While 86% of parents believe that sport and play are important parts of every young person’s education and development, only 42% are aware of the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance that children should be active for 60 minutes a day on average over the course of a week. 24% of parents believe it to be 30 minutes or less. The guidelines differ for children and young people who have a disability. 

The charity said a lack of parental awareness is a problem because 2.4 million young people are active for less than 30 minutes per day while it is seeing rapidly rising rates of childhood obesity and children experiencing poor mental wellbeing. 

While the competition takes place for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the charity is making free daily, bite sized ideas available to help children keep moving by breaking down 60 active minutes a day into short bursts of activity. Find the resources here. 

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: 

“This summer is jam packed with brilliant major sporting events and we are thrilled to be launching our 60 active minutes campaign as well as supporting the Active Summer Challenge and championing other campaigns to support families.  

“We’re working hard with the sector to bring forward ideas and challenges to translate the inspiration of events like the Women’s Euros and the Commonwealth Games into simple, accessible, and inclusive challenges. At the Youth Sport Trust we are passionate about the benefits that come from play and sport and the vital importance of ensuring all children take part in 60 active minutes every day to help them feel a sense of belonging and grow up to be happy and healthy.” 

What do we mean by 60 active minutes a day for children and young people? 

Moderate intensity activities will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. One way to tell if you or your child are working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing. 

Quick ideas to keep the family moving 

The Youth Sport Trust is sharing ideas from other organisations, government and charities for busy families over the summer, one of which is the Active Summer Challenge. Keep tuned in to @YouthSportTrust on social media for more ideas:  

Active Summer Challenge 

A series of challenges (one challenge per week) related to exciting moments of sport that are taking place through the summer. The challenges can be used by anyone regardless of age, ability or background. A core part of the challenge is that young people will set their own pledge and add in how many minutes they were physically active for each day.  

10-minute Shake Ups 

The Office for Health and Disparities has teamed up with Disney to launch the 10 Minute Shake Up to help children stay active over the summer holidays. Get your kids off the sofa for just 10 minutes a day and play games with some of their favourite Disney characters. 

For more information about the Youth Sport Trust’s work in schools to inspire young people around the Commonwealth games, please visit www.youthsporttrust.org/programmes/commonwealth-games