Exercise for Children Summary Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise helps children Feel less stressed Feel better about themselves Feel more ready to learn in school Keep a healthy weight Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints Sleep better at night As kids spend more time watching TV, they spend less time running and playing. Parents should limit TV, video game and computer time. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone. Competitive sports can help kids stay fit. Walking or biking to school, dancing, bowling and yoga are some other ways for kids to get exercise. Specifics Aerobic, Muscle- and Bone-Strengthening: What Counts? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Children and Sports: Choices for All Ages Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old Nemours Foundation Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old Nemours Foundation Fitness and Your 4-to 5-Year Old Nemours Foundation Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old Nemours Foundation Fitness Basics Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Kickboxing Nemours Foundation Levels of Exercise Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Pilates Nemours Foundation Raising a Fit Preschooler Nemours Foundation Strength Training and Your Child Nemours Foundation T’ai Chi Nemours Foundation NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Back-to-School Health Tips: Exercise and Sleep Planning For a Healthy School Year: Physical Activity Wanted: Active Role Models for Today’s Kids Array BAM! Physical Activity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels among U.S. Youth Aged 12-15 Years: United States, 1999-2004 and 2012 National Center for Health Statistics Physical Activity and the Health of Young People Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Physical Activity in U.S. Youth Aged 12-15 Years, 2012 National Center for Health Statistics Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Exercise for Children National Institutes of Health Teenagers Cold-Weather Sports Nemours Foundation Compulsive Exercise Nemours Foundation Easy Exercises for Teens Nemours Foundation Motivation and the Power of Not Giving Up Nemours Foundation Sports and Exercise Safety Nemours Foundation Strength Training Nemours Foundation Stretching Nemours Foundation Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Why Exercise Is Wise Nemours Foundation Yoga Nemours Foundation Related Issues Cold-Weather Sports and Your Family Nemours Foundation Compulsive Exercise Nemours Foundation Dehydration (For Teens) Nemours Foundation Everyday Ideas to Move More National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Fitness for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports Nemours Foundation Five Ways That Play Can Change Your Day American Heart Association Get Your Kids Moving and Check Some Chores off Your List American Heart Association Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Make the Most of Play – Tips for Kids to Get Active American Heart Association Motivating Kids to Be Active Nemours Foundation Reference Desk Definitions of Health Terms: Fitness National Library of Medicine Glossary of Terms Related to Healthy Eating, Obesity, Physical Activity, and Weight Control National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Children Fitness Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Getting Muscles Nemours Foundation It’s Time to Play Nemours Foundation Why Exercise Is Cool Nemours Foundation Start Here How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kids and Exercise Nemours Foundation Physical Activity and Children American Heart Association Find an Expert National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Journal Articles Exercise for Children Girls Types of Physical Activity Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Latest News Spring a Good Time to Instill Healthy Habits in Kids HealthDay Schools in Most States Skimp on Phys Ed, Study Finds HealthDay
