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Youth Week (18th to 24th May 2026) is a national festival of events organised by young New Zealanders.
Youth Week aims to amplify young people’s valuable contributions to their communities by supporting them to design, deliver and evaluate all aspects of the week. We want Aotearoa to be a country where young people are vibrant and optimistic and are supported and encouraged to take up challenges.
Events are designed to encourage young people to take on challenges, share ideas and focus on the positive aspects of being young. The week also recognises the youth workers, youth service providers and others working with and for young people.
Find out more about Youth Week.
Youth Week is also a good time to take a look at the role physical activity plays in helping young people stay healthy and well.
High levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour and sufficient sleep each day achieves greater health benefits for school-aged children and young people (aged 5 to 17 years).
Young people need to be active at home, at school, at play during the weekends and in the community. They should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity each day according to the Ministry of Health.
Enjoyment and fun are key drivers. Playing sport can be a good way to encourage regular physical activity, as can participating in structured and unstructured light physical activities.
Activities like cycling, skate-boarding, play frisbee with friends, rock climbing, dancing, going to a local swimming pool, or shooting baskets, are all good options. Parents and caregivers can support their children by providing equipment, transportation, and companionship. Peers can play an influential role in teens' lives, so create opportunities for them to be active with their friends.
Getting out into nature is another great way to promote wellbeing. A number of recent international surveys found that fewer children are experiencing nature directly, with the majority of children playing indoors more often than out.
It can be challenging to meet the Ministry of Health guidelines. The key is to set small goals and make changes gradually. Here are some ideas you might like to try:
- Provide opportunities for your children to be physically active every day - with play, cultural events, dance, sports, creative games around the house, household chores, and getting around (such as riding a bike to school, walking to a friend's house, scooting or skateboarding to the dairy).
- Try a range of activities to discover the ones that your child likes most. Encourage your child in every activity and offer positive feedback.
- Engage in physical activity as a family and let every family member have a turn in choosing an activity to try.
- Limit your child's screen time (TV, mobile phone, video games, movies) to under 2 hours a day. Try to inspire children to be active in a range of ways and as much as possible.
- Be a role model as your children look up to you. If you're physically active every day, this will most likely rub off on your children and make them more active too.