Physical Activity Guidelines For Children (Under 5 Years)

Being active every day is very important for the health and growth of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Babies (Under 1 Year)

Encourage your baby to be active every day in different ways, like crawling.
If they can’t crawl yet, help them move by reaching, grasping, and moving their body during playtime.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day when they’re awake.
Once they can move around, let them play actively in a safe area.

Toddlers (Aged 1 to 2)

Toddlers need at least 180 minutes (3 hours) of physical activity every day, spread out throughout the day. Outdoor play is great!
This can include light activities like standing and rolling, as well as more energetic play like hopping, running, and jumping.
Fun activities like climbing, riding a bike, and chasing games are perfect for this age.

Preschoolers (Aged 3 to 4)

Preschoolers should also get at least 180 minutes (3 hours) of various physical activities each day, with at least 60 minutes (1 hour) being more intense activities.
Encourage outdoor and active play.
Try to avoid long periods of inactivity, except for sleep. Activities like watching TV or being in a car for too long aren’t good for their health.

Overweight Children

Children under 5 who are overweight can benefit from meeting these activity guidelines. They may also need extra activities and healthier eating to maintain a healthy weight.

Fun Activity Ideas for Under 5s

All movement is great! Here are some fun activities:

For more information on physical activity for different age groups, you can check GOV.UK, which has infographics available.