For Families

Guidelines for Kids and Physical Activity

Exercise doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or running laps. Your child can work in daily physical activity while at soccer practice, dancing, riding bikes, walking to school, or by playing with friends.

All kids 2 years and older should be physically active for at least 60 minutes on most days of the week. Toddlers and young children should not be inactive for prolonged periods of time — no more than 1 hour unless they're sleeping.

Quick Tips: Physical Activity for Kids

• Be active together. Use physical activity as family bonding time.
• Talk with your kids while walking the dog or shooting hoops.
• Insert physical activity into the things you already do. Park farther away from store entrances. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Set up a safe area in your home where active play is okay. Nasty weather is no excuse to sit on the couch all day!
• Set your weekend in motion by planning active family fun. Try a hike, a walk through the zoo, a dip in the local pool, or a frisbee toss in the park.
• Choose activities at different levels of intensity, like slow walking
  and skating.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future

From birth through age 5, kids’ bodies are growing every day, in every way. Find some helpful ways to get your little one moving on a website devoted to encouraging healthy habits for children, Healthy Kids, Healthy Future (from Let's Move! Child Care initiative.

Learn more about Healthy Kids, Healthy Future »