Physical activity guidelines for children - ACT Government

It's important that children of all ages get enough activity, plus the right amount of sleep.

This page is part of the Kids at Play Active Play program.

Guidelines for active children

Babies

Babies under 1:

should be be physically active in a variety of ways
if not mobile, should do at least 30 minutes of tummy time, spread throughout the day
not be sedentary for more than an hour at a time during awake times
should not have any screen time
up to 4 months old should get up to 14 to 17 hours good quality sleep, including naps
aged 4 to 11 months should get 12 to 16 hours good quality sleep, including naps.

Toddlers 1 to 2 years

Toddlers should:

be active for at least 180 minutes across the day.
have sedentary behaviour minimised by being in strollers, car seats or high chairs for no more than an hour at a time
have no screen time if younger than 2
be limited to no more than an hour of screen time a day if aged 2 to 3
get 11 to 14 hours of good quality sleep, including naps.

Preschoolers 3 to 5 years

Preschoolers should:

get at least 60 minutes of mainly aerobic activity a day, at least 3 times a week
get several hours of a variety of light physical activities each day
be limited to no more than 2 hours screen time each day
break up long periods of sitting as often as possible
get an uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night.

Children and young people 5 to 17 years

This age group should:

get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each day, mostly aerobic, at least 3 times a week
undertake a few hours of different light physical activities each day
limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day
break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.
get an uninterrupted 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night if aged 5 to 13
get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night if aged 14 to 17.

For more, go to Australian Government physical activity guidelines by age.