Why is physical activity important for children? Well, there are so many fantastic reasons! From boosting their overall health to enhancing their mood, the benefits of physical activity for kids are truly limitless. Plus, staying active doesn’t have to be boring—in fact, with PGL, it’s always an adventure filled with fun and excitement!
5 Benefits of physical activity for children
Physical activity does more than just keep kids fit—it supports their overall development. Regular exercise strengthens muscles, bones, and the heart, while also boosting cognitive skills like focus, memory, and problem-solving. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of physical activity for kids in more detail:
1. Improve health
The health benefits of physical activity for children are no doubt some of the biggest and best! Whether they’re out playing sports, running around the playground, or taking part in other outdoor adventures, staying active can do wonders for their overall health.
For instance, regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and helps children stay active. It’s an essential part of your child’s physical growth and development, laying the foundation for a strong, healthy body as they grow.
2. Opportunity to socialise
Team sports, physical education at school, or even playing with friends outdoors all have elements of socialisation. Any of these provides an opportunity for kids to develop their social skills — especially team sports.
From bonding with teammates off the field and forming new friendships to coordinating in-game by sharing and receiving information, both experiences significantly enhance their communication skills. All of this comes in handy throughout childhood and even into adulthood when your child meets new people and experiences different environments.
3. Develop self-esteem
One of the greatest benefits of physical activity for children is how it can improve self-esteem. It could be that a child has low confidence in their ability in a certain sport or activity, or even struggles to socialise with new people.
By achieving small goals, such as learning a new skill, scoring a point, or simply keeping up with a team, this can give them a sense of accomplishment and pride. Participating in group activities also encourages them to step out of their comfort zone, connect with others, and develop a stronger belief in themselves and their abilities.
4. Helps ease feelings of anxiety
Physical activity is an excellent way to help kids unwind, with almost any type offering the ability to ease tension. Simply being active can stimulate the production of endorphins and reduce stress hormones, which is what happens when we feel relaxed. It’s a great distraction for kids if they’re feeling stressed, and something as simple as a run can help.
5. Builds life skills
Finally, physical activities for kids are a great way to develop key skills. They enhance personal growth, boost communication and teamwork abilities, improve problem-solving, and build physical coordination and strength.
These are all heavily featured in team sports, but general outdoor activities like our PGL multi-activities can encourage kids to express themselves and learn new skills.
Some more specific benefits of physical activity for kids include:
- Builds stronger bones
- Boosts cardiovascular fitness
- Improves sleep
- Increases concentration
- Helps with posture and balance
Recommended amount of physical activity for children and young people
The NHS states that children aged between 5 and 18 should take part in two types of physical activity every week: aerobic exercises and exercises that strengthen their muscles and bones. These activities are crucial to help boost cardiovascular health, manage weight, promote healthy growth and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
It’s also important to:
- Do at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week. Already, 47% of children and young people are meeting this target through regular participation in sports and physical activities.
- Vary the types and intensity of physical activity to help develop different movement abilities, muscles and bones. This ensures that all muscle groups are engaged, which not only supports physical health but also reduces the risk of overuse injuries.
So, by integrating different forms of physical activity, children not only strengthen their bodies but also enhance their mental, emotional, and social health, setting them up for success across all areas of life.
Physical activities that benefit kids at PGL camps
At PGL, all of our outdoor adventure activities incorporate all of the above! From learning teamwork skills in Raft Building to helping kids conquer their fears and gain confidence whilst Abseiling. We have so many fun and thrilling activities to keep your children entertained! Check some of them out:
- Archery: Perfect for developing focus and precision, archery at PGL combines skill-building with fun. Kids will learn the basics of aiming and shooting under the guidance of experienced instructors, fostering confidence with every bullseye.
- High Ropes Course: This adrenaline-pumping physical activity takes kids 12 metres above ground to tackle various obstacles. It’s ideal for building resilience, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment as they navigate the challenges with support from peers and instructors.
- Survivor: An immersive outdoor experience where children can develop bushcraft skills such as shelter building and fire-lighting. This activity emphasises problem-solving and creativity, all while instilling a sense of adventure.
- Trapeze: A thrilling leap of faith! Kids climb to the top of a high platform and jump to grab a trapeze bar, testing their bravery and determination in a safe, supportive environment.
- Zip Wire: A PGL classic! Suspended in a harness, kids zoom across a zip wire, often overlooking a forest or even a lake. It’s an exhilarating way to conquer fears and enjoy a rush of excitement.
- Problem Solving: Through interactive challenges and puzzles, kids work together to crack codes, overcome obstacles, and achieve team goals. This activity promotes communication, critical thinking, and collaborative skills.
- Giant Stand-Up Paddleboarding: A unique water activity where children work together to navigate a large paddleboard. It’s a fun way to enhance balance, teamwork, and coordination while enjoying the outdoors.
Make the most of the outdoors with PGL!
Now you’re familiar with the benefits of physical activity for kids, why not take a look at our outdoor adventure camps!
At PGL, we have a range of adventure-filled camps over the school holidays, including multi-activity holidays, Surfing, Netball and more. Our camps have been running for over 66 years so, we know a thing or two about enriching adventures. Why not take a look through more of our fun-filled children’s adventure holidays.
We also have plenty of other camps running throughout the school holidays. So, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help. It’s never too late to book!
