Children need physical education, safe routes to walk and ride their bikes to school, and access to parks, playgrounds and community centers to get the 60 minutes of active play they need each day. Sports leagues, and dance and fitness programs that are exciting and challenging will keep children engaged. Community organizations can take steps to increase opportunities for kids to be physically active –  in school and in their communities – and create opportunities for families to engage in physical activity together.

Ideas to Promote Physical Activity

There are many ways congregations and community organizations can help children get the daily physical activity they need. Here are some ideas to get started:

• President’s Active Lifestyle Challenge: Help children take the PALA Challenge by hosting the challenge within your organization.

• Support Community Sports: Support or start a community sports league, intramural sport, or physical activity club that is accessible to all community members – regardless of skill, ability, or financial resources. This is especially important in locations with few or no school-supported physical activity programs.
• Safe Routes to Walk and Bike: Ensure that children have safe routes to walk and bike in your community.

• Organize Active Events: Create a physical activity club in your congregation or community center. Organize a walk, dance, or bike-a-thon, 5K, field day, fun run, relay race, or come up with your own active event ideas.
• Promote Recreational Facilities: Partner with local community centers and schools to promote the use of recreational facilities, gymnasiums, playing fields, and playgrounds.
• Open Your Facility: Provide access to open green spaces, gymnasiums, recreation rooms, fellowship halls, and other meeting spaces for local schools or groups to increase opportunities for kids to participate in physical activity after school and on weekends.
• BodyWorks Program: Support or start a BodyWorks program in your community – a program designed to teach healthy habits to adolescents and families.
• CROP Hunger Walk: Participate in a CROP hunger walk to fight hunger locally and raise awareness and funds for international relief and development.