Children need physical activity as part of their overall health regimen . How much physical activity a child needs varies with age . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children between the ages of three and five should be active throughout the day to ensure proper growth and development . This can be achieved by being physically active during play . Children and adolescents between the ages of six and 17 need to be active for at least 60 minutes each day , with that activity being moderate-to-vigorous in nature . The activities enjoyed should include a variety of aerobic , muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening exercises .