What Can Families Do To Get and Keep Their Children Active? (cdc.gov)

Youth learn a lot about physical activity from their families. Family members who enjoy physical activity can help children enjoy physical activity. Caregivers play a very important role in determining youth participation in physical activities—how much, how often, and what type of physical activity. Caregivers can also help youth balance non-active time periods (watching TV, using the computer, or talking on the phone) and physical activity.

 

 What Parents Can Do:

1. Be an active Role Model

2. Encourage your children to go outside and be active

3. Get youth to participate in team or individual sports, as well as in noncompetitive, recreational sports (bicycling, hiking, running, swimming, etc.)

4. Limit "Screen Time" (watching TV, playing video games, or playing on the computer)

5. Encourage your child's school to offer adequate physical activity

6. Become a member of the schools Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee

7. Turn off the television during mealtime and homework time - limiting the amount of screen time

8. Provide your children with toys that encourage physical activity (balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, etc.)

9. Have your children walk or ride their bikes to school; if they are young, accompany them

10. MAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FUN!