Child Physical Activity Toolkit

The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living is developing a series of toolkits to accompany the reports, Healthy Children, Healthy State, to raise awareness of child health risk factors in order to develop new programs and actions, and to build on current initiatives in Texas.

The Child Physical Activity Toolkit below is based on evidence, best-practices, and findings from an external messaging campaign conducted in 2019 for the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living. This toolkit consists of resources, data, tools, and guides. Use this toolkit to learn about the current physical activity crisis in Texas and how you can impact our state's health. 

This toolkit was last updated on January 21, 2022.

Texas SPAN Data Explorer

• The School Physical Activity & Nutrition (SPAN) Survey from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living published their 2015-2016 Child Nutrition in Texas results online in an interactive database. This interactive database shows results by state and regions of the state for grades 2, 4, 8, and 11.

General Physical Activity Resources and Information:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared an article discussing "How much physical activity do children need?" with recommendations for all ages.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared an article discussing "Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child's Life" with some ideas to encourage physical activity at home.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention crafted an overview of the Physical Activity Guidelines for parents to easily review children's physical activity recommendations.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services prepared Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans which details recommendations for all ages.
• The World Health Organization provided Key Physical Activity Facts for parents and families to review and implement.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a program, "Move Your Way," that provides ideas for physical activity at home and in school.
• Action for Healthy Kids compiled a resource listing for "PE, Physical Activity, and Play" with articles and ideas of activities to do at home.
• The American Heart Association provided recommendations for physical activity in adults and children.
• SHAPE America's program, "Healthy Home, Active Home," provides resources for parents to encourage physical activity for their children.
• Action for Healthy Kids shared an article, "PE for Parents," with recommendations for parents to get involved in PE.

General Physical Activity Resources and Information:

• The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living's project Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) is a school based health program designed to promote physical activity ad healthy food choices and prevent tobacco use.
• The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living's project Active Play-Active Learning aims to promote active play and active learning through low-cost, fun, and practical strategies.
• The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living's project Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools (STREETS) is a project evaluating the City of Austin Safe Routes to School program.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled an overview and listing of Physical Education resources, programs, policies, and research.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared an overview of Inclusive School Physical Education and Physical Activity with educational materials, research, policies, and promotion ideas.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled an overview and listing of Recess resources, programs, policies, and research.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled an overview and listing of Classroom Physical Activity resources, programs, policies, and research.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled an overview and listing of Physical Activity Before and After School resources, programs, policies, and research.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled an overview and listing of Staff Involvement resources, programs, policies, and research.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared information about the BAM! Body and Mind Classroom Resources for Teachers of grades 4-8.
• Springboard to Active Schools created a document with Classroom Physical Activity Ideas and Tips.
• Springboard to Active Schools shared Considerations for Classroom Physical Activity During COVID-19.
• The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research shared a Youth Compendium of Physical Activities for Classroom Teachers.
• The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research shared a Youth Compendium of Physical Activities for Physical Education Teachers.
• The Community Guide created a guide for Physical Activity that shares recommendations and promotion materials.
• The Administration for Community Living runs the I Can Do It! program to offer an integrated program to K-12 grades. 
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created an infographic on the Benefits of School-Based Physical Activity,

Physical Activity Resources and Information for Early Childcare Education:

• Healthy Kids, Healthy Future shares benefits and best practices of physical activity for all ages groups including babies and toddlers.
• Shape America compiled a listing of Early Childhood Resources with physical activity resources for infants, toddlers, and Pre-K classrooms.
• The National Association for Sport and Physical Education created a document with 101 Tips For Increasing Physical Activity in Early Childhood.
• The GO NAPSACC Program works with child care providers to improve the health of young children and includes a module on physical activity.
• The Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE!) Texas program from the Department of State Health Services is a statewide initiative that promotes healthful, nature-based outdoor spaces at early childcare and education programs.
• The OLE! Texas program shared a listing of Texas specific resources.

General Physical Activity Resources and Information:

• The Healthy Children, Healthy State status report project from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living published the Child Physical Activity Crisis in Texas one-pager to highlight the current state of child physical activity in Texas.
• The Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living hosted a webinar, "Resuming In-Person Physical Activity Safely: Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Practical Recommendations" that shares an overview of staying physically active safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a Guide to Strategies to Increase Physical Activity in the Community with ideas for community wide campaigns.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services compiled a resource listing for the Move Your Way campaign with many free community resources.
• The Physical Activity Alliance developed a National Physical Activity Plan with policies, programs, and initiatives to increase physical activity.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a document listing for Family and Community Engagement in increasing physical activity.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a resource compilation with Community Strategies to create or modify environments to promote active commuting and physical activity.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared the "Community Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation for Combined Built Environment Approaches to Increase Physical Activity."
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the national initiative, Active People, Healthy Nation, which shares a variety of resources for community involvement in increasing physical activity.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted an article about "How to Be Physically Active While Social Distancing."
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rounded up the physical activity initiatives for those interested in learning more about these programs.

Learn about the obesity crisis in Texas:

• The Texas Research-To-Policy Collaboration Project at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living developed a report titled COVID-19: Impact of Childhood Obesity on Health Outcomes.
• The Texas Research-To-Policy Collaboration Project at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living developed a report titled COVID-19: Impact of Adult Obesity on Health Outcomes.
• The Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) project at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living developed an infographic titled Our Kids Want to Walk the Walk.