Tomorrow, October 6^th is Nickelodeon’s 9^th annual Worldwide Day of Play!

From 12pm to 3pm ET, the Nickelodeon Network will go dark (i.e., stop all programming) to encourage kids and families to get outside and PLAY!

This year, the U.S. Tennis Association supporting Worldwide Day of Play by hosting a series of FREE Tennis Play Days in communities across the country. Tennis is a lifelong sport, and Tennis Play Days are designed to engage people of all ages and skill levels (including parents!). Each event will feature kid-sized courts and racquets that make the sport easy to learn and fun for even the youngest players. Tennis Play Days began in September to celebrate Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Some cities and towns will continue to these events after tomorrow. Find an event near you at YouthTennis.com.

(Photo credit: Tammy Leathem/USTA)

Not into tennis? There are plenty of other ways to participate in Worldwide Day of Play. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Gather a group of friends and host a Play Day in your neighborhood
• Watch Nick’s inspirational videos about why people love to play
• Sign up for the PALA+ Challenge and choose any activity to get started
• Get outside! Visit a nearby park, trail, beach, or lake, and start moving!
• Take part in events or programs at your local Boys & Girls Club

Be safe, be active, and have fun!

Ali Kelley is the Deputy Associate Director for Let’s Move Outside!

Editor's note: USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men’s and women’s basketball in the United States.

With 27 million participants, basketball is the number one team sport in the country! No matter where you live, chances are, you can find a hoop – and other players– in your neighborhood.

Following gold medal performances by both the men’s and women’s U.S. basketball teams at this summer’s Olympics, there’s no time like the present to pick up a ball, find a group of friends, and start working the court!

Watch this video of the WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx explain why it's important to get active:

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips from USA Basketball will inspire you to get moving!

Ten Tips for Getting Involved in Basketball

1. Basketball works multiple muscle groups. The sport involves running, jumping, and lateral movements, plus it’s a great cardiovascular and strength workout that improves your coordination. Be sure to warm up and cool down properly, and have plenty of water on hand.
2. Did you know the first Olympic basketball game was played outside on a clay court in 1936? You can play basketball practically anywhere – as long as you have a ball and something to shoot into!
3. While a typical basketball game is played with five on each side, you don't need five other people to play:
   • Find one or more partners for a friendly game of H-O-R-S-E. To begin, Player 1 chooses a spot on the court and take a shot. If Player 1 makes the shot, Player 2 must take a shot from the same spot. If Player 2 misses the shot, he/she receives a letter – in this case “H.” If Player 1 misses the shot, Player 2 can shoot from any spot on the court. If this shot is made, Player 1 must make the same shot, and so on…The game continues until one player receives all 5 letters that spell out the word, “H-O-R-S-E.”
   • On your own, try different trick shots. Shoot over the back of the backboard, from the half court line, behind the back, etc. It will help your overall game and also wow your friends the next time you play with them.
4. Shooting is only one part of the game. Become quicker and a better dribbler by dribbling while you doing sprints and dribble through an obstacle course. Set up cones or ladders on any hard surface and time yourself as you dribble through the course. Set goals and challenge yourself to improve your times in 3-6 weeks. Jump roping is also a fun way to get faster. Try these 5 jump roping drills to get started.
5. From youth ball to adult leagues, there are many opportunities to get involved in basketball. To find a club or team in your area, contact your local YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, or your city or county parks and recreation department.
6. Teamwork is key to success in any sport. Follow the lead of the gold medal winning U.S. men’s and women’s teams and make team building a priority. Trust, respect, and communication will earn you points with your peers – and on the scoreboard.
7. USA Basketball’s Hoops for Troops initiative engages military personnel and their families through programs, events, exhibition games, and clinics around the world. During the 2012 USA Basketball tour, Hoops for Troops touched thousands of military service members and families in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Manchester, Barcelona, and London.
8. Playing basketball is an awesome way to sharpen your math skills. Practice percentages by attempting 10 shots and dividing the number of shots you make by 10. Challenge yourself by changing the denominator – try taking 12, 15, or 20 shots instead.
9. Three-on-three is the newest phenomenon in international basketball. To learn more, visit the iHoops 3x3 page.
10. To start a new sport like basketball, kids need their parents and caregivers to cheer them on. To learn more about how you to support the kids in your life, check out these resources from iHoops.

** BONUS FACT: Did you know that Kobe Bryant’s first name comes from the Japanese beef with the same name? Kobe’s parents noticed this type of beef on a restaurant menu and decided it would be a good name for their son.

See why Track and Field is a fun way to get active, too!

Ali Kelley is the Deputy Associate Director for Let’s Move Outside!

Ed note: This post was originally published on Fastlane, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

As a father, grandfather, and former schoolteacher, I know how important it is to ensure that students arrive to school safely every day.

That’s why I’m pleased that more than 3,300 schools across the country are participating in this year’s Walk to School Day today, the 16th year this international effort has encouraged more families to get out of their cars and on to their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking, bicycling, and even scootering to school.

Deputy Secretary Porcari with PBES Principal Rachel Dubois, Montgomery County Fire Department's Sparky, and Assistant Principal Orinda Nelson (Photo credit: U.S. Department of Transportation)

To celebrate the big day, earlier this morning, Deputy Secretary John Porcari joined a group of Piney Branch Elementary School students and parents in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Through the Safe Routes to School Program, DOT has helped Piney Branch--and schools around the country--fund education programs, school crossing guards, and safer sidewalks near schools.

Today, after everyone arrived energized by the walk and ready for a day of learning, Deputy Secretary Porcari presented Piney Branch with an award for its exemplary Safe Routes to School program, which makes it possible for many of the school's students to walk and bike every day of the school year.

As the Deputy Secretary said, “Every child should have the opportunity to walk to school safely. Walk to School Day encourages children to experience walk-friendly environments and affirms the importance of walking and biking for a new generation of Americans.”

And others recognize the value of this program, too. The National Center for Safe Routes to School recently received a Bright Ideas in Government award from Harvard University for encouraging communities to collect school travel data and to use the information to help more kids get up, get out, and get moving.

Walking to school is more than just a fun way for students to get good exercise. Walking to school gives students time to talk to their parents, caregivers, friends, and neighbors. It helps them arrive to class alert and energized, ready to take on the school day.

It also helps our environment by reducing congestion near schools, putting less pollution in the air our children breathe.

And it enhances the quality of life for the entire community.

As Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center, said, “Each year the event continues to reinforce the importance of safer environments for walking and bicycling, more physical activity, fewer car trips, and a cleaner environment for students, parents and all community members. It also provides a unique opportunity for families to get outside and connect with their neighbors.”

We want everyone to be safe--today and throughout the school year--whether they are traveling by foot, car, bike, or the familiar yellow school bus. Through the Safe Routes to School program, DOT will continue to help communities take steps to make getting to school, safe, easy, and healthy for all students.

John Porcari is the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation

Recently, the 2012 U.S.. Olympic Team visited the White House. While I wasn’t able to attend the reunion, the event reminded me of just how special Olympic moments are. I remember my own experience as a visiting athlete to the White House in 1992. The day of our visit it rained, and the BBQ on the lawn simply migrated into the White House, where Olympians wearing our medals wandered around (probably driving the Secret Service crazy) celebrating being able to visit the symbol of the great country we just represented. I had that same feeling, that sense of honor and pride as part of the First Lady’s delegation this year. Being able to share the Olympic experience with the First Lady of the United States and support her Let’s Move! initiative was amazing.

Let’s Move! London was the perfect afternoon kickoff to the greatest sporting event on earth. It was such a joy for me to share my love and passion for sport with not only with 1200 kids on the field, but with my two kids as well. And what an honor to introduce the First Lady of the United States to that group, who literally showcased the importance of being active and living healthy by running out to the stage!

First Lady Michelle Obama greets former Olympic swimmer Summer Sanders and her children, Skye and Robert, following a Let's Move! London event at Winfield House in London, England, July 27, 2012. Sanders served as part of the U.S.. delegation to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

My favorite moment from the Summer Games was not from the pool, but on the track, and it combined both true determination and with the Olympic ideal of bring nations together. Mo Farrah and Galen Rupp kicked it into a different gear on the home stretch in the 10,000 meters to a roaring crowd cheering just as much as the guy from the U.S.. as Great Britain. Farrah won the gold and all of Britain erupted but his best friend and training partner, Rupp from the U.S.., dug down to squeeze out the silver. It was a spectacular finish and one that tugged at your heartstrings. Farrah dreamed big, and achieved success.

As a competitor, I always dreamed big and set my goals very high. I believed in myself, and I loved knowing the power to succeed was in my hands. It required serious hard work and dedication, but I was in control. I would tell any young American that you can obtain anything you believe in and work to achieve. You can do anything you put your mind to. You don't have to win a gold medal or score the winning goal to reap the amazing benefits to being active and believing in yourself. Just make time to get moving, have fun and smile.