Exercise for Children

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Summary

Like adults, kids need exercise. Most children need at least an hour of physical activity every day. Regular exercise has many benefits for children. It can help them:

Feel less stressed
Feel better about themselves
Feel more ready to learn in school
Keep a healthy weight
Build and keep healthy bones, muscles and joints
Sleep better at night

As kids spend more time watching TV, they spend less time running and playing. Parents should limit TV, video game and computer time. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone. Competitive sports can help kids stay fit. Walking or biking to school, dancing, bowling and yoga are some other ways for kids to get exercise.

Start Here

How Can I Help My Child Be More Physically Active? (American Heart Association)
Kids and Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Physical Activity for Children: An Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: 2nd edition (Department of Health and Human Services) - PDF

Related Issues

Compulsive Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Dehydration (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Everyday Ideas to Move More (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Fitness for Kids Who Don't Like Sports (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Motivating Kids to Be Active (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Specifics

Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Fitness and Your 3-to 5-Year Old (Nemours Foundation)
Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Exercise for Children (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Youth Sports (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Reference Desk

Definitions of Health Terms: Fitness (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

Children

Fitness (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
Why Exercise Is Cool (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Girls

Types of Physical Activity (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)

Teenagers

Compulsive Exercise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Easy Exercises for Teens (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Sports and Exercise Safety (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Why Exercise Is Wise (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

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