Recommended Web Sites

Exercise: A Guide for Parents - KidsHealth has written this guide for parents, describing the benefits of exercise, the types of useful exercises, and ways to motivate kids.

Exercises for Young Athletes - Here are some exercises to keep your athlete injury-free.

Kids Health - The Mayo Clinic covers some fitness and exercise topics for kids.

6 "Bests" About Kids' Exercise - The National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health offer this quick article.

Action for Healthy Kids - Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools. Interested parents, educators and others can join State Teams to set and work towards goals specific to their state.

BAM! Body And Mind - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created this site for kids.

Best Bones Forever! - The Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health offers this great source for kids.

Children and Sports : Finding the Right Sport - The Mayo Clinic reviews the best sports for kids.

Compulsive Exercise - Parents, read this to learn the warning signs that your child is addicted to exercise.

Eat Smart. Play Hard - Information and promotion materials for this national campaign to encourage kids and families to eat healthy foods and be active.

Exercise, Physical Activity and Children - The American Heart Association encourages fit and active kids.

Fitness and Exercise Guide - A pediatrician has put together this site with lots of great tips.

Fitness For Kids - The Mayo Clinic offers ways to get your kids off the couch.

Fitness For Kids Who Don't Like Sports - KidsHealth explains the many ways to enjoy fitness, without team sports.

Getting Kids Excited to Exercise - This article from American Fitness Professionals and Associates gives great advice on motivating kids to exercise.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) - Offers information about this nationwide program to promote physical activity and healthy behaviors among girls age 8 to 13.

Helping Your Child: Tips for Parents - The Weight-control Information Network discusses health and fitness for kids.

How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need? - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answer this question.

It's Time to Play - KidsHealth has some advice on combining play and fitness.

Kidnetic.com - Games about healthy eating and physical activity for kids ages 9 to 12. Articles in English and Spanish for parents about kids and nutrition, physical activity, and self-esteem.

Kids in Action - Look here for fitness information for your birth-to-5 year old.

Kids and Exercise - This web site lists the particular activities that would be good for children divided by age group.

KidsHealth for Kids: Keeping Fit and Having Fun - Scroll down on this page to the section that talks about such things as: why exercise is cool, what to do if you don’t like exercise, how to play sports safely and other neat information.

KidsHealth for Teens: Food and Fitness - KidsHealth has written dozens of articles for teens all about sports, exercise and dieting topics. Check them out!

KidsHealth for Parents:Nutrition and Fitness - KidsHealth offers great tips for you to encourage fitness in your kids:
Fitness and Your 13- to 18-year-old
Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old
Fitness and Your 4-to 5-Year Old
Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old

Kids Sports Network - The goal of this organization is to promote quality non-school sports and fitness for children between the ages of 3 and 19 through coaches education, special events and activities, public awareness and regular networking with youth sports organizations and agencies.

Let's Move - Tools for families, schools, and communities to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy. The Kids' Collection features activity books, games, videos, posters, and materials for teens.

MedlinePlus: Exercise for Children - The National Library of Medicine has assembled this list of quality sites on the Internet.

Motivation and the Power of Not Giving Up - KidsHealth wrote this for teens, but it is equally true for adults.

Physical Activity Guidelines - The Federal Government has issued its first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. They describe the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits to Americans.

Physical Activity and the Health of Young People- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers this fact sheet which highlights the benefits of regular physical activity and the long-term consequences of sedentary behavior for children and adolescents.

Shape Up America! Tips for Family Fitness Fun - Presents ideas in English and Spanish for parents to use to help kids and teens become healthier and more active.

Small Step. Information in English and Spanish to help adults and teens improve their health through small changes in nutrition and physical activity. Includes an activity tracker to keep track of physical activities and goals. Smallstep KIDS! presents games and activities to help kids make smart food choices and be more active.

Take Charge of Your Health: A Teenager's Guide to Better Health - The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases presents this challenge to teens.

Up2Us: Bring Change Through Youth Sports - Presents program information, fact sheets, and policy briefs about using physical activity and sports as a tool for youth development. Up2Us is a national coalition of sports-based youth-development organizations.

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) - Tips, activity ideas, and tools to help parents and caregivers help their kids and teens ages 8–13 achieve and maintain a healthy weight by focusing on better food choices, increased physical activity, and less time spent watching TV or playing computer or video games.