Activity for Preschool-Age Children
Children ages 3-5 get special benefits from daily physical activity
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Overview
Kids of all ages need daily physical activity to stay healthy and feel great. Children ages 3–5 benefit in special ways. This includes growing better at an important time. During this time, kids are adding inches of height year after year.
Benefits from daily physical activity for preschoolers include:
- Gives kids energy during the day
- Helps them sleep, during naps and at night
- Teaches new skills and improves confidence
- Builds strong bones and muscles
- Helps kids grow up at a healthy weight
As kids get older and go to school, physical activity may even improve grades. There’s a link between physical activity and doing better in school.

Keep kids moving every day
Keep kids moving in all kinds of ways throughout each day.
National recommendations suggest a mix of light, moderate and vigorous activities off and on for about 3 hours each day for preschool-age children.
There are so many ways to play. Little kids can join organized activities like youth soccer or gymnastics, but everyday activities like a visit to your local playground or playing catch and tag will also get their hearts pumping and their bodies sweating.
What you do today matters tomorrow
When kids are young, you might not be thinking about preventing chronic diseases.
But did you know that the physical activity your kids do now, plus the healthy drinks you serve them (think water or milk), can improve their chances of preventing diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many types of cancers years from now?
Being active and choosing healthy drinks while growing up can prevent diseases that last a lifetime. That's a great investment that you can work toward right now with your family.

Tips for Parents
- Recognize that children learn and develop skills at different rates
- Limit time in front of screens - like TV, videos, and electronic devices
- Take short active play breaks throughout the day
- Focus on fun, not performance
- Keep your kids moving off and on during the day, unless they are sleeping
Share the Message
You can get free printed copies of our posters or educational handouts for your classroom, child care center, clinic or other location.
Learn more
Read the National Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which discuss the many benefits of daily activity for preschool-age children.
Read more about how children of all abilities get out and play every day at our related page, below: Activity for Children of All Abilities.
