Clif Kid announced six finalists for the second annual Backyard Game of the Year contest, in which the brand challenges kids to reconnect with imaginative outdoor play by inventing the most creative backyard game. On July 14, the six finalists will unveil their games at Marina Green in San Francisco for the chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and other prizes at the Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs.



Free to the public, kids from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond are invited to join Clif Kid for a lively afternoon of playing the finalists’ backyard games. A celebrity panel of judges, which include U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Freestyle Skiing Jonny Moseley, and best-selling author and outdoor play advocate Richard Louv, will watch the games in action and decide who wins this year’s Backyard Game of the Year title.


“As a kid, I spent a lot of time outside, jumping off of things, cardboard sliding and building skate ramps and forts,” said Moseley. “Getting creative outside is a huge part of who I was then and who I am now. As a parent, I am even more aware that kids need the encouragement and the freedom to run around outside. I look forward to every chance I have at helping kids lead fun, active lives and I am really excited to be a part of an awesome day at Clif Kid’s Backyard Game Playoffs.”

The six finalists are:

 


  • Dance Tag by Lana, age 7, Peculiar, MO;

  • Footloose Derby by Madison, age 7, Port Orange, FL;

  • North Pole South Pole by Abigail, age 7, Albany, OR;

  • Sidewalk Chalk Adventure by Healy, age 6, Wolfeboro, NH;

  • Tortoise & the Hare Ball by Dhani, age 8, Rancho Cucamonga, CA;

  • Zombie Hunt by Jack, age 8, Greenfield, WI


“Kids’ imaginations ignite when they play outside,” said Louv. “At the Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs, we’re going to see creativity in action. Outdoor play is such a key part of kids’ health and cognitive development; it will be thrilling to watch these kids as they inspire others to join in the fun.”



Results from a 2012 national survey conducted by Kelton Research, commissioned by Clif Kid, revealed that most parents agree kids who play outdoors tend to be healthier (84%), more adventurous (81%) and stronger (71%). The survey also revealed that while parents believe kids should ideally get 13 hours of outdoor playtime each week, kids are only averaging nine hours.
Event details are available at http://www.clifkidbackyardgame.com.


“Clif Kid knows that parents want their kids to lead active and healthy lives,” said Jennifer Yun, brand director for Clif Kid. “That’s why we are so excited to host the second annual Backyard Game of the Year to connect kids with the joy and benefits of playing outside more often. We are always impressed with the creative entries we receive from kids across the country, and every year it is hard to pick the top entries for the Playoffs. We look forward to seeing the finalists’ games come alive in July.”


Contest Details
Backyard game ideas were submitted online by kids ages 6-12 and their parents between March 20 and June 17, 2012. The six finalists were selected based on the contest criteria, which look for the game’s originality, creativity and ability to be played outside using basic household items. These six kids will appear at the Clif Kid Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs to present their games. Each finalist will receive a Marin bicycle and a Bell helmet. The grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship and the five runners-up will each win a $1,000 educational scholarship.


All six games will be available for download on the Clif Kid Backyard Game website after the Playoffs. To further reach families and motivate kids to engage in more outdoor play, the winning game will be reproduced and donated to Children & Nature Network, a non-profit organization working to reconnect kids with nature.