Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 1-8Years

Activity: how much is enough?

By Raising Children Network
 
 
It's good for kids to have at least two hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

This kind of activity can be enjoyed in small blocks of time, about 5-15 minutes, building up to around two hours over the day. Moderate activities are about as intense as a brisk walk. Vigorous activities are more likely to get your child huffing and puffing and to build up a sweat. 

  • It's good for kids to do at least two hours of activity every day. 
  • Activity can be fun things like playing at the playground or swimming at the beach. 
  • Walking to child care or school is a great way for both of you to enjoy physical activity.

Physical activity is not necessarily ‘exercise’. Your child doesn’t have to play an organised sport or do push-ups to achieve benefits. Simple activities such as going for walks, spending time at the playground and playing in the shallows at the beach, are all fun ways to get him active. And walking to child care, kinder or school can make a huge impact on the amount of physical activity he is getting. Playing chasey or keepings off in the yard are also great activities.

Recent studies show that in Australia many boys and most girls are not getting enough physical activity every day.

 
  • Last reviewed15-05-2006
  • References

    Bauman, A. (2004). Physical activity. In R. Moodie & A. Hulme (Eds). Hands-on health promotion. Melbourne: IP Communications.

    Michaud-Thomson, L et al. (2003).Walk to school-does it make a difference in children’s physical activity levels? ACPHER Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 50:3-4, 16-24.

    Department of Health and Ageing (2005). Active kids are healthy kids: Australia’s physical activity recommendations for 5-12 year olds. Retrieved 21 December, 2005 from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/9D7D393564FA0C42CA256F970014A5D4/$File/kids_phys.pdf