Being Active
From crawling and climbing to dancing and playing outside, little ones love to move! Being active helps them grow strong, learn new skills, and feel happy. It’s also great for making friends and building confidence.
As a parent or carer, you’re the biggest influence on your child’s play. Every day, whether you’re at home, in the garden, or out and about, you can help them stay active and have fun.
Below you’ll find easy ideas and tips to get your child moving. These activities will help them grow healthy, stay active, and enjoy every wiggle and giggle!
Click below to find out more:
Being active every day helps your child grow up healthy and happy. It’s good for their body, mind, and learning.
- Healthy bodies – Moving helps build strong bones and muscles.
- Happy minds – Active children often feel better and have more energy.
- Better sleep – Children who move more tend to sleep better.
- Ready to learn – Physical play helps with balance, coordination, and focus.
- Less screen time – Being active means less time sitting still.
The UK Chief Medical Officers say young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day. This includes walking, playing, dancing, climbing, and other fun activities.
Simple ways to help your child be active:
- Go to the park
- Dance to music
- Play games outside
- Let them help with safe jobs around the house
👉 Click here for more ideas to get you and your little ones moving!
From the very beginning, babies learn about the world through movement. Rolling, stretching, reaching, and tummy time all help build strong muscles and support brain development.
Whether they’re lying down, starting to sit, or learning to crawl, these early movements are the building blocks for future skills like walking, talking, and playing.
👉 Click here to find out more about how you can support your baby’s physical development in fun, safe, and loving ways.
- What is ‘Tummy Time’ and when should you start it? – BBC Tiny Happy People
- When do babies start crawling? Key stages, styles, and expert tips for helping your baby crawl – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Baby aerobics: Pedalling legs and stretching arms – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Having a wiggle – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Playing games with a box – BBC Tiny Happy People
- What can I do outside today with kids? 18 fun ideas – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Exercise time with baby – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Fun with nature: Making a rock, leaf and twig collection – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Ball game for toddlers | Words for Life
- Row, row, row, your boat nursery rhyme music and lyrics | Words for Life
- Resources – Ei SMART
- HELPING-MY-BABY-USE-THEIR-HANDS-TO-PLAY_v5.pdf
- EiSMART-Rolling-Handout-March-22-V2-low-res.pdf
- Sitting-v8-low-res-.pdf
- Baby and toddler play ideas – NHS
- Early Movers — Activities
Toddlers love to move and it’s great for their development! At 2–3 years old, children are learning to run, jump, climb, and balance. These movements help build strong muscles, support brain development, and boost confidence!
Whether it’s dancing, chasing bubbles, or playing at the park, every little movement helps your child grow and thrive.
👉 Click here to find simple tips and fun ideas to support your child’s physical activity every day indoors, outdoors, and on the go.
- Early Movers — Activities
- Drizzle and Rainy Day Play
- Toddlers | Barnardo’s Family Space
- Playground activities with toddler – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Activities for children at home: Pairing socks – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Cleaning games for children: The washing up game – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Ideas to Encourage Independent Dressing at Home – BBC Tiny Happy People
At 3–5 years old, children are full of energy and ready to take on new challenges. They’re learning to run faster, jump higher, climb with confidence, and use their bodies in more coordinated ways. Physical activity at this age helps build strength, balance, and coordination and it’s great for their confidence and learning too!
As children grow, they enjoy testing their abilities like hopping on one foot, riding a scooter, or playing team games. Encouraging these kinds of active play helps them develop important skills for school and everyday life, while having fun and building independence.
👉 Click here to find simple tips and fun ideas to support your child’s physical activity as they explore and discover what their little bodies can do!
- Early Movers — Activities
- Games while walking with toddler: Making up games – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Activate with Joe Wicks – BBC iPlayer
- Activity-Indoor-active-play-activities-for-3-5-year-olds.pdf
- Building an obstacle course – BBC Tiny Happy People
- 10 obstacle course ideas for children | Famly
- Slow Pedagogy: Allotment Play in the Early Years
- Mark-making – Coram PACEY
- Nature Activities for Kids and Families – Woodland Trust
Rotherham offers a wide range of physical activities for babies, toddlers and young children to help them move, play, and grow. From baby yoga and sensory play to toddler football, dance, and stay and play sessions, there’s something for every age and stage. Local Family Hubs, Children’s Centres, community groups, and sports clubs provide welcoming spaces where children can build strong bodies, develop coordination, and make new friends – all while having fun!
Explore what’s happening near you and find the perfect activity to support your child’s physical development.
👉 Click here to find out what’s happening where you live