Your Child Needs Daily Movement. Here’s how to Make It Fun.

From your baby’s first wiggles, they begin learning about the world through movement. Physical activity at this early stage is essential for healthy development in ways that go beyond motor skills development. Movement helps build not just strong muscles, but strong brains, relationships, and self-esteem. By making activity part of your daily life—and keeping it fun—you’re helping your child grow in every way.

Daily physical activity in early childhood sets the foundation for a lifetime of good habits. Physical activity recommendations for babies and toddlers are to be active throughout the day with a minimum of 30 minutes of structured adult-led physical activity and  a minimum of 60 minutes of active free play. Children from age three- to six-years-old should receive at least three hours of physical activity during the day.

Active play helps your child develop:

• Motor skills: From crawling to climbing to hopping, movement builds coordination and muscle strength. These skills make future activities like riding a bike or playing sports easier and more enjoyable.

• Cognitive growth: Physical activity supports brain development, including language, memory, and problem-solving skills. Movement-based play helps children learn spatial awareness, shapes, and direction—all important for reading and math later on.

• Emotional regulation: Movement teaches children how to manage energy, express emotions, and deal with the ups and downs of effort (like a fast heartbeat or tired muscles).

• Social skills: Playing with others promotes sharing, communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork—skills children will use for a lifetime.

Young children learn by watching. If you're active, your child is more likely to be active, too. Finding time every day to move together—dancing in the kitchen, crawling on the floor with your baby, or going for a walk as a family – lets your child know that you value time with them and to being healthy.

Creating a positive, low-pressure environment focused on fun and effort (not performance or winning) helps children gain confidence and stay interested in being active as they grow.

Tips by Age to Get Your Child Moving:

Infants (0–12 months)

Even babies need movement!

Tummy time is essential. Aim for a few short sessions a day to help build neck and upper body strength.

• Encourage reaching, grasping, kicking, and rolling with safe toys and lots of floor time.

• Hold your baby while dancing to music or gently moving their arms and legs to songs.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

Toddlers are natural movers. Your job is to support their curiosity and energy – and keep up!

• Create safe spaces indoors and outdoors to explore, climb, and dance.

• Let them push or pull toys, throw soft balls, or walk like animals ("Can you hop like a frog?").

• Introduce them to age-appropriate household chores.

• Keep screen time low, and use movement to break up long periods of sitting.

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

At this age, children are developing more control over their bodies—and their imaginations!

• Offer activities that build skills: jumping, skipping, balancing, or kicking a ball.

• Take advantage of playgrounds, open fields, or your own backyard for running, chasing games, or obstacle courses.

• Turn learning into movement: practice letters with sidewalk chalk or use dance to act out stories.

You don’t need special equipment or a gym membership to be active with your child. Just a little time, space, and creativity. Here are a few more ideas that work for every age and as your child grows.

• Walk or bike together as part of your daily routine.

• Play music and have a dance party in your living room.

• Visit parks and let your child climb, swing, or run.

• Try movement-based storytime, where you act out characters or scenes from books.

As a parent, you play a huge role in making movement a fun, daily part of your child’s life. Be enthusiastic, be silly, and be present—your involvement matters more than any game or structured activity.

So go ahead—stretch, crawl, dance, and chase bubbles. Every move counts!

Discover more resources:

The Conversation: Infants need lots of active movement and play – and there are simple ways to help them get it

Center for Disease Control: Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children

Health.gov: Help your kids get more physical activity