HealthInfo Canterbury
Ideas for keeping kids active
Kids need more exercise than adults. Physical activity is an essential part of life for all children and young people. Try some of these suggestions to get physical activity into your children's daily routines.
- Set a good example by making physical activity part of your lifestyle.
- Keep sporting equipment near the back door rather than packed away in cupboards.
- Support children's physical activity by encouraging them to choose activities they enjoy.
- Encourage walking or bike riding whenever possible. If possible, encourage them to walk or cycle to school.
- Encourage children to have unstructured physical activity and playtime. This should be on top of organised physical activity and sport.
- Keep TVs and other electronic entertainment in family areas rather than in children's bedrooms.
- Have rules to limit the amount of screen time.
The following websites have suggestions of physical activities for kids.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Active Canterbury – Active kids
Activity information and ideas for kids.
- Canterbury DHB:
- Learning to ride a bike
How to teach your child to ride a bike.
- Learning to throw
How to teach your child to throw.
- Learning to ride a bike
- Christchurch City Council – Free swimming for under-5s
Information about how preschoolers can get free entry to Christchurch City Council swimming pools.
- Ministry of Health:
- Activities for children and young people
Physical activity ideas for children and young people.
- Be active every day: physical activity for 5- to 18-year-olds
Downloadable brochure about being active.
- Activities for children and young people
- My Family Activities – Games
Ideas for games your kids can play, or you can play with your kids.
- Sport New Zealand – Active movement for under 5s
Sport New Zealand is the government organisation responsible for sport and recreation (formerly SPARC). Its aim is to get more kids playing and enjoying sport.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2018.
Sources
Review key: HIKEA-53695
