There are plenty of ways to encourage and inspire your child to stay active at home, in the garden or at parks for free.
Did you know?
A child between the ages of 1-5 should be active for at least 180 minutes a day!
Active kids are healthier, happier, ready for school, and sleep better.
A child between the ages of 5-18 should be active for at least 60 minutes every day!
Why does it matter?
Giving a child lots of opportunities to be active will make them more confident and motivated to try new activities and have the best start in life!
Being more active will help –
- Build relationships & social skills
- Maintain healthy & weight
- Contribute to brain development & learning
- Improve sleep
- Develop muscles & bones
- Encourage movement & coordination
- Improve mental health & well-being
There are plenty of ways to encourage and inspire your child to stay active at home, in the garden or at parks for free!
Key tip: sit less, move more!
Skill of the Month & Family Packs
Help your little ones progress running, jumping, catching, throwing, and kicking skills with simple, playful activities at home. You can mix things up to make it easier or more challenging using these ideas:
- Space – Move to a bigger or smaller area to make the game easier or harder.
- Task – Switch up what they’re doing. Change the movement or how far they need to throw, kick, or run.
- Equipment – Try different balls or items. A big, light, soft ball makes catching easier, while a smaller one makes it more challenging and exciting!
- People – Play on your own, in pairs, threes, or small groups for variety.
- Speed – Add a time challenge or encourage faster movement to make it extra fun!
Enjoy fun activities designed for practicing skills and movement together as a family or individually.
Month 1 - Foxes
Month 2 - Underarm Throw
Month 3 - Balancing
Month 4 - Catching
Month 5 - Running
Month 6 - Star Shape
Month 7 - Kicking
Month 8 - Jumping and Landing
Month 9 - Straight Shape
Month 10 - Two Handed Throw
Active Storytime
Bringing books to life through fun and games! Active Story Time is a fun way for young children to be active whilst listening to a story. The idea is easy; whilst reading a book, your child can move like the characters in the story! Books with animals in the story are especially great! Children can use their imagination and have fun!
Bring the fun of Active Storytime home! Borrow a loan bag with play equipment—from Llanelli, Carmarthen, or Ammanford Library. To access a bag, just ask a friendly member of staff at the library.
Here’s some ideas:
Ten Little Dinosaurs – can your child stomp like a dinosaur? Walk with BIG steps/lunges around the room, stomp quietly or loudly!
What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside – walk sideways like a crab….
Elfed’s New Friend – slither like a snake, jump like a kangaroo, be tall like a giraffe.
Going on a Bear Hunt; children can go under, through and over obstacles that you have within the home. For example, they can crawl under the table or a blanket.
Sometimes I want to Curl up in to a Ball – curl up in a ball like a hedgehog, jump high like a frog, run fast like a cheetah.
If you don’t have these books at home, why not visit your local library? We have also provided activity bags that you can loan out too!
Engaging activities to make stories come alive while getting your child moving. Using a book with animals and move like the animals in the story – jump like a kangaroo, hope like a bunny. Try these at home or check out your local library.