Active
Kids
Recommendations for Kids Being Active
The CDC recommends that kids be active for at least 60 minutes a day. They should be getting the appropriate activity for their age and that they enjoy doing! You also can add variety. It does not need to be 60 minutes of the same physical activity.
3 Types of Physical Activity
Aerobic Activity - This is when you are increasing your heart rate. Things like Biking, scootering, running, playing catch, and dancing,
Muscle Strengthening - when you actively engage your muscles through climbing in the playground, gymnastics, soccer, or other sports.
Bone Strengthening - Jumping, skipping, running anything that has a rapid change in direction.
Toddler - Preschool
Age Appropriate Activities
Use this time to also develop small children's motor skills while you are keeping them active. Focusing on kicking or throwing a ball, riding a bike, making homemade obstacle courses outback. Games like follow the leader or Simon says can also be great for kids at this age!
Kindergarten - Teen
Appropriate Activities
At this age, kids typically start playing structured sports or extracurricular activities to be getting active during that. Keep in mind that as they get older, they might want to switch activities and try new things, and that's okay. But maybe try to get a "lifestyle activity" they enjoy regularly doing like hiking or walks or with the family in the ending time.
Teenage Appropriate Activities
At this age often kids know what activities they want whether they be structured sports or "free play" like skateboarding, or skiing. Typical parents need to make sure that kids have assessability at this age for their activities, whether it be rides to places or proper equipment and clothes.
Things to Note
- Not all 60 minutes of activity have to happen at one time; it can be spread out.
- Make screen time more active. If you and the family are watching TV use commercial breaks as activity time, 10 jumping jacks per commercial, commercial dance party
The Importance of Kids Staying Active
The main benefits of kids being active are that they will maintain a healthy weight, have strong bones and muscles, decrease the possibility of obesity and diabetes, sleep better, and have more mental clarity!