Fun Ways to Get Kids to Move Each Day

Move is physical activity. To move is to participate in a sport, play, exercise, or do a leisure activity such as walking. Health experts recommend that youth get at least one hour of physical activity each day, but you do not have to do it all at once! 

One way to get essential movement in during the school day is to include brain breaks and brain boosts throughout the day. Check out 50 Educational Brain Breaks for quick and easy activities to help kids re-energize, focus, and boost brainpower!

As a group, ask kids to brainstorm a list of their favorite ways to move their bodies.

To use this with your students click here.

Exercises for Kids

Watch the Get Moving in the Classroom video and do the move dance to show fun ways to move each day.

Fun Ways to Exercise

Highlight the many times, many ways, and many places students can add movement to their day. Make it fun! Kids can:

• Dance!
• Play games and create new versions.
• Like to jog? Try going backward!
• Imitate your favorite animal.
• Try a new hobby like fishing or gardening.

Check for understanding: What are some of your favorite ways to move?

Movement Tips for Kids

Students make their final entry on the Add Move to Your Day printable. They write or draw a movement choice they can make at bedtime. Encourage students to show parts of their bedtime routines such as brushing teeth, putting away toys, putting on pajamas, etc.

Let kids know that it's best to do active moves like playing soccer or dancing at least an hour before bedtime because these moves energize your body and can make it hard to fall asleep. However, it's a great idea to move and do some stretching or yoga as part of their bedtime routine!

Wrap up the unit with a virtual field day!  Watch fit Field Day: An Inclusive Workout for Kids for a fun and interactive way to get kids moving at home or school!  Talk to kids about ways they can encourage others to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives.