Change4Life's annual 10 Minute Shake Up campaign aims to get children more active by playing games inspired by characters from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 and Disney’s Frozen and The Lion King.
There is also a new online quiz to help children and their parents find activities and sports that might be perfect for them to try, based on their skills and abilities.
The 10 Minute Shake Up campaign, supported by Public Health England and Sport England, is designed to get youngsters taking part in short, regular bouts of physical activity. It includes a range of games which can be played in small or large groups of friends for 10 minutes at a time.
Together, they will help children get more of the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day for healthy development and to maintain a healthy weight.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The 10 Minute Shake Up is a great way for children, young people and their parents to enjoy regular, short bursts of physical activity in the company of some of their favourite Disney and Pixar characters and shows.
“I’d encourage families to sign up to this year’s campaign and get active this summer.”
A survey from Change4Life and Disney UK found that less than half of parents in the West Midlands are aware that physical activity can build children’s self confidence, reduce anxiety, improve their self esteem and help develop attributes which make it easier to cope with life’s little set backs.
Despite health chiefs recommending that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, just 20% of boys and 14% of girls in the West Midlands meet this target.
David Elliott, Health and Wellbeing Programme Manager at PHE West Midlands, said: "Levels of childhood obesity are unacceptably high in the West Midlands with just over 37% of Year 6 pupils overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. Physical activity is not only beneficial to losing weight but improves self confidence and mental health.
“Breaking up the 60 minutes of physical activity that children need each day into 10 minute bursts with their favourite characters is more appealing and manageable for children and parents alike.”
For more information, please visit 10 Minute Shake Up games.
