Daily physical activity and active play are important for infants and toddlers. Movement helps them develop strength, balance, coordination, movement planning skills, endurance, and flexibility. It enables opportunities to explore their environment and supports motor, language, and cognitive development (thinking skills).

Including physical activity throughout your child’s day is the most effective way to encourage movement. Doing so also helps them develop lifelong healthy habits.

Physical activity recommendations vary by age.

Recommendations for Physical Activity by Age

Infants (Birth to 12 Months)

• Promote movement and active play several times each day. Active play for infants includes reaching, grasping, kicking, rolling, crawling, and exploring toys.  Encourage play in different positions, such as lying on their back, during “tummy time,” and sitting with support. Physical activity can also include standing up to explore a toy or object and to interact with family.

To encourage active play, provide a safe, uncluttered play space where your infant can move freely. Choose an area away from foot traffic. Remove hazards such as electrical cords, outlets, unstable furniture, and small objects. Playing on the floor gives your child the freedom to move their body and practice new skills while exploring their play space.

For younger infants aim for a total of 30 minutes of “tummy time” per day. Break "tummy time" into short 5-10-minute periods throughout the day.¹ Tummy time and active play support your child’s physical, thinking, and social development.

• Manage the amount of time your infant spends in equipment. Baby equipment can be helpful and convenient. However, too much time in devices that limit movement can reduce opportunities for your infant to move and explore. Excess time in restrictive devices may increase the risk of container baby syndrome, which can affect development. Earlier motor skill development is linked to less time in restrictive equipment and more time spent being active.
• Equipment that restricts movement includes:
  • Baby carriers
  • Car seats
  • Strollers
  • Activity centers
  • Infant Swings
  • Bouncers
  • Highchairs.
• Set aside time each day to interact and play with your infant and allow them to interact with their environment. Simple activities like “peek-a-boo,” singing songs with movements, and reading help your child learn and grow. Help your child turn the pages as soon as they are able. Place age-appropriate toys around your baby to encourage reaching, rolling, crawling, and changing positions.
  
  Talk to your infant during play and exploration. Hearing your voice and responding to your words helps to support and develop early language skills.

Toddlers (12 to 36 Months)

• Encourage physical activity throughout the day. Toddlers should get at least 3 hours of physical activity per day. This activity should be spread throughout the day, and more movement is even better. 
  
  You can help your child achieve physical activity through both structured and unstructured play. Structured play may include activities that have a goal or simple directions. Examples include an obstacle course, scavenger hunt, or follow-the-leader. Unstructured play allows your child to explore, move, and use their imagination without rules or expectations. Examples of unstructured play include building with blocks, playing with toys, running on the grass, and using playground equipment. Both types of play help your child build strength, coordination, and confidence while having fun.
• Replace sedentary (sitting) time with active play whenever possible. Limit the amount of time your child spends in equipment that restricts movement, such as a stroller or highchair. When it is safe for them to do so, encourage your child to walk during family outings. Limit screen time when your child is inactive. Instead, spend time together reading books, telling stories, making crafts, singing songs, or playing simple games. These activities help strengthen your bond with your child while supporting their learning and development.  

Physical therapists recommend these five strategies to help you create movement opportunities and include physical activity in your child's daily routine.

1. Explore your neighborhood together.

Take your child to a local park, playground, or pool. Young infants can play on a blanket in the park, look at trees, people and their surroundings, and enjoy outdoor sounds.  Older infants and toddlers can, crawl, walk, climb on playground equipment, and explore with supervision. Support your child in the pool and allow them to splash, play, kick, and move through the water to get them comfortable in it.

2. Create opportunities for movement at home.

Set up safe areas where your infant can play on the floor and make floor time part of their daily routine. For older infants, place toys just out of reach to encourage crawling. You can also place them at different heights (such as toward the back of a couch) to encourage crawling and pulling up to stand. Have your child use the edge of the couch for support while they are learning to walk. Let your child climb on or off the couch with your supervision. Build obstacle courses with pillows or couch cushions for toddlers to practice balancing and climbing.

3. Garden together.

Help your child hold the hose or a small watering can. Let them explore the garden with small garden tools, large kitchen spoons, or measuring cups. Let them dig, scoop, pour, and play.  While you garden, place younger infants on a large blanket so they can experience outdoor sights and sounds.

4. Enjoy family bonding time.

Moving and playing together is a fun way to help your child stay active while strengthening family bonds. Turn on some tunes and have a dance party. Hold your child and move to the beat, or encourage older infants and toddlers to dance, jump and move in their own ways. Help them try different movement patterns on their feet. Sing and demonstrate movements  to songs such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” or “I’m a Little Teapot.” Then encourage your child to copy you. Make a family walk part of your daily routine and visit nearby parks and playgrounds.

5. Make everyday errands active.

Trips to the store can be a great opportunity for your toddler to move and explore. When safe and practical, let your child walk beside you rather than ride in a stroller or cart. For fun, let your child walk during visits to places like museums or zoos, pointing out interesting things. Ask questions about what they see to encourage curiosity. Short periods of walking during errands is an easy way to be active and engaged.

Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement.

If you have concerns that your child is not developing age-appropriate movement skills, a physical therapist can evaluate your child and work with you to help them reach their full potential.

You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.

Find a PT Near You

APTA’s Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy authored this content for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent the position of APTA Pediatrics.