What You Can Do

You can help get children and youth moving

• Encourage children and youth to be active in the after-school hours – the 3 to 6 p.m. period between the end of the school day and dinner. Most Canadian parents (73%) say their children are sedentary or sitting idle watching TV, reading, or playing video and computer games in this after-school period. Limit this inactive time.
• Research shows that 5 to19-year-olds who are outside during the after-school period take about 2,000 more steps per day than kids who are indoors (this is roughly the same as walking an extra two kilometres per day)!

• Speak out for after-school programs that are inclusive, accessible & affordable.
• Be active yourself, to be a role model for your kids – think of active modes of transportation and active family time.
• Get youth involved in planning and organizing physical activity programs.
• Speak out for an increase in mandatory health and physical education credits at secondary schools.
• Call for active break-time in schools. 
• Promote partnerships between schools, municipalities, and communities for shared-use facilities.
• Ask for spaces that support physical activity in your community, such as access to green space; connected sidewalks, paths and trails; maintenance of equipment and outdoor spaces; bike racks; and no-car zones at schools.