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She really liked that Jermaine took time to coach the kids about how to play and taught them some basics like dribbling, moving their feet, and shooting. She thought it would be great if it was actually a Raptors player teaching the kids to play, and is hoping that she might get coached by a … Continued

Most people think of libraries as places for quiet contemplation. But it turns out libraries today are not just places where people can go to read and check out books—they’re increasingly becoming community hubs where families can access a wide variety of activities and resources to be physically and mentally active. In this month’s podcast, Active … Continued

When the weather cooperates, it’s a good time to start thinking about how to get our kids to school. Recently, there’s been a significant push for active school travel (AST). Programs are popping up across Canada to identify routes and educate students and their parents on safe active transportation. In Alberta, Ever Active Schools has … Continued

There’s an excitement in the air every time we tell students there’s an upcoming sports tournament. The schoolyard is filled with students in grades four to six practicing during recess to get ready for the tryouts. Typically, there are over 60 students trying out for one team. Most elementary school teams have 15 players on … Continued

Teaching a child to ride a bike must be one of the toughest activities. It certainly has been in our house. “Parent fail” reverberates in my head when my daughter tearfully says she doesn’t want to ride her bike. We started with a pedal-less strider bike, which was great for her to learn to balance … Continued

Your child gets ready to jump from the monkey bars and you get ready for a trip to the hospital. Is this a reasonable reaction? Unless there’s a pit of poisonous serpents or a bed of nails below, probably not. As Dr. Mariana Brussoni of the University of British Columbia points out, statistics show that … Continued

The Ability Toolkit: A Resource for Parents of Children and Youth with a Disability is an information booklet intended to aid parents in helping children of all abilities to meet the physical activity recommendations of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The toolkit explains the guidelines, provides advice for modifying physical activities to make them more … Continued

Across Canada, parks are adding BMX tracks and pump tracks to appeal to older and more adventurous kids. But these features aren’t only fun for big kids. Even children as young as three years old can develop the fundamental movement skills they need to master a balance bike on the track, with a little help … Continued

This past spring, revelations around the college admissions scandal in the U.S. drew attention to the efforts parents will make to ensure their children do not “fail.” While the elaborate system of bribery and corruption mostly concerned families of above-average means, it still led to broader discussion in the media around parents over-protecting and over-managing … Continued

Keep your kids moving and learning with games like these, and they’ll return to the classroom in the fall with happy memories and sharp minds.

A new free multisport program in Nova Scotia is helping more Cape Breton Island children develop physical literacy while learning how to play various sports. Capers in the Community launched this summer and is being offered at no cost in towns throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). The four-day camp gives children ages five to … Continued

If you’re anything like us, you want your family to live an active lifestyle. Maybe you have a workout routine at the gym, register your kids in a few sports, or take advantage of the summer by biking, swimming, and hiking. But when it’s vacation time, it’s all too easy for healthy habits to fall … Continued

Basketball united us for several weeks in May and June, leaving an indelible impact on people across the country. “We The North” was a rallying cry for every Canadian to celebrate an amazing sports story, an incredible story of teamwork, and an opportunity to showcase the diversity, not just of the Raptors, but of Canada. … Continued

Earlier this year, my wife and I wanted to plan an outdoor birthday party for our four-year-old. We decided to organize it at our local beach, Petrie Island, in Ottawa. We contacted Friends of Petrie Island, an organization responsible for educating the public about the importance of nature, preservation, and ecology. It also helps organize … Continued

Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 19, 2025. As parents, we want to give our children every opportunity to succeed and live a life that is healthy, happy, and active. Enrolling our children in sport and physical activity programs provides a multitude of mental, physical, and social benefits. But, on occasion, the benefits … Continued

At first, the concept doesn’t seem groundbreaking: Help kids play and enjoy sports. But, as a recent New York Times op-ed points out, Norway’s approach to youth and sport is different because it really puts children, and their priorities, at its centre. In the article, Tom Farrey explores how the country places value on kids’ … Continued

Research indicates that gross motor skills are a major predictor of a child’s school readiness. In essence they reflect “brain skills,” yet many parents and caregivers overlook their importance. When infants and toddlers move their arms, legs, and other large body parts with large muscle groups, they are developing their gross motor skills. However, studies … Continued

Here are some helpful ways to keep your budget in check and still have fun with your children over the summer months.

Risky play can be an intimidating concept for parents and caregivers to try to implement with their children. How much risk is too much? How can play remain safe? Dr. Mariana Brussoni recognizes the dilemma. In fact, she’s an expert on the subject. Her research focuses on caregivers’ perceptions of risk and safety when it … Continued

We don’t sell commercial ad space on Active for Life, but once in a while, we recognize advertising campaigns that promote important messages. This is the case with the Visa ad campaign developed for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which started earlier this month. The campaign video shows a series of female soccer players … Continued

Indigenous nations and groups have diverse histories, traditions, and cultures—as well as games. This is one way non-Indigenous children can learn more about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

With the Toronto Raptors’ deep run in the NBA playoffs, and now a franchise-first NBA championship, everyone in Canada is talking basketball. And as often happens when the “home” team finds success, kids everywhere want to start playing and emulating their heroes. Jr. NBA Basketball is now making it easier than ever to get the … Continued

Physical education (PE) and gym class are often used as synonyms. It’s an easy mistake to make because, stereotypically, many PE classes are all about playing sports in the gym. But the truth is the gymnasium is only one of the many locations used to teach physical education. Doing PE differently Sports are great and … Continued

Becoming a father is a life-changing event. Our children look up to us and part of our responsibility is to keep them safe and healthy. Almost four years ago, my wife gave me the best gift possible: a baby girl. Since then, it’s become my mission to raise a gutsy and brave girl. As a … Continued