Age-Based Physical Activity Recommendations¹

The following information covers best practices for physical activity to support healthy child development at different ages.

Infants (Birth through 11 months)

• Tummy time at least 2 - 3 times per day for short periods of time or as tolerated
• Daily planned physical activities that safely support developmental milestones (e.g., head and neck support, rolling, floor sitting, kicking, crawling, reaching and grasping for objects)
• Supervised free play in open and safe places
• Daily outdoor time in a safe setting supervised by an adult
• Large, open, safe play surfaces
• Developmentally-appropriate toys and equipment to promote movement and physical activity
  • Rattles; mobiles; balls; unbreakable mirrors; solid furniture to use for pulling-up, standing and cruising

Toddlers (1 through 2 years)

• At least 30 minutes of daily structured activity, accumulated throughout the day
• At least 60 minutes and up to several hours of unstructured physical activity every day, accumulated throughout the day
• Daily outdoor time in a safe setting supervised by an adult
• Free space
• Developmentally-appropriate toys and equipment to encourage physical activity
  • Objects to roll, throw and kick (e.g., bean bags and large, soft balls)
  • Push toys (e.g., shopping carts, lawn mowers or doll carriages)
  • Wagons to fill with objects and pull, riding toys, low climbers
• Participation in activities that are age-appropriate, fun and varied

Preschoolers (3 through 5 years)

• At least 60 minutes of daily structured activity, accumulated throughout the day
• At least 60 minutes and up to several hours of unstructured physical activity every day, accumulated throughout the day
• Daily outdoor time in a safe setting supervised by an adult
• Free space
• Developmentally-appropriate toys and equipment to encourage physical activity
  • Tricycle or other riding toys, balls, bean bags and hoops
• Hopscotch
• Access to climbing equipment (backyard or playground)
• Participation in activities that are age-appropriate, fun and varied

School-Aged (6 years and up)

• At least 60 minutes of daily physical activity, accumulated throughout the day
• Aerobic as well as age-appropriate muscle- and bone-strengthening activities
  • Aerobic activities should be either moderate or vigorous in intensity. Vigorous physical activity should be done at least three days a week.
  • Muscle- and bone-strengthening activities should be part of the 60 minutes or more of physical activity at least three days a week
• Daily outdoor time
• Participation in activities that are age-appropriate, fun and varied

1. For additional information on activities that should be limited, as well as those not recommended, please refer to "Best Practices for Physical Activity: A Guide to Help Children Grow up Healthy" (NHPS, 2009).