Play Outside

1 to 5 year olds needs to be active for at least 3 hours every day. Kids should be free to be active when they are awake – try not to leave them in a stroller, highchair or car seat for more than 1 hour at a time.

Playing helps kids:

• grow healthy bones and strong muscles
• develop imagination
• improve balance
• learn how to take turns and share.

Playing outside is important for all kids.

Play outside where kids can:

• have space to play together
• make big movements
• get fresh air
• make a lot of noise
• play in nature – run through grass, roll down hills, go exploring.

As they grow you can help kids to learn new skills. Start with basic skills and help kids to try new things.

Get moving – show kids how to:

• jump, hop, run, skip
• build with boxes and blocks
• dance to music
• hit and throw balls and balloons
• balance on planks of wood or a rope placed on the ground
• dig and help to grow vegies and fruit
• climb on pillows, boxes or climbing frames.

Playing indoors is important too – talk, sing, read, tell stories, and play with your kids

Kids like to:

• listen to stories and tell stories
• dance to music
• draw and paint
• play games and do puzzles
• read picture books.