FAMILIES are being urged to make ‘enjoyment’ the biggest factor in getting their children to be active.

Cumbria County Council and Active Cumbria say that enjoyment is the main motivator which encourages children to be active.

Figures show that only around one in five children in Cumbria are active every day.

The two organisations have supported the latest Change4Life campaign from Public Health England and Disney.

The campaign is encouraging children to play 10 Minute Shake Up games inspired by favourite characters from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2; and Disney’s Frozen and The Lion King.

Richard Johnston, of Active Cumbria said: “The new Disney-inspired Shake Up games provide just that. The activities are easy to follow, and take just 10 minutes, they’re delivered in a fun and engaging way for children to follow using a wide variety of Disney characters.”

To keep the kids busy this summer with free 10 Minute Shake Up games from Change4Life with Disney, search ‘Change4Life’ or go to www.nhs.uk/change4life.

FAMILIES are being urged to make ‘enjoyment’ the biggest factor in getting their children to be active.

Cumbria County Council and Active Cumbria say that enjoyment is the main motivator which encourages children to be active.

Figures show that only around one in five children in Cumbria are active every day.

The two organisations have supported the latest Change4Life campaign from Public Health England and Disney.

The campaign is encouraging children to play 10 Minute Shake Up games inspired by favourite characters from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2; and Disney’s Frozen and The Lion King.

Richard Johnston, of Active Cumbria said: “The new Disney-inspired Shake Up games provide just that. The activities are easy to follow, and take just 10 minutes, they’re delivered in a fun and engaging way for children to follow using a wide variety of Disney characters.”

To keep the kids busy this summer with free 10 Minute Shake Up games from Change4Life with Disney, search ‘Change4Life’ or go to www.nhs.uk/change4life.

A recent survey from Public Health England found almost 2 in 3 children (65%) in the North West would be inspired to be more physically active if they saw their favourite characters being active. What’s more, over 80% of parents think that kids are likely to enjoy sports and physical activities if they’re fun and more than 50% of children agree that this helps.

Evidence shows that children and young people who are more active have more confidence, higher self-esteem, less anxiety and stress and better social skills - attributes that can help them deal with the challenges they face in daily life. Positive attitudes towards physical activity have also been associated with children being happier.

Councillor Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said:

“We all want our children to be healthy and happy and that’s why I’m a big supporter of this latest campaign from Change4Life and Disney.

“The campaign really shows how physical activity can be fun and the new 10 minute shake up games can help to get kids moving which will count towards the 60 active minutes they need every day.”

This year marks the sixth year that PHE and Disney have worked together to inspire children to move more, with almost two million children taking part in last year’s campaign.

Change4Life has also launched a new online quiz to help children, with their parents, find activities and sports that might be perfect for them to try, based on their skills and abilities.

Active Cumbria urges families in Cumbria to try new sports and physical activities this summer, whether at home, a local park, leisure centre or through sports clubs and organised events. Find activities at www.activecumbria.org