Why is it so important for kids to stay active? 🏃‍♂️

In the whirlwind of daily family life—sandwiched between school, homework, screen time, and quiet moments—it isn’t always easy to make room for movement.

Yet, for a child, moving is a fundamental need that goes far beyond simply "burning off energy." Jumping, running, climbing, rolling… every one of these actions plays an active role in your child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. So, should we be encouraging them to move more? The answer is simple: yes, but without the pressure. At Tajinebanane, we’re breaking down why movement is essential and how to weave it naturally into your daily routine. ⚡

Pourquoi est-ce important que les enfants bougent ? 🏃‍♂️

Movement: A cornerstone of child development 💪

For a child, movement is never "just" play. It is the building block of their overall development. From a physical standpoint, regular activity strengthens muscles and builds coordination, balance, and even bone density. It also helps prevent long-term issues like sedentary habits or weight gain.

But it doesn’t stop there—movement is also fuel for the brain. By exploring their environment and testing their own limits, children develop their motor skills alongside vital cognitive abilities like focus, memory, and problem-solving. It’s also crucial to remember that developing fine motor skills starts from the very beginning.

On top of that, movement acts as a natural emotional regulator. Being active helps release tension, channel energy, and can even lead to better sleep. Simply put: a child who moves is often a more balanced, peaceful child. ✨

How much movement should we aim for each day? 👟

It’s easy to think that we need to organize complex sports activities to get a child moving "the right way." In reality, simple, daily movement is more than enough. That said, international guidelines are fairly clear:

For children under 5: It is recommended to reach at least 180 minutes (about three hours) of physical activity per day, spread throughout the day. For older toddlers, at least 60 minutes of this should be moderate-to-vigorous activity.
For children and adolescents (ages 5 to 17): The goal is at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.

If you’re wondering what counts, moderate activity includes medium-intensity things like brisk walking, gardening, dancing, cycling, or swimming. Vigorous activity refers to higher-intensity efforts like hiking, running, CrossFit, tennis, or ball and combat sports.

In practice, however, these goals are still far from being met. In France, according to Santé Publique France, fewer than one in two children meet these recommendations. Furthermore, sedentary habits tend to increase with age; it’s estimated that children spend an average of over two hours a day in front of a screen—sometimes much more depending on the season.

If three hours sounds daunting for the little ones, remember that this doesn't have to be "sport" in the strict sense. This time includes all the simple movements of daily life: playing, dancing, running, climbing, crawling... even just standing up and walking around counts.

In other words, it’s not about performance; it’s about variety and consistency. A few minutes here and there throughout the day make a huge difference. Often, it’s in the simplest moments that movement happens most naturally. 🏃‍♂️

How can you naturally add movement into your daily life? 🪁

Great news: getting your kids moving doesn't have to be a logistical headache. Often, the simplest approaches are the most effective.

First, make room for unstructured play. These undirected moments are when children most naturally explore their own physical limits. A living room can quickly transform into an adventure zone, a garden into a discovery site, and a hallway into an improvised dance floor or racetrack.

You can also introduce toys or objects that practically beg to be moved—they do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. A perfect example is Stapelstein, an innovative German brand that makes lightweight, sturdy, and 100% recyclable stacking stones designed to stimulate motor skills, balance, and creativity. These pieces work as platforms, stepping stones, or obstacles, and are just as home indoors as they are outside. They are eco-responsible and show exactly how a few modular elements can spark a child's imagination to climb, jump, and stack. It’s a brilliant way to combine safety, sustainability, and the pure joy of movement.

Finally, there’s the movement we share. A family walk, a game at the park, a few dance moves in the living room, or a bit of play in the garden... moving together can become a powerful way to connect with your child. ✨

And what about screen time in all of this? 📱

It is hard to discuss physical activity without addressing screens, which play such a major role in daily life today. Without suggesting a total ban, it’s clear that screens can significantly cut into movement time and limit essential experiences like social interaction.

The goal isn't to make you feel guilty if your child spends time in front of a screen, but rather to find a realistic balance. It’s all about nuance: alternating between quiet time and active moments, or offering fun alternatives like board games and invitations to run, jump, and play. For instance, after a session of screen time, you could simply suggest an activity that gets the body moving again, like a few minutes of unstructured play.

At the end of the day, every family does their best within the reality of their own rhythm and constraints. The key isn't necessarily to eliminate screens entirely, but to ensure they don't take up all the space.

Looking for some easy ways to get things moving? Here are a few simple ideas to spark activity in your daily life: 💥

In a family routine that is already well-oiled, incorporating movement can feel like just one more task to manage. However, it can easily be woven into small daily moments without the headache: walking instead of driving when possible, suggesting an active game after school or homework, or turning a routine into a playful moment... In short, these are simple actions that, when added together, help create a more active environment for both your child and yourself.

And let’s not forget the importance of our environment! Whether it’s keeping a bit of open space, having objects within easy reach, or simply allowing for free movement without too many restrictions... all of this naturally encourages a child to be more active, often without them even realizing it.

Key Takeaways 🫶

Getting kids moving shouldn’t feel like just another chore on your to-do list. At its core, it’s about meeting a fundamental need—just like eating, sleeping, or feeling safe.

It can be simple and accessible: plenty of unstructured play, a bit of open space, and intentional moments to move and burn off energy... all wrapped in a lot of kindness. Remember, a child who moves is a child who explores, grows, and thrives. 💛

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Written by Bertrand Lamy
@tajinebanane

Sources:

Santé Publique France: https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/presse/2022/sante-publique-france-lance-une-nouvelle-campagne-faire-bouger-les-ados-c-est-pas-evident.-mais-les-encourager-c-est-important