Exercise for Children

Summary

Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise has many benefits for children. It can help them:

• 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 for School-Aged Children and Adolescents? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old Nemours Foundation
• Fitness and Your 3-to 5-Year Old Nemours Foundation
• Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old Nemours Foundation

Children

• BAM! Body and Mind Classroom Resources for Teachers: Physical Education and Physical Activity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Fitness Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Why Exercise Is Cool Nemours Foundation

Related Issues

• CDC Healthy Schools: Physical Activity Facts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• 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
• Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Motivating Kids to Be Active Nemours Foundation

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Exercise for Children National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Youth Sports National Institutes of Health

Teenagers

• Compulsive Exercise Nemours Foundation
• Easy Exercises for Teens Nemours Foundation
• Sports and Exercise Safety 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

Reference Desk

• Definitions of Health Terms: Fitness National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• How Can I Help My Child Be More Physically Active? American Heart Association
• How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Kids and Exercise Nemours Foundation
• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: 2nd edition Department of Health and Human Services

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 Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Journal Articles

• Exercise for Children

Girls

• Types of Physical Activity Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health