As a parent, you can help shape your child's attitudes and behaviors toward physical activity. Encourage young people to be physically active for one hour or more each day. Activities can range from informal, active play to organized sports.
As a community, we can create an environment that supports physical activity. This means safe places to walk, bike and play and ensuring time for active play indoors or outdoors each day.
Parents can make a difference!
- Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself.
- Make physical activity part of your family's daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together - even during winter months.
- Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields or basketball courts.
- Play actively with young kids.
- Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.
- Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything your child enjoys, either structured or non-structured.
- Limit recreational computer, television and “screen time” to one to two hours a day. Instead of watching television or playing computer after dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase or riding bikes.
- Set reasonable limits for cell phone use and text messaging.
- Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads or knee pads and ensure that activity is age-appropriate. (Safety tips for kids.)