Give Your Kids a Healthy and Active Summer

Physical Activity

• Help your kids and teens get 60 minutes of physical activity every day! Check for free or low-cost sports camps at their school or the local rec center — or get active by walking, biking, or rolling as a family during your summer vacation.
• Play fitness bingo or other creative games when you’re with a group of friends for fun ways to pass time while also getting your bodies moving.
• After a fun day of play, help your child wind down and get a good night’s sleep. Find out how much sleep your child needs.
  

Nutrition

• Getting enough water every day is important for your child’s health. Help your child choose water over sugary drinks.
• Stay energized by trying these healthy eating ideas.
• School meals are free for all kids this summer! Check your school’s or school district’s website for more information.

Social Emotional Learning

• Dancing to music from other countries and languages can strengthen the ability to empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Here are some hits from around the world that your child can dance to.
• Try one of these four summer activities to continue teaching social and emotional learning.

Physical Activity

• Try using this Family Nature Club Toolkit to help you plan and share outdoor experiences with like-minded friends and families who are yearning for “more green, less screen.”
• When devices are being used, motivate children to get active on commercial breaks or in between shows.
• Use the Media Time Calculator and Family Media Use Plan to monitor overall media use together as a family.

Nutrition

• Download the Dining Decisions mobile app on your phone or tablet to help your kids make healthy food choices at home or on the go.
• Here are some online games and activities for your child to play, assorted by grade level. These activities encourage curiosity and promote healthy eating habits.
• Check out USDA’s eating plan to help balance healthy meals for you and your family.

Social Emotional Learning

• Try planting a garden or volunteering at a community garden as a family. This can help foster teamwork and strengthen relationships.

Physical Activity

• Kids stuck in the house on a rainy day? Watch this video for tips to help your kids get physical activity when they can’t go outside. 

Nutrition

• Try making a new recipe together with a fruit or veggie your child likes It’s a great way to bond and encourage cooking habits in the home.
• Family members can eat similarly nutritious meals as the child to encourage healthy eating habits.
  

Social Emotional Learning

• Strengthen your family relationships and support kids and teens in making responsible choices with this simple guide to creating family agreements. Also available in Spanish.
• Arts and crafts are a great way for your child to make connections between feelings and creativity. See this guide for 15 art lessons you can implement in the home to support your child socially and emotionally.

Physical Activity

• Learn a new dance move or try a new sport with friends – trying something new can be fun and rewarding.
• Make getting more physical activity and exercise a family challenge through family activity points.
  

Nutrition

• Try a new fruit or vegetable. Ask for your child’s opinion or simply introduce a new fruit or vegetable in the kitchen. Try this Kids Food Critic activity to make exploring new foods more exciting.

Social Emotional Learning

• Camps provide opportunities for children to try new activities, develop relationship and social skills, and be physically active. Visit your county’s parks and recreation website or stop by a local center for information on free summer sessions near you.

• CDC has COVID-19 guidance for how camps can maintain health and safety.