Resources to Promote An Active Lifestyle for Youth
For Parents/Guardians/Caregivers, Youth & Youth Sport Providers
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, youth aged 6 - 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day to attain the most health benefits from physical activity. Most activity can be aerobic, like walking, running, or anything that makes the heart beat faster. They also need activities that make their muscles and bones strong, like climbing on playground equipment, playing a sport or jumping rope.
These three 10-point checklists include questions you can ask your child, yourself and local program administrators when considering how to build an athlete for life. The lists and accompanying videos are tailored by age and activity level.
- Fun At Bat At Home
The #FABAtHome instructional video series teaches basic bat-and-ball activities that can be done at home with minimal equipment. Activities emphasize character development, functional movement, active play and fun and are supported by Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and industry professionals. - Move Your Way® (ODPHP)
Use this Interactive tool to find ways to fit more activity into kids’ daily lives.
Watch these videos to promote physical activity/sport at home:
Tips to get active as a family
Tips for getting active indoors
- Nationally recommended guidlines on physical activity:
National Physical Activity guidelines for different age groups
Making physical activity a part of my child’s life
Are my kids getting enough physical activity?
- OPEN Online Physical Education Network
A downloadable list of games and calendars for families to create an active home. It also includes resources to help teachers and parents work together. - Video: What Good Looks Like in Youth Sports (to Kids)
During the 2015 Aspen Project Play Summit, Olympic champion sprinter Allyson Felix led a conversation with young athletes on what kids want out of a sports experience. - Video: Ask Kids What They Want: What if Youth Designed Youth Sports?
During the 2018 Aspen Project Play Summit, NBA legend Kobe Bryant spoke to four young athletes in a conversation that brings out the life skills that kids learn through playing sport.
- GoNoodle Games App (iOS & Android)
A selection of free mini-games with no controller, data connection or extra hardware required. - GoNoodle | Sports & Teamwork Videos
Exercises for 4- to 10-year-olds to move, work and play together while also learning about personal and community wellness, mental and physical health. - Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation + Science of Sport: The Science of Baseball
Fun, baseball activities that kids and parents can do together at home while also learning valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills - UNICEF Kid Power
Free platform that includes short, fun activity videos to get kids from kindergarten to the 8th grade moving, dancing and ready to learn while also giving back. Upon completing 10 ‘Kid Power Ups’, a ‘Ready to Use Therapeutic Food Packet’ is donated to a child in need. Create an account to access (individual/home or school/organization).
- Good Sports - Equipment Donations for Organizations
Youth sport organizations serving kids 3 to 18 in high-need communities may apply to receive brand-new equipment, apparel and footwear. The application has a rolling deadline. Email [email protected] for any questions.
Learn more about the Return to Play Fund and access additional resources.