It’s as important for kids to be active as it is for adults. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that kids do more. They need at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day.
Activities should be age appropriate, enjoyable, and varied, including sports and fitness activities in school, at home, and in the community. To help reach activity goals, daily physical education programs and activity breaks should be provided for children at school, and “screen time” (TV viewing, playing video games, or social networking on phones or computers and similar activities) should be limited at home.
Most young people do not meet this minimum recommendation, and are likely to become sedentary adults. This means they’ll have greater risk for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. What can you do about it?
Look for chances to encourage kids to be active, even if it’s just a quick game of hide and seek, or a pickup basketball game. Children develop habits early in life, and you can help give them a healthy start.
As your kids get older, it can become harder to find time to be active together. Post a list to remind the family of activities that can be enjoyed together, such as hiking, biking, gardening, skating, swimming, and canoeing.
Don’t have a child of your own? Borrow one from friends or family and give parents a needed break. Or volunteer with a youth sports or recreation program.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Revised: October 18, 2021
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