5 Fun Lap Counter Ideas for Your Girls on the Run Season
We all need a little extra motivation sometimes! To help girls track how many laps they’ve run and to encourage them to push themselves, Girls on the Run coaches can have girls write check marks on their arms with washable markers or hand out a small item after each lap. Here are just a few of the creative ways we’ve seen coaches help their girls track their progress:
Beads
Letting girls pick a bead for each lap is a low-cost way for girls to track the number of laps they’ve run. Girls can place a bead on a string or in a plastic bag upon completing each lap. At the end of the season, each girl can make a GOTR necklace or bracelet to remember how much she accomplished over the 10 weeks!
Popsicle sticks
Writing positive messages on Popsicle sticks is a great way to share words of encouragement with your girls! Reading things like “Way to go!” and “Keep it up!” will help your girls stay positive and continue to work toward their goals.
Tulle for tutus
Many Girls on the Run teams make tutus for a team unity item at the end-of-season 5K event. Work on your tutus throughout the season by giving girls a piece of tulle for each lap. Girls can tie the tulle to a piece of elastic that goes around their waist or hold on to each piece of tulle while they run. By the end of the season, each girl will have enough tulle to make a full tutu to run in!
Jelly bracelets
Jelly bracelets can be bought in bulk online and come in a variety of fun colors. After each practice, girls can keep the bracelets or give them back so they can be used at the next practice.
Ribbons
For each lap a girl completes, tie a piece of ribbon around her wrist! Curling ribbon is inexpensive and easy to find at local stores.
Do you know someone who would be a great coach for Girls on the Run or Heart & Sole? Our local councils are always in need of volunteers. Find your local council here!
Love what you read? Sign up to receive our emails! Get tips, advice, inspiration
and remarkable stories of women and girls fueling their limitless potential.
