<p>The Center for Disease Control and other major health organizations recommend children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes daily of moderate physical activity.</p><p>For children and adolescents, regular physical activity has beneficial effects on the following aspects of health:  Weight  Muscular strength  Cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness  Bone mass (through weight-bearing activities)  Blood pressure (for hypertensive youth)  Anxiety and stress  Self-esteem</p><p>Experience Active Family Fun – Time together is time that’s treasured. Try:  Family Adventures – See the sights of your community. Discover the public parks. Visit the zoo. Explore outdoor tourist attractions. Try hiking, fishing, canoeing and berry-picking.  Seasonal Celebrations – Welcome each season with fun. o Winter: Go sledding or build a snowman. o Spring: Play ball or fly a kite. o Summer: Run through the sprinkler or jump rope. o Fall: Play Frisbee golf or hike through a pumpkin patch.  The Gifts of Physical Activity – Give a present that encourages activity. Outfit that special someone with a swimsuit or pair of athletic shoes. Select toys that make kids move, such as a jump rope, bicycle or basketball.  Community Service – Benefit others while benefiting you – volunteer as a family. Do litter patrol on a nearby road, help neighbors rake yard or team up to clean a favorite park.  Walk and Talk – Instead of sitting at the table to do homework, take a walk with your child while practicing spelling words, multiplication tables or geography facts. Turn off the television and take a walk after dinner. Limit time on the computer and phone.  Household Jobs: Encourage responsibility and home maintenance skills by having your children help vacuum, scrub floors, mow the lawn, walk the dog, wash the car and more.  Indoor Fun: Designate a place where kids can roll, climb, jump, dance and tumble. Garages without cars can become an activity zone on rainy or snowy days.  Traveling Locker Room: Stash a box in the family car that holds balls, baseball gloves, jump ropes, Frisbees, kites, etc. You’ll always be ready for fun.</p><p>Follow the recommendations of the Physical Activity Pyramid to guide the way for healthy young people! </p>