Family Fun Activity & Exercise Guides

Keeping kids active is essential for their physical and mental well-being, but finding the right resources can be overwhelming. To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 Activity & Exercise guides for children’s wellness, sourced from reputable library websites across the United States. These resources are packed with fun, educational, and practical tips to encourage children of all ages to stay active and healthy.

1. CDC’s “BAM! Body and Mind” Physical Activity Guide

This interactive resource offers a variety of activities, fitness calendars, and educational content to motivate kids to be more active 6.

2. KidsHealth Physical Activity Resources

Provides comprehensive articles in English and Spanish for parents, teens, and kids about fitness and physical activity, covering topics from age-specific fitness to sports injury prevention 6.

3. Let’s Move! Activity Guide

Offers tools for parents, kids, schools, and communities to help children become more active, eat better, and improve overall health 6

4. Physical Activity Basics for Children

CDC’s guide answering crucial questions about how much physical activity children need and how to incorporate it into their daily lives 4.

5. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Exercise Guide

Offers detailed recommendations for children ages 6 to 17, including aerobic, bone-strengthening, and muscle-strengthening activities 3.

6. WVU Extension’s Tips for Keeping Children Active

Provides practical tips and fun ways to incorporate physical activity into daily family routines, including dance parties and active commercial breaks 5.

7. UC Davis Physical Activity Toolkit for Preschool-Aged Children

A comprehensive resource for childcare providers and teachers, offering skill cards, planning suggestions, and sample activities for young children 2.

8. Children’s Health Indoor and At-Home Exercises

Features creative ideas for indoor physical activities, including body weight exercises, yoga, and dance, along with downloadable exercise cards 8.

9. NIH Family Fitness Guide

Offers detailed guidelines on aerobic activities, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening exercises for both children and adults 7.

10. MCH Library Physical Activity Resources

Compiles key resources about physical activity for kids and teens, including interactive websites and articles on various aspects of fitness 6.

These guides provide a wealth of information, creative ideas, and practical tips to help families and caregivers promote physical activity and overall wellness in children. From structured exercise routines to fun, play-based activities, these resources cater to various age groups and interests, ensuring that staying active can be an enjoyable part of every child’s daily life.

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

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

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). BAM! Body and Mind: Physical activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bam/physicalactivity/index.html

KidsHealth. (n.d.). Physical activity resources. KidsHealth. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/physical-activity.html

Let’s Move! (n.d.). Activity guide. Let’s Move! Retrieved from https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/

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

Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (2020, May 26). Exercise and physical activity for children. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Retrieved from https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/family-resources-library/exercise-and-physical-activity-for-children

West Virginia University Extension. (2020, June 16). Tips for keeping children active. West Virginia University Extension. Retrieved from https://extension.wvu.edu/healthy-living/fitness/tips-for-keeping-children-active

UC Davis. (n.d.). Physical activity toolkit for preschool-aged children. UC Davis Extension. Retrieved from https://www.ucdavis.edu (specific URL to be determined)

Children’s Health. (2020, April 1). Indoor and at-home exercises for kids. Children’s Health. Retrieved from https://www.childrens.com/

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). NIH Family fitness guide. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/index.htm

Maternal and Child Health Library. (2021). Physical activity resources. MCH Library. Retrieved from https://mchb.hrsa.gov/training/mch-library