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.
- 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 active6. - 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 prevention6. - Let’s Move! Activity Guide
Offers tools for parents, kids, schools, and communities to help children become more active, eat better, and improve overall health6. - 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 lives4. - Nationwide Children’s Hospital Exercise Guide
Offers detailed recommendations for children ages 6 to 17, including aerobic, bone-strengthening, and muscle-strengthening activities3. - 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 breaks5. - 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 children2. - 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 cards8. - NIH Family Fitness Guide
Offers detailed guidelines on aerobic activities, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening exercises for both children and adults7. - MCH Library Physical Activity Resources
Compiles key resources about physical activity for kids and teens, including interactive websites and articles on various aspects of fitness6.
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.
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
