Active Children and Young People

Being active is really good for your body, mind and health – and there are lots of easy ways you and your family can get moving.
There are many ways busy families and young people can build physical activity into their lives. Being physically active is easier than you think, especially if you make activity part of your daily routine.
Here you will find some handy activity ideas, top tips and guidance on how active we should all be and how we can build it into our every day life.
Focusing on these 3 things is a great way to start:
- Bitesize chunks - try to avoid long periods of inactivity
- Move more - remember, every movement matters! Walking, running, jumping, cycling, climbing, dancing...it's all good!
- Find what's fun - get involved in feel good activities. This can be activity in and out of school.
Children and young people should aim to be active for at least 60 minutes per day, every day of the week. Children and young people with disabilities should aim to be active for 20 minutes per day, every day of the week.
Physical Activity for Children and Young People (5-18 years old)

Physical Activity for Children and Young People with a Disability (5-18 years old)

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Schools have a large role to play in helping children to be active during the school day.
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Children who travel actively to school are happier, healthier, and more likely to achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines.
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What's around my way is here to help you find your local park, open space, walking and cycling routes and give you some ideas on what to do when you get there.
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If you prefer to be active from home, there are lots of fun ways for you to be active together as a family without even leaving the house.
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Looking for fun things to do with the family? We've got it covered.
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Your Local Physical Activity, Health & Wellbeing Team
Contact your local Team who can provide information, advice and opportunities for children and young people to be more active. Let's Get Moving!
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How much physical activity should children and young people be doing?
Find out how much physical activity they should be doing, as well as top tips and activity suggestions!
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Encouraging your child to be physically active may help in leading a healthy, active lifestyle as they get older. Give your child the best start in life!
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Looking for some family time? Why not get out and about and spend some quality time together whilst being active using our resources for families.
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The Holiday Activities and Food Programme is specifically targeted to offer provision to children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals across Leicestershire.
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Holiday Activities and Food - Leicester City
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme is specifically targeted to offer provision to children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals within Leicester City
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Holiday Activities and Food - Rutland
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme is specifically targeted to offer provision to children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals across Rutland
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A great selection of family-friendly activity ideas and resources to begin moving more together in your living room, garden or local park.
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Better Health- Healthier Families
A fantastic resource with information, activities and advice to help you and your family stay healthy and happy using simple activities and nutritional tips.
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Fun curriculum linked resources to get children moving and having fun while they learn. Super Movers provides a range of activities across Key Stage 1 and 2 subjects to help keep active.
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Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on interesting walks to find places for fun activities.
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Andy travels the world to amazing places and learns to move like the animals he meets on his wild adventure. Can you adventure with Andy and learn some animal moves of your own?
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A new inclusive active-learning dance classes for disabled children! These first-of-their kind virtual classes will help keep disabled children moving during lockdown and are inclusive to a wide range of needs.
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BBC Mood Boosters has tons of videos and resources aimed to get school kids moving, both at home and in the classroom.
Support for children & young people with special educational needs and disabilities (The Local Offer)

The Local Offer supports parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and young people with SEND themselves.
The Local Offer aims to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the opportunities available for families with a child or children who have a disability or additional needs.
For more information click on the relevant links below.
- Leicestershire Local Offer
- Leicester City SEND Local Offer
- Rutland SEND Local Offer
- How to start being active Activity Alliance Guide
- Every Body Moves - Parasport's Activity Finder
Stay safe in sport and activity
Sport and exercise is fun – it gives you the opportunity to make new friends, try out new activities and amaze yourself with what you can do. As a young person involved in sport or physical activity, you have a right to be treated fairly and enjoy your activity.
If you take part in sport or activity you can expect your Teacher, Coach or Instructor to:
- Be organised and on time
- Treat you with respect
- Support and encourage you
- Never use bad language
Is something worrying you? Don't keep it to yourself
- tell an adult you trust as soon as possible, such as:
- a parent or someone else in your family
- another member of staff at the sports club
- a teacher or school counsellor
- your doctor or school nurse
- your club will have a child protection officer – find out who they are and tell them about your worries
- make sure you're not alone again with the person who has tried to harm you.

Childline
Is the free, 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can call about any problem, at any time – day or night.
You might also want to take a look at Childline's Sport and exercise pages for info and advice on issues relating to sport.
- Telephone
- 0800 1111
- Website
- https://www.childline.org.uk/