Toddler Activity

Does my toddler really need extra physical activity?

Toddlers need daily physical activity — just like you do! Active play helps your child develop strong muscles and good coordination skills. Even if you live in an area where your child can’t play outside, you can try indoor activities like hide and seek or dancing to your favorite music together. Find out more about getting your toddler active.

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Does my toddler really need extra physical activity?

"My daughter has so much energy! Doesn’t she get all the physical activity she needs just by running around all day?"

Because they are so naturally active, it’s easy to overlook the fact that toddlers need daily physical activity — just like you do. Active play will help your child develop strong muscles and good coordination. You already know your toddler has a lot of energy — it’s your job to give her lots of ways to use it!

Toddlers need to run and jump every day.

Even if you live in an area where your child can’t play outside, you can try these indoor activities:

Play ball
Follow the leader
Dance to your favorite music together
Act out part of your toddler’s favorite book together
Walk and move like different animals (jump like a bunny, crawl like a crab)
Hide and seek
Ring around the rosy

Think she’s just playing around? Think again. Find out how playtime is really so much more.

Parent 2 Parent

"When we do the food shopping, I give my toddler a list and a job. He gets to walk next to me instead of being stuck in the shopping cart the whole time. When I put him in the cart to check out, he’s a lot more patient because he’s gotten to move around during most of the trip."

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How should I manage my toddler’s TV time?

Did you know that kids who watch more than 2 hours of TV a day are more likely to be overweight or obese as they get older? If TV time has gotten a bit out of control in your home, you are not alone! Get more tips on managing your toddler’s TV time.

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How should I manage my toddler’s TV time?

Did you know that kids who watch a lot of TV (more than 2 hours a day) are more likely to be overweight or obese as they get older?

If TV time has gotten a bit out of control in your home, you are not alone! We understand that managing your kids’ TV time can be a struggle. Even if you can’t cut out TV completely, cutting back on TV will help.

Parent 2 Parent

"My daughter and I have a routine that works well for us. She gets to choose 2 stories every night. For the first one, she sits in my lap for cuddle time. For the second one, she lies down in her bed and closes her eyes. Sometimes she’s asleep before I finish!"

Parent 2 Parent

"We just discovered audiobooks! My son and I have been listening to children’s books from the library before he goes to bed for the last few weeks. It’s nice to be able to listen together, and it really helps him calm down at the end of the day."

Quick tips: Managing your child’s TV time

If you do let your child watch TV, make sure you know what the show is about. Some shows can help your child learn important skills, like saying the alphabet and counting. Try to limit TV to no more than 2 hours in a day.
Try turning off the TV during mealtime, playtime, bath time, and bedtime.
Watching TV will not help your child fall or stay asleep. Keep the TV out of your child’s bedroom so she can get the best rest possible.

Skip the ads. Watch TV shows on DVDs or TV On Demand. Shows with lots of ads for unhealthy foods make it harder for your child to learn to make healthy food choices.

Learn more about food ads on TV.

Want more information?

Check out these online resources to help you get motivated to manage TV time:

How physical activity helps your child’s development
What your kids aren’t doing when they are watching TV

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Help your toddler stay at a healthy weight for life!

Click here for tips on keeping your child healthy.

Healthy Living