Children need about 60 minutes of physical activity a day for good health, but it doesn’t need to be all at once. Several short 10-minute or even five-minute bursts of activity throughout the day can be just as good as an hour-long stretch.
For younger children, it can take the form of active play, such as ball games, chasing games like “it” and “tag”, riding a scooter, and using playground swings, climbing frames and see-saws.
For older children it could include riding a bike, skateboarding, walking to school, skipping, swimming, dancing and martial arts.
Walking or cycling short distances instead of using the car or bus is a great way to be active together as a family – and you’ll save money, too.
Find out the amount and type of physical activity recommended for under-5s
Find out the amount and type of physical activity recommended for children and young people aged 5 to 18.
Join Change4Life for free and your child will get their own personalised activity plan full of good ideas for getting moving.