Want to give your child more chances for active play? Creating an activity calendar makes it easier! Below is a blank activity calendar, and a list of activities to get you started. You can download a printable version of this entire action plan at the bottom of this page. Or, you can create your own activity calendar in a journal or planner.

Choose activities from the list below to do with your child each day. Select activities that are appropriate for your child's age. Add your own ideas too! 

Be sure to allow time for child-led activities. You provide a safe space to play. Your child decides how to play!

If they are old enough, your child can also help you come up with ideas for your calendar. Be flexible if your child wants to do a different activity than the one you had planned. 

Outdoor activities:

• Visit a hiking trail. See what your child discovers in nature!
• Play with your dog (if you have one) or offer to walk a neighbor’s dog.
• Play under a sprinkler in a grassy area.
• Run, skip, jump, hop, or race at a park! 
• Play in the sand area at a playground.
• Play with toys in the yard.
• Play in the water at a nearby river or lake. Stay with your young child 100% of the time and have them wear a life vest for safety. 
• Play games you remember from when you were a child. Some examples are Simon Says, tag, or freeze tag. Here are instructions on how to play these example games.
• Make a hopscotch grid with sidewalk chalk or masking tape (if inside).
• Play kickball with a large, soft ball.
• Go bicycling in a safe area. Younger children can have fun with four-wheeled scooters, tricycles and big wheels.
• Make up and play your own family version of an outdoor game.
• Make homemade bubbles, then chase, catch, and pop them.
• Create a “carwash” for kids’ toys.

Indoor or outdoor activities:

• Have scavenger hunts. For indoor scavenger hunts, you (or older siblings) can hide a favorite stuffed animal for your child to find.
• Play hide and seek.
• Dance and clap to music.
• Jump from low steps.
• Balance on one leg and then switch.
• Act like a kangaroo hopping or a train chugging along the tracks.
• Sweep the floor or pick up toys.
• Walk a straight line. Using painter’s tape (or chalk if outside), draw a line or 2. Have children balance on, jump over, or walk between the lines.
• Walk on tiptoes.

Indoor activities:

• Set up an obstacle course with furniture and/or boxes.
• Time your kids doing anything (for example, picking up toys, or getting dressed).
• Play with sock balls or soft foam balls (rolling, throwing, bouncing, kicking).
• Have your child balance a beanbag or stuffed animal on their head.

SAVE And Print

Download a printable version of this action plan.