Top 10 Resources for Physical Health: Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles for Kids

child on screentime with child waiting outside to play

Ensuring children stay physically active is a key factor in supporting their overall health and development. From fun activities to interactive guides, there are plenty of resources available to help parents, teachers, and caregivers keep kids moving. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 Physical Health resources that promote healthy habits and physical activity for children.

Physical Health Resources

  1. CDC’s Physical Activity Basics for Children
    Provides comprehensive guidelines on how much physical activity children need daily, broken down by age groups 1.
  2. Action for Healthy Kids Game On Activity Library
    Offers a wide range of physical activity and play activities for children, including indoor recess ideas and ways to incorporate movement throughout the school day 13.
  3. MyPlate Kids’ Place
    A USDA resource featuring games, activity sheets, videos, and songs to teach children about healthy eating and physical activity 2.
  4. Let’s Move! Activity Guide
    Provides tools for parents, kids, schools, and communities to help children become more active and improve overall health 3.
  5. Sanford Fit’s Top 10 Children’s Books to Inspire Physical Activity
    A curated list of books that encourage children to get up and move through fun and motivating stories 3.
  6. NIDDK’s Tips for Parents on Helping Children Stay Active
    Offers practical advice on how parents can encourage physical activity, reduce screen time, and be role models for their children 12.
  7. CDC’s BAM! Body and Mind Health Education Resources
    Provides interactive content for children about physical activity, nutrition, and overall health 2.
  8. California State Parks Junior Ranger Program
    Offers outdoor activities for kids ages 7-12, promoting physical activity and connection with nature 9.
  9. OPEN’s Tools for Creating an Active Home
    Provides resources for parents to encourage physical activity at home 2.
  10. Action for Healthy Kids’ Physical Activity at Home and at School
    Offers guidance on incorporating physical activity throughout the day in various settings 2.

These top 10 physical health resources provide a wealth of information and tools to help children stay active and healthy. From interactive guides and educational games to outdoor adventures and practical tips, these resources are designed to make physical activity fun, engaging, and an essential part of every child’s day. By using these resources, parents, teachers, and caregivers can support kids in developing lifelong healthy habits that promote overall wellness.

💡PARENT TIP Even 30 minutes of screen-free play daily can make a noticeable difference in your child’s behavior and sleep quality. Start small and build from there!

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, March 19). Physical activity basics for children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm
  2. Action for Healthy Kids. (n.d.). Game On Activity Library. Action for Healthy Kids. Retrieved from https://www.actionforhealthykids.org
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). MyPlate Kids’ Place. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.choosemyplate.gov
  4. Let’s Move! (n.d.). Activity guide. Let’s Move! Retrieved from https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
  5. Sanford Fit. (n.d.). Top 10 children’s books to inspire physical activity. Sanford Fit. Retrieved from https://fit.sanfordhealth.org
  6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Tips for parents on helping children stay active. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 25). BAM! Body and Mind Health Education Resources. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bam
  8. California State Parks. (n.d.). Junior Ranger Program. California State Parks. Retrieved from https://www.parks.ca.gov
  9. OPEN. (n.d.). Tools for creating an active home. OPEN. Retrieved from https://www.openphysed.org

Action for Healthy Kids. (n.d.). Physical activity at home and at school. Action for Healthy Kids. Retrieved from https://www.actionforhealthykids.org

✨5 Quick and Easy Ways to Support Screen-Free Play

  1. Designate one drawer or shelf in each room for screen-free activity supplies
  2. Create a “boredom buster” jar with activity ideas written on popsicle sticks
  3. Schedule a screen-free weekend once a month as a family reset
  4. Set up a family charging station away from bedrooms and living areas
  5. Take “before” photos of play spaces to remind yourself mess is part of the process
screen-free play

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