public.
- Walk outside the areas where other groups are still working.
Variations
Easier
Propose only one NEAT moment and do the calculation with a partner's help.
Standard
Walk, step calculation and a three-moment NEAT plan in pairs.
Harder
Log steps for a week and compare days with and without a plan.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair users: replace steps with minutes of active travel and propose adapted NEAT.
- Overweight students: focus the plan on small, easy actions without comparing numbers.
- Autism: give a closed list of NEAT options to choose from.
Learning goals
- Calm down with a progressive walk.
- Understand the role of non-exercise activity in health.
- Plan daily physical activity realistically.
Equipment for a class of 25
- tablets or phones: 15
- cards: 30
Teacher tip
A handy rule of thumb: 10 minutes of brisk walking is about 1,000 steps. Next class, ask who kept their commitment.
PatioLab has "NEAT walk: plan the rest of your day's activity" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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