Fitness for Kids

Physical activity is very important for children. Their growing and developing bodies thrive on physical activity. Yet in today’s modern world, video games and TV sometimes get in the way of sports and playing outside. We need to help and encourage our children to stay physically active for:

• Healthy bodies– Being active helps kids build a healthy heart, bones and muscles. It also helps to maintain a healthy body weight.
• Positive self-esteem and good mental health– Physical activity helps children feel good about themselves. It provides opportunity to help them master a skill. It helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
• Better grades– Being active helps to improve memory and concentration, encourage creativity and build problem-solving skills.
• Better social skills – Playing games and participating in team activities helps children make new friends, learn team-building skills and learn self-discipline.

The habits we help them build today will last a lifetime.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that children and youth get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Moderate activities  include brisk walking and playing in the yard, and vigorous activities include running, swimming and playing sports. This age group should engage in vigorous activities at least 3 days a week.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for children 5 to 11 (PDF)

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for children 12 to 17 (PDF)

Healthy Active Living for Children and Adolescents 

P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay makes recreation in Thunder Bay more accessible to children and youth who are unable to afford program fees.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit offers a “Healthy Kids H.O.M.E Program” to help and support children and their families adopt healthy-living strategies in Thunder Bay.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre offers a pediatric program called “Healthy Kids, Healthy Families” to help children and their families improve their eating habits, physical activity levels, emotional well-being and overall health. 

The Government of Canada’s physical activity tips for children 5-11 years old and youth 12-17 years old.