What are 10 healthy habits for children?

Kids are not complicated to train, they just need love, patience and correct approach to mould them into a healthy growing happy children.

Let’s learn 10 Healthy Habits for Children:

1. Let Them Be Bored

Yes! You heard exactly right. When your kids feel bored don’t just push them to TV or Videogames. Encourage them to use their creativity and entertain themselves. This feeling can make them build forts out of couch cushion, put on shows for invisible audiences, and may also lead them to develop their hobbies like drawing, music, dancing, etc. But the most important thing is they learn that happiness doesn’t always come from a screen or a schedule.

2. Make Food Fun, Not Fussy

Kids don’t like getting forced, so if you are forcing your kids to eat those veggies and healthy meals you are doing it wrong. Make food interesting for the kids play rainbow game like : ” How many colors can we eat today?” Also kids love to participate in adult chores let them help in the kitchen. Yes, it’s messier and it takes longer but the kid who helps make the salad is way more likely to eat it. 

3. Water is Your Superpower

Encourage your kids to drink enough water. Purchase them a fun, cute bottle that encourages them to use it more and keeps them hydrated. This is a great trick as it even works on adults.

Don’t completely neglect them from soda or juices but make the difference between them very clear and make water their Superhero.

4. Move Your Bodies Together

Exercise isn’t about “working out” for kids it’s about playing and moving with them. Make these movements fun that kids start to love doing it like dancing in the living room to their favorite song, racing to the mailbox, seeing who can jump the highest, walk the dog together or see who can do the silliest yoga pose. When exercise feels like play, it stops being a chore.

5. Bedtime Routines that actually work

Keep the bedtime routine consistent. Sleep is very important for overall growth and development. A consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, makes mornings smoother and moods sunnier.

Some nights, the routine may go out the window but that’s okay too. Tomorrow’s another chance.

6. Screen Time Without the Guilt

Boundaries are kinder than bans. If you completely ban your kids from doing something they are likely to be unhappy and angry with you. Set a timing for TV or video games, let them watch their favourite show or play their favourite game for some time. Fun and Enjoyment is very important for growth of a happy individual, don’t restrict them but don’t let them over do.

7. Get Outside Every Day

Even if just for 15 minutes, even if it’s raining (boots exist for a reason). Fresh air resets everything moods, energy levels, perspectives. Encourage your kids to play outdoor games and play in playgrounds. Playing outside not only makes them excercise and good in physical training but also boosts their immunity.

Just keep one firm rule unless there’s lightning or truly terrible weather, we go outside. Sometimes it’s just walking around the block. Sometimes it’s hunting for the perfect stick or smooth edge stone. It always helps.

8. Be real about Feelings

Health isn’t just about bodies it’s about hearts too. So we practice kindness and talk about feelings both ours and their. For example you may convey that when they disobeyed or talked back at you how bad you fell, you can even say sorry if you have scolded them. Make it work both ways.

You can read books about feelings and remind each other that all feelings are okay it’s what we do with them that matters.

9. Practice Kindness 

The Magic of “Please,” “Thank You,” and “I’m Sorry”. Kindness is a habit. Model genuine gratitude and apologize when you make a mistake. When children learn that respect and empathy are non-negotiable, they carry it into the playground, the classroom, and eventually, the world.

You can also lead them by teaching basic manners such as holding the door for someone, drawing a picture for a neighbor, asking “how can I help?” Or if everything’s fine when someone seems sad.

10. The Power of “We Tried Our Best”

In a world focused on results, teach them to value effort. Praise the hard work they put into a drawing, not just the final product. Celebrate the courage it took to try out for the team, regardless of the outcome. This builds a “growth mindset,” helping them see challenges as opportunities to learn, not just to win.

If you just value the result they will stop participating after a failure just in fear of leading you to disappointment again.

Don’t try to implement all ten habits at once. Pick one that feels right for your family and start there. The goal is to weave these threads slowly into the fabric of your daily life.
Healthy habits grow through love, consistency, and everyday choices. And with the support of a trusted GP for kids Chermside, you can feel confident that your child’s health is always in caring hands.