Topics in HEALTH
FUN WAYs to Help Your Child Stay Active Every Day
Kids learn best when they move their bodies and have fun! Being active helps children grow strong, feel happy, sleep better, and build healthy habits for life.
TIP for the parents whose children are already enrolled in the Head Start Program: Any physical activity contributes to your child’s overall cognitive development. Spend 15-30 min/day playing sports with them and mark it in Learning Genie to count as in-kind!
Why Active Kids Thrive
Children who are active every day may:
Build stronger muscles and bones Sleep better at night Have more energy and better moods Feel more confident and ready to learn Lower their risk of health problems later in life Handle big feelings and stress more easily
Three Ways Kids Build Healthy Bodies
Endurance – “Get the Heart Pumping!”
Activities that make kids breathe faster help strengthen the heart and lungs.
Fun Ideas:
Riding bikes
Playing soccer
Basketball
Swimming
Skating
Walking or hiking
Running and tag games
_ _ _ _ _ _
Strength – “Build Strong Muscles!”
Strength activities help kids climb, carry, and play.
Fun Ideas:
Climbing playground equipment
Cartwheels and handstands
Animal walks
Push-ups or obstacle courses
Wrestling and rough-and-tumble play
_ _ _ _ _ _
Flexibility – “Stretch and Reach!”
Stretching helps muscles and joints move easily.
Fun Ideas:
Reaching for toys
Dancing Doing splits or cartwheels
Stretching or yoga
Too Much Screen Time?
Today’s kids spend more time sitting and using screens than ever before. TVs, tablets, phones, and video games can make it harder for children to get enough movement.
Try These Family-Friendly Tips:
Turn off screens during meals
Keep TVs and devices out of bedrooms
Set daily screen time limits
Watch shows together and talk about them
Choose active play whenever possible
Did you know? Setting screen-time rules can reduce recreational screen use by almost 3 hours a day!
How Much Activity Do Kids Need?
👶 Toddlers: At least 60 minutes of active play daily
🧒 Preschoolers: At least 120 minutes of active play daily
👧👦 Kids & Teens: 60 minutes or more of physical activity every day
Young children should not sit inactive for long periods unless sleeping.
Simple Ways to Raise Active Kids
✔️ Make activity part of your family routine
✔️ Go for walks together
✔️ Dance in the kitchen
✔️ Take the stairs when you can
✔️ Try different activities and let kids choose favorites
✔️ Focus on fun — not perfection!
When families move together, kids are more likely to stay active and healthy.
Healthy Habits Start Early
The program helps families and communities support healthy eating and active living for children.
Learn more and find family resources here: MaineHealth Let’s Go!
Would like more resources about active family activities in the area? Connect with us at headstart@yccac.org and we will put together a list of individualized resources.
