Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Image of children gathering together while playing sports.
Healthy and active children
Physical activity and children
Children over 5 should be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day. Encourage your child to be active and set them up for a healthy life.
Safe exercise for children
Your child needs to exercise safely, so there are some simple rules to remember. Know how much exercise is right and why warming up is important.
Sport and developing life skills
Sport isn’t just good for children’s bodies. Sport has psychological benefits for children and adolescents, and teaches them important life skills.
Safe sports environment for children
Learn how sporting groups and parents can provide an environment that is safe, supportive and fair for children who play sport.
Hydration tips for children
Children are sometimes at risk of dehydration, especially in hot weather and when exercising. These tips will help keep them safe and healthy.
Healthy eating for children
Encourage healthy eating habits in children by planning meals and shopping for healthy food. Being at a healthy weight helps children enjoy life more.
Asthma and exercise
Asthma is not a reason for children to avoid sport. It is usually managed easily and should be included in your child’s asthma action plan.
Dental care for children
Tooth decay is on the rise, so it’s vital to teach your child good oral health habits. Get tips on how to clean your children's teeth well.
Personal hygiene for children
Good personal hygiene can boost your child's self-esteem, as well as keep them healthy. Find tips and links that will help support your children.
Sleep tips for children
Sleep is vital for a child’s growth, learning and development. Find out how much sleep children need, and discover new ways to help them sleep well.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Physical activity and exercise for children
Here is trusted advice about how much daily exercise your child needs for good health and fitness and how you can encourage your child to be more active.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Healthy Kids : Healthy Kids Activities
See great new activities and experiments for children using water, fruit and vegetables.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Kids Activities
You can download and track your weekly activities with the Healthy Kids Activity Diary, complete a Healthy Kids quiz, get some ideas to try in the kitchen and look up some physical activity ideas.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Activity Diary
Download and print the Healthy Kids Activity Diary. Kids can keep track of how much physical activity they engage in every week.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Being Active
Facts about physical activity for children aged 5 to 12 years
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Physical Activity
National recommendations on physical activity levels for Australian children from birth to eighteen years of age.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Active Transport
Active transport involves any physical activity that gets you from one place to another, e.g. walking skateboarding or cycling. Learn more about teens getting active while getting around.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
How can I prevent my child from becoming overweight? Dietitians Association of Australia
How can I prevent my child from becoming overweight? Right from the start, encourage your whole family to adopt a healthy lifestyle by: Eating a healthy, balanced diet Being physically active
Read more on Dietitians Association of Australia website
Healthy Kids : Not Being Active
Learn more about the effects of too much screen time and recommendations for maximum screen time for kids
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Children's Active Travel
Active Travel in New South Wales Resources for Parents and the School Community
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Top results
Healthy Kids : National Child Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: 2007
Key findings from the 2007 Australian National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey on the food habits, physical activity patterns and weight status of children in NSW.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : NSW Population Child Health Survey
Key findings from the 2009-10 Australian National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey on the food habits, physical activity patterns and weight status of Australian children.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : NSW School Students Health Behaviours Survey: 2011
Outlines of some of the key findings from the 2011 Australian National Childrens Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey on the food habits, physical activity patterns and weight status of children in NSW.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Healthy Kids : Make Healthy Normal
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in preschool children up to the age of 6 years | Cochrane
Diet, physical activity, and behavioural interventions for the treatment of overweight or obesity in preschool children up to the age of 6 years
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Healthy Kids : Population Survey reports
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Parent-only interventions for childhood overweight or obesity in children aged 5 to 11 years | Cochrane
How effective are diet, physical activity and behavioural interventions delivered to parents only in reducing the weight of overweight and obese children?
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Exercise for preventing and treating anxiety and depression in children and young people | Cochrane
Exercise is promoted as an active strategy to prevent and treat depression and anxiety. We found that the research data are sparse and mostly done on college students. Six small trials indicate that exercise decreases reported anxiety scores in healthy children when compared to no intervention. Five small trials indicate that exercise decreases reported depression scores when compared to no intervention. The research base for children in treatment is scarce; only three small trials investigated the effect of exercise in depression.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Healthy Kids : Deloitte Access Economics report on vegetable consumption
Deloitte Access Economics has modelled the impact that increased vegetable consumption would have on reducing government health expenditure, and the returns to producers as a result of the increased consumption.
Read more on Healthy Kids website
Desmopressin for bedwetting in children | Cochrane
Bedwetting is a distressing and stressful condition for children and their families. Some children take longer than others to stop bedwetting. Up to 20% still wet at the age of five years, but by the age of 16 only 2% or less do so. Desmopressin is a drug which reduces bedwetting by reducing the amount of urine produced at night. It is taken before bedtime, and the children are also advised not to drink more than 240 ml (8 ounces) of fluid in the evening. However, it only works on the nights when it is used, so does not cure the problem in the long term.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
