MSU Extension Child & Family Development

101 Tips for Increasing Physical Activity in Early Childhood

Summary : Pamphlet that provides ideas for increasing physical activity with young children.

Source: National Association for Sport and Physical Activity Education

Action Guide: For Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies

Summary: A guide for creating policies including rationale, steps for creating policies, and policy recommendations.

Source: Connecticut State Department of Education

“Get Moving” Physical Activity Early Childhood Facilitator Guide

Summary: Six lessons for childcare providers to use in teaching children ages 3-5 about physical activity. Includes teacher resources to implement each lesson, as well as corresponding materials to share with families.

Source: Michigan University State Extension

GO Noodle for Schools - Indoor Physical Activity Ideas

Summary: Ideas for indoor physical activity for providers in schools and child care.

Source: GO Noodle, Inc.

Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments

Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.

Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)

Healthy Kids, Healthy Future

Summary: Under the section "Get Kids Moving," find children’s activities and adult resources such as curriculums for physical activity of children under 5, training for care givers, administrative resources, guides for adapting activities and spaces for children with disabilities, and more. Find a link to a yearlong calendar that includes simple physical activities for each day of the year, as well as a link to a resource booklet "Best Practices for Physical Activity" (pages 6-11) that gives some ideas for physical activity specific to each age.

Source: The Nemours Foundation

Healthy Tips for Active Play Tip Sheet

Summary: Tips for active play during inside and outside play times, including at home with families.

Source: United State Department of Agriculture

Infusing Physical Activity throughout the Child Care Day

Summary: Tips to incorporating age-appropriate physical activity, including a sample daily schedule for toddlers and preschoolers.

Source: Missouri Department of Health and Human Services

Mealtime Memo: Physical Activities in the Child Care Setting

Summary: Explains the importance of physical activity for children and gives activity ideas specifically for toddlers and preschoolers during indoor and outside play. Additional resources are included.

Source: Institute of Child Nutrition

Milestone Tracker Mobile App

Summary: Track and children’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with this easy-to-use check list. Includes a video and flyers explaining how to use the app.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings

Summary: Nutrition toolkit that describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.

Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance

Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children

Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply the tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 63-68.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service

Physical Activity Cards

Summary: More than 100 physical activity cards for children ages 4-15 that can be downloaded and printed for free.

Source: University of Missouri Extension

Physical Activity Cards for All Ages

Summary: 24 physical activity cards appropriate or adjustable for all ages that can be downloaded and printed for free.

Source: Alliance for Healthier Generation

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans – 2nd Edition

Summary: Updated guidelines for children and adolescents on physical activity. Go to Chapter 3 (pages 46-54) to view specific recommended times and activities for preschool-aged children.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Physical Activity Toolkit for Preschool-Aged Children

Summary: A guide for early care and education centers to integrate and increase children’s physical activity throughout the day. Resources include planning and scheduling tools, sample activities, skill cards, do-it-yourself equipment tips, policy templates, and no-cost education resources.

Source: California Department of Public Health

Sample Child Care Physical Activity Policy

Summary: Example of a child care physical activity policy. It outlines the amount of expected daily play, roles of staff members, screen time, and appropriate clothing, and discipline. 

Source: South Carolina Early Child Care and Education

Screen Time Reduction Early Childhood Facilitator Guide

Summary: Six lessons for childcare providers to use in teaching children ages 2-5 about reducing screen time. Includes teacher resources to implement each lesson, as well as corresponding materials to share with families.

Source: Michigan University State Extension

Sesame Street: Healthy Habits for Life

Summary: Activities for providers, children, and families, some of which focus on nutrition and physical activity.

Source: Sesame Workshop