At this age, toddlers are developing their motor skills, such as running and throwing.  They have energy to spare for physical activity, so they can benefit from up to 1 ½ hours of daily exercise. A good exercise plan is to allow them 60 minutes of unstructured activity that is something they’re conducting, as well as 30 minutes of structured exercise time.

Recommended exercises for this age group include traditional games like tag and leap frog, as well as activities that include age-appropriate toys. 

Exercise for ages 4-5
By the time your child is 4 or 5 years old they have developed their motor skills enough to control the basics. At this stage they are working on further improving balance and increasing their physical skill set.

 

Focus on activities that help them work on their balance and hand-eye coordination, like catch or gymnastics. Depending on your child’s physical abilities and comfort level, more involved exercises, like learning to swim or ride a bike, is also an option. 

Exercise for ages 6-12

From 6 to 12 years of age, it’s important to start laying the groundwork for healthy exercise habits. This is the time when kids can really start becoming more involved with the decisions they make about exercise. This is also when many children start participating in organised sports teams.

 

Sixty minutes of exercise daily is the required minimum for this age group. This is when you can help your child develop a fitness routine with team sports that meet a few times a week, as well as activities they can do regularly at home. 

This could possibly be the most vital time for your child to keep up daily physical activity. That’s because as kids get older, the amount of exercise they get drops, starting at age 13 for girls and 15 for boys. In addition to health benefits, such as weight management, physical activity can increase self-esteem and a positive self image among this age group, which is also very important.