Teaching children to be active from a young age, by playing sports or finding other ways to exercise, has a positive impact on their mental, physical, and emotional health. The physical benefits of regular activity include having more muscle mass, a healthy weight, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Regular activity also promotes strong bones, increases levels of LDL cholesterol, and helps kids develop motor skills. Exercising and playing sports can also give kids a boost of self-confidence and helps increase their self-esteem. Studies have also shown that exercise helps children do better in school. One study examined children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and found that children with ADHD performed better on a test after walking for 20 minutes.

• Benefits of Exercise for Children – An article from the organization Take the Magic Step that explains the numerous physical benefits of exercising, as well as the emotional and mental benefits.
• Exercise for Children – Information from the National Institutes of Health on the various benefits of exercise for kids.
• Why Is Physical Activity Important? – Information from the USDA on the importance of physical activity from a young age.
• The Importance of Movement and Physical Activity – Article from PBS Teachers on the benefits of activity. The article offers suggestions for working physical exercise and activity into the daily curriculum.
• Changing Diet and Exercise for Kids – An explanation of the American Psychological Association's Acting Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise for Kids (ABCDE) program, which encourages daily exercise and healthy eating choices.
• Benefits of Physical Activity for Your Children (PDF) – A fact sheet from the Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation listing the benefits of exercise and suggesting ways parents can encourage kids to be active.
• Exercise May Lead to Better School Performance for Kids with ADHD – An article examining the results of a study showing a connection between physical activity such as walking and an improved ability to focus.
• Importance of Physical Activity for Children and Youth – Position statement from the Governor of Michigan on the value of exercise to reduce chronic disease and improve the quality of life for children in Michigan.
• Physical Activity and Children – Information from the American Heart Association on the value of exercise and activity for kids.

Playing organized sports has been shown to have a number of benefits for young children. Children can start participating in organized sports from the age of five or six. Unstructured physical activities, such as running or dancing, are ideal for kids under the age of five. The most popular sports for kids over the age of five include baseball or softball, and soccer. Popular indoor sports include volleyball and basketball. When picking a sport for a young child, it's important that the child have fun playing it, or else they won't benefit.

T-Ball is a game related to baseball that's designed for young kids, between the ages of four and eight. The ball is propped on a "t" instead of being thrown to the batter. Each player on the team gets a chance to hit the bat before the teams switch. Unlike baseball or softball, each t-ball game usually lasts for four innings. The focus of t-ball is teaching kids skills, not on winning.

• Benefits of Sports for Kids – An article and podcast from the University of Florida explaining the numerous benefits of playing sports for children.
• Sport and Children – Article from the Better Health Channel listing the benefits of sports and activity for kids. The article also includes tips on playing sports safely and information on the more popular sports for boys and girls.
• 8 Life Lessons from the Field – "Woman's Day" lists eight lessons kids have learning playing a sport.
• What Are the Benefits of Sport? – A list from the BBC of the various physical and social benefits for kids who play sports.
• Go Out and Play (PDF) – An comprehensive study from the Women's Sports Foundation examining the benefits of sports for children as well as role families, schools and the community play in encouraging kids to participate in sports.
• Sports and Kids: A Pathway to Healthy Development or to Unhealthy Competition? – An interview with a sports psychologist from the NYU Child Study Center on the positive impact of participating in sports, as well as the potential risks if parents and children are not careful.
• Finding Your Child's Inner Athlete – Advice for parents from WebMD on ways to encourage kids to participate in sports.
• Playing Several Sports Keeps Kids Slimmer – Report stating that teenagers who play three or more sports are less likely to have weight problems.
• Children and Sports: Choices for All Ages – A guide to age-appropriate sports from the Mayo Clinic.
• Rules for T-ball – A description of the rules for T-ball.
• Safety Tips for Soccer – Tips on playing soccer safely from Kids Health.
• Volleyball Rules (PDF) – The rules of volleyball explained in clear, simple language.
• Basketball – A description of basketball and its rules, from "Time for Kids."
• Basic Field Hockey Rules – The rules for field hockey.
• Motion Commotion – A quiz from the Centers for Disease Control to help kids pick the sports that best match their personality.