Bring Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) to Your School

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a fun student leadership program for elementary students. Students in the Junior and Intermediate grades are trained to lead safe, inclusive, active games for younger students during recess.

Here’s how it works:

• School staff are trained by their local School Health public health nurse to become PALS facilitators.
• These trained facilitators then teach and support student leaders in their school.
• The student leaders help create an inclusive and active school yard by inviting everyone to join in the fun.

The motto of the program is “there’s always room for one more!” PALS helps create a school community where students feel safe, included and accepted.

Student Health Benefits

The PALS program supports students' health and well-being by:

Building student leadership skills

Older students (Junior and Intermediate grades) can grow as leaders by:

• Solving problems using positive communication, cooperation, and compromise
•  Learning to be responsible, helpful role models on the playground while building confidence.

These are important life skills that help students in and out of school.

Increasing students’ sense of belonging and inclusion

When students feel like they belong, they’re more likely to be happy and do well at school. PALS helps build a positive and welcoming school yard by:

• Encouraging sharing, teamwork, and respect
• Helping younger students feel included in safe and fun game
• Supporting bullying prevention by creating caring, respectful relationships between students

A positive school climate happens when everyone feels safe, included, and accepted. 

Increasing physical activity and physical literacy

PALS gets students moving in fun ways while building their physical confidence. Through a variety of games and activities, students can:

• Practice fundamental movement skills (such as running, jumping and throwing)
• Learn simple game rules and strategies
• Develop confidence and motivation to stay active

Being active supports students’ physical, social, emotional, and mental development.

Teaching and Learning

The PALS program supports learning by providing opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, build positive relationships and practice social-emotional skills while participating in physical activity.

Physical Literacy is also reflected in the Vision and Goals of the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum.  Learn more: Health and Physical Education (gov.on.ca).

Resources Required

Schools need to identify at least one staff member or volunteer to facilitate the PALS program.

We provide access to facilitator training and downloadable resources to support implementation of the PALS program, including:

• Facilitator Handbook and Student Training Guide 
• Student Leader Handbook 
• Games Book 
• Forms and Certificates

These PALS program resources were created and approved for use only within Ontario. 

PALS games are designed to use little or no equipment. They can be played using objects found in the natural environment or equipment commonly available in schools, such as balls, skipping ropes and hula hoops.

Schools may choose to purchase additional equipment to enhance their PALS program, if desired.

Contact Us

For more information or support, contact your local School Health public health nurse. You can also contact the health unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or complete our secure online Request for Service Form.

Updated: November 6, 2026