A recent study designed to identify factors associated with physical activity in young children found that the activity level in the child care center had a profound effect on the child’s overall physical activity. These findings support a role for child care providers in promoting quality activity programs and providing space and time for young children to be active.

Outdoor and indoor play can provide lots of opportunity for physical activity. Both unstructured and structured playtimes are important. Try some of the following ideas:

	Obstacle Course
	Create an obstacle course that children can climb over, under, around and through-using chairs, pillows, cardboard, etc.
	Turn On the Music and Dance
	Try freeze dancing where you turn off the music and have children hold their positions in place.
	Creative Movement
	How would you move to describe a sizzle? A splash? A hammer? How would you walk on ice? Hot sand? In a strong wind? Can you move like a duck? A horse? A dragon?
	Walking
	Go for a walk in the neighborhood or a nearby park. Learn about trees, plants and animals in the area.