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What can I do to get – and keep – my child active?

As a parent, you can help shape your child's attitudes and behaviors toward outdoor play and physical activity. Enlist the Support of your Health Care Provider. At your next well-child appointment, ask your pediatrician or nurse for guidelines on how much time children should spend outdoors being active. Having your child hear and be part of this conversation will lay the foundation for a healthy life. The following is a list of questions to facilitate the discussion with your health care provider:

1. At my child’s age, how much time should he/she be spending moving or doing something active each day? Is there a prescribed amount of time that children should spend outdoors?
2. I’ve read a lot about “unstructured” play. Do you agree that children need unstructured play and how much time do you recommend? What are some examples of unstructured play?
3. What if the weather is bad – cold or rainy? Should we still go outdoors?
4. What precautions should we take to address the risks of ticks, mosquitoes and sunburn?
5. How about video games? Is there an optimal amount of time children should spend experiencing video games? Similarly, how much television is appropriate for my child’s age?

More health care providers are recognizing the benefits of unstructured play and active time outdoors. Enlisting their support and guidance will help shape healthy habits for your whole family!

Start a tradition that involves family time outdoors.

Family traditions can be a lifetime treasure for a child, offering stability in what is becoming an increasingly complex world. Start your own family tradition of pairing an outdoor excursion with a meal or healthy snack. Many families have adopted a tradition of a Sunday brunch or dinner and extended walk. However, you can select an activity that fits your family’s interests: a nightly walk or bike ride after dinner, a game of touch football or whiffle ball each weekend, a hike each Sunday afternoon. Visit the Be Out There Activities section for more outdoor inspiration and fun ranging from crafts and edibles to nature games and gardening.

Encourage your child’s school to value recess and outdoor time.

Your child’s day care center, pre-school or K-12 school should be your partner in making sure your child is getting enough outdoor play and exercise. Ask questions about the amount of time spent outdoors each day. Encourage the parent-teacher group to support or sponsor after-school activities or clubs that offer outdoor exploration and exercise.