Many parents and caregivers strive to instill a lasting passion for physical activity and movement in children.

Regrettably, based on the study in the US, less than 24% of American children between the ages of 6 and 17 meet the recommended daily amount of 60 minutes of exercise.

However, there is a silver lining: if children develop a love for movement during their early years, it typically remains with them throughout their lives. To guarantee that your child maintains an active lifestyle as they age, it is crucial to establish a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of movement during their formative years.

To instill a love for movement, it’s important to prioritize enjoyment from an early age. Similar to adults, children are less likely to engage in activities they don’t find fun.

Additionally, if they’re having a good time, they’ll likely want to continue and have more opportunities to practice and improve their skills. As children become more involved in structured sports, it’s important to remember that not all kids enjoy competition and organized activities.

Encourage a broader definition of movement that includes activities such as family walks, dancing, climbing trees, yoga, or anything else they enjoy. Introducing children to physical activity at a young age can lead to a lifetime of benefits.

Tips for getting started

Make sure the activity is age-appropriate

Encouraging movement in a 3-year-old by involving them in a family game of badminton may not be effective. To enhance the fun factor and increase success, it is advisable to lower the net and provide them with a preschool-size racket and a large ball.

Focus on motor skills

For preschoolers, it is crucial to develop gross motor skills. These abilities aid in balance, coordination, strength, and reaction time. If you have toddlers or preschool-aged children, focus on activities such as throwing or kicking a ball, climbing, hopping, obstacle courses, or riding a trike or bike with training wheels. Ensure that they wear protective gear like helmets while riding bikes and supervise them appropriately when using moving toys or climbing.

Make active toys available

When selecting toys for both indoor and outdoor play, opt for those that encourage physical activity. For young children, balls are a great option while older kids may enjoy bikes or scooters. Climbing toys are ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, but ensure they are suitable for their age. It’s best to have more active toys than passive ones at home. If your child wants a new toy, suggest that they donate a passive toy in return for an active one. This helps promote movement and teaches them the value of simplicity.

Encourage free play

Children gain knowledge about themselves and their surroundings through free play, which also provides an opportunity for them to engage in physical activity. It is essential to incorporate multiple instances of free play into their daily routine. To keep the playtime lively, motivate your child to spend 30 minutes outside and utilize their creativity to construct an obstacle course or a scavenger hunt, ride a bicycle or scooter, or participate in games with balls and other outdoor equipment.

Get active with your kids

Encouraging children to exercise may not be effective regardless of their age. However, if parents engage in physical activity with their kids, they are more likely to show interest. Additionally, this can benefit working parents who find it challenging to spend time away from their children after work hours while also trying to maintain a fitness routine.

Create an activity schedule

Experts suggest creating a weekly physical activity plan with objectives and posting it in a shared area. Collaborate with your child to determine a non-food incentive for achieving the goal.

Talk about fitness

To instill a passion for physical activity in your children, it is crucial to educate them on its significance. Seek chances to establish a favorable atmosphere of exercise within your household. Share details about your fitness routines, athletic pursuits, and recreational pastimes, emphasizing their value to you. During meal times, engage in conversations about nourishment and how it supports the bodily motion.

Turn chores into exercise

By combining household chores with active competitions, you can achieve two objectives: your child finishes their task and gets physical activity simultaneously.

In case you have multiple children, transform the chores into a competition that incorporates exercise. For instance, young children can compete to see who throws their laundry into the basket the quickest. For outdoor activities, make a game out of tidying up the yard or removing weeds from the garden. Assign each child (and parent) a specific area to clean up, and whoever completes their section first will be declared the winner.

Let them choose the activity

Asking young children about their preferences can make them feel valued, and it’s surprising how much they already know. Encourage your child to select a few activities or sports that they enjoy, and engage in them as a family.

Read a movement-inspired story

Young children can find books that promote physical activity in bookstores and libraries. Collect a few of them and allow your child to pick two or three to take home.

Sign up for an activity-based preschool

When searching for childcare or preschool options, prioritize places that incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily routine.

Try an organized sport

Once children reach a certain age, it may be worthwhile to enroll them in a structured athletic activity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the majority of children are prepared for basic, organized sports by the time they turn six. Team-based sports are designed to match a child’s age and skill level, providing them with opportunities to develop new abilities and gain knowledge about competition.