Getting children to move more can be surprisingly difficult today. Schoolwork, screens, hot weather and busy family schedules can make staying indoors the easier choice, even when kids have plenty of energy to burn.
A recent conversation on The Bare It All Podcast explored why active play no longer seems to happen as naturally as it did for previous generations. Hosted by Dani Barretto, the discussion with Nikki Gil and nutrition expert Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa looked at what happens when children spend less time moving and what parents can realistically do about it.
The answer isn't necessarily to eliminate screens or schedule another activity every afternoon. In many cases, creating opportunities for movement, making healthy routines visible and giving children some freedom to choose how they play may be a more sustainable place to start.
Why are kids moving less today?
The podcast discussion cited DOST-FNRI data indicating that 77.5% of Filipino adolescents do not get enough physical activity.
That figure was used in the conversation to illustrate a broader concern: movement may no longer be a built-in part of childhood.
Barretto recalled a childhood when neighborhood play happened almost automatically. Children went outside, played with friends and eventually returned home when it was time to eat.
Today's children have a very different range of options.
Entertainment is available instantly through phones, tablets, gaming devices and streaming services. Parents may also have concerns about outdoor safety, while hot weather can make physical activity less appealing.
Then there is school.
After a full day of classes, homework and other responsibilities, some children may simply feel too tired to play outside.
As Nikki Gil put it during the conversation, physical activity is no longer necessarily automatic. For many families, it has to be intentionally built into the day.
How can parents encourage kids to play more?
The good news is that physical activity does not have to mean signing children up for another structured class.
Sometimes, the simplest approach is to create a little space for unstructured play.
Nikki shared the idea of temporarily removing entertainment options and allowing children to decide what comes next. Without a screen immediately available, children may naturally gravitate toward toys, games or physical play.
That doesn't mean screens need to disappear completely.
Instead, parents can create regular transitions between sitting and moving.
Some simple ideas include:
- Taking a short walk after dinner
- Playing ball or tag outdoors
- Letting children help with age-appropriate household tasks
- Dancing together to a few favorite songs
- Visiting a playground or swimming pool
- Trying a new sport without making it competitive
- Taking regular movement breaks during homework or screen time
- Allowing children to choose between several active activities
The goal is to make movement feel like part of everyday life rather than another obligation.
Should parents ban screen time?
Not necessarily.
The podcast conversation also acknowledged that technology can have positive uses. Barretto shared that screens had helped her daughter learn about words, emotions and self-expression.
That distinction matters.
The question isn't simply whether children use technology. It is what role screens play in the overall rhythm of the day.
A child can enjoy educational content, video calls or entertainment and still need opportunities for physical activity, face-to-face interaction and imaginative play.
For parents, that means looking at the whole routine rather than treating screen time as the single problem.
If a child spends time on a tablet but also walks, plays outside, participates in sports and interacts socially, the picture is different from a routine dominated by sitting and passive entertainment.
Why does movement matter beyond physical fitness?
Physical activity is often discussed in terms of weight and fitness, but its role in childhood development is broader.
Dr. Agdeppa explained during the podcast that insufficient movement can affect children's physical development and muscle development. She also connected activity with areas such as concentration, school performance and social development.
These points are consistent with the broader understanding that children need regular physical activity as part of healthy growth and development.
The key is to avoid turning exercise into a punishment for eating or a way to control a child's weight.
For young children especially, movement can simply be about developing coordination, strength, confidence and enjoyment.
Running, climbing, swimming, jumping, dancing and playing games all provide opportunities to practice physical skills.
What role does food play in active childhood?
Movement is only one part of a child's daily routine.
Nutrition provides the energy and nutrients children need for growth, learning and activity. That makes regular meals and snacks an important part of establishing healthy habits.
During the podcast, Dr. Agdeppa emphasized the connection between nutrition and physical activity. Barretto also talked about familiar family foods, including Cheez Whiz, which she said her family uses in meals such as baked macaroni and school sandwiches.
For parents, convenience can matter.
A lunchbox that a child will actually eat is often more practical than an elaborate meal that comes home untouched.
The better goal is to build meals and snacks around a variety of nutritious foods while keeping preparation realistic for the family's schedule.
Are parents the most important role models?
Perhaps the most practical message from the conversation was that children notice what adults do.
Telling a child to put down a tablet while remaining glued to a phone sends a mixed message.
Nikki's observation was straightforward: parents cannot simply lecture children into developing habits that adults do not model themselves.
That can mean taking a family walk instead of telling a child to exercise, eating meals together instead of talking about nutrition, or putting devices away during certain parts of the day.
Dr. Agdeppa similarly encouraged parents to eat and move together with their children.
For families, this turns healthy behavior from a set of instructions into something children experience as part of normal life.
What does "active play" look like for today's families?
It doesn't have to look like the childhood many parents remember.
Not every family has a large yard or a safe neighborhood where children can roam freely. Some live in condominiums, deal with extreme heat or rain, or have parents working long hours.
Active play can therefore happen in different ways.
A living room dance session, a trip to the mall that includes walking, a weekend swim, an afternoon at the playground or a few minutes of movement between homework tasks can all add up.
The important part is creating opportunities for children to move regularly.
And perhaps that's the most useful lesson for parents: you don't have to recreate your own childhood to give your children an active one.
Start with what is realistic for your family.
Put the tablet away for a little while. Turn on some music. Walk around the neighborhood. Let your child choose a game. Make a sandwich together. Try something neither of you has done before.
Sometimes, helping children do more begins by simply giving them the opportunity to move.