How to motivate your family to be more active

Building movement into your child’s daily life now helps set them up for a lifetime of healthy habits.

What you can do to make that easier:

• Make rules, such as limiting screen time or time spent on the couch, to encourage movement over passive entertainment.
• Encourage outdoor play, such as through local sports teams or even playing with neighborhood friends.
• Lead by example. Go for walks, ride bikes, or try family-friendly workout or dance videos together. Provide what they need to be active. A soccer ball, jump rope, or even a simple pair of sneakers can make getting active more accessible.
• Visit active spaces. Parks, trails, and basketball courts offer free and engaging ways to move. This isn’t always easy—days are busy, equipment can be expensive, and kids (and parents!) can be resistant. But even small changes, like a 15-minute walk after dinner, can offer a chance to connect while building a routine that benefits the whole family.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. The best way to encourage movement is to enjoy it together.