I was a horrible child athlete, the second to worst player on my elementary school softball team. During a 6th grade basketball game, I think I made a basket for the other team, too. Despite my lack of talent with hand-eye coordination, I was an active child. I spent many years participating in track-and-field and dance lessons. Though decades have passed since my childhood, I’m still excited to run races and take dance classes. Knowing that kids today are often immersed in video games and constantly connected to gadgets, I hope to instill my life-long love of fitness to my son. Being a role model is key, so I do my best to create family fun and fit opportunities throughout the year. Also, a wonderful way to reinforce a world filled with personal interaction and teamwork is by surrounding him with stories of exercise, activities and team sports so that he can make his own connections. Below is my list of children’s books with a focus on an active lifestyle. I’ve read most of these and received recommendations for the others from my favorite local librarian.
50 Children’s Books that Promote Fitness (4-7 years old)
Favorite Characters
1. Elephants Cannot Dance, Watch me Throw the Ball by Mo Willems
2. Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious George Goes Fishing, Curious George at the Baseball Game by H. A. Rey
3. Angelina Ballerina Ice Skates by Katharine Holabird
4. Clifford’s Field Day by Norma Bridwell
5. Dora Plays Sports by Alison Inches
6. Jake and the Never Land Pirates Surfin’ Turf by Melinda LaRose
7. Babar’s Yoga for Elephants by Laurent de Brunhoff
8. The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team by Stan and Jan Berenstain
9. Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
10. Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins
Picture Books
11. Dino-Basketball, Dino-Baseball and Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler
12. Mooses Come Walking by Arlo Guthrie
13. Ladybug Girl Plays by Jacky Davis
14. Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
15. Spot Loves Sports by Eric Hill
16. Froggy Plays Soccer, Froggy Plays T-ball by Jonathan London
17. The Magic Hockey Stick by Peter Maloney
18. Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best
19. Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer
20. Mitchell Goes Bowling by Hallie Duran
21. First Sail: An Adventure Story Designed to Help New Sailors Learn the Ropes by Richard Henderson
22. Stretch by Doreen Cronin and Scott Menchin
Pictures Books with a Deeper Message
23. Zach Gets Some Exercise by Sarah, Duchess of York
24. Hamster Camp – How Harry Got Fit by Teresa Bateman
25. Winner’s Never Quit by Mia Hamm
26. Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki
27. Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey
28. Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Olympic Gold by Deloris Jordan
29. Get Up and Go! by Nancy Carlson
30. You can Do It! by Tony Dungy
Favorite Teams/Favorite Players
31. Yankee Town Featuring Robbie the Rookie by Aimee Aryal
32. Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares
33. ABCs of Baseball by Peter Goelenbock
Early/Emerging Readers
34. Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
35. Magic Treehouse #16 – Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osbourne
36. The Littlest Leaguer by Syd Hoff
37. Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman
38. Flat Stanley at Bat by Jeff Brown and Macky Pamintuan
39. Tae Kwon Do! by Terry Pierce and Todd Bonita
40. Lily’s Lucky Leotard (a first graphic novel) by Cari Meister
41. Kick, Pass, and Run by Leonard Kessler
42. I want to be a Gymnast by Kate Simkins
43. To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel & Mark Siegel
Early Reader Non-Fiction
44. Basketball is Fun by Robin Nelson
45. Let’s Talk Baseball by Janice Behrens & Let’s Talk Basketball by Amanda Miller
46. Fishing by Julie K. Lundgren
47. Keeping Fit by Emily K. Green
48. National Geographic Readers: Race Day! by Gail Tuchman
49. Cheerleading by Holly Karapetkova
50. Cool Skateboarding Facts by Sandy Donovan and Gail Saunders-Smith, PhD
Please help grow this list and add your favorite stories about sports, fitness or energetic activities in the comment section below. We’re a baseball family, love to root on the Yankees and all our local Little League teams, too. Here are some of our favorite baseball books.
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Love the post- I remember always being the last kid picked in PE for a team :) I’ll stick to art.
I know in my school kids are getting geared up for Field Day (or Color Day) depending on the school.
Great fun outdoor activity to recreate with the kids this summer- your own Family Field Day! Remember how fun it was back in the day
I loved school Field Days. I remember celebrating after the Presidential Physical Fitness awards. I don’t think the PPF testing exists anymore, rather a new initiative – Move it. I’m curious how it makes fitness fun for those who are not athletic or don’t like sports. :) Maybe they have a trampoline art class?
Fancy Nancy and the mean girl is another great addition to this list. For all us non-athletic people, it focuses on trying our hardest and that you don’t have to win to have fun. It also teaches good sportsmanship.
I love it. I know that my 5-yo thinks he should win at everything he does/plays, so this lesson is very very relevant and necessary. Thanks.
Ha! It’s like subliminal messaging!
GiGi Eats recently posted…I Want Labels… Do You?
TOTALLY. I love to surround my kid with all sorts of healthy messaging. I actually do it to my husband, too.
This is awesome! Pinned! I am still a horrible athlete. I run, but it’s not pretty. Team sports? Eeek! But we have to keep moving!
Jen recently posted…What Your Child’s Teacher Wants You To Know
That’s great that you have started running. My knees start to act up when I run, but I try every now and then. I have a friend who walks marathons. I actually would love to do the Disney Princess half. There is something about glitter and tutus that make me happy…and I would love to run through the Magic Kingdom in them.
This book teaches children yoga basics in a fun, interactive format by explaining how yoga was introduced to Celesteville, and how Babar and Queen Celeste keep fit doing yoga on their many travels.
I love it. I used to enjoy when my parents read Babar books to me. Now, as a parent, I seek out books so that characters can be positive active living role-models for kids. This is great.
What a great list! I love that there are so many with different characters and different focuses. There really is a book that every child can connect with!
Elizabeth (Rock-A-Bye Parents) recently posted…Letters To My Son – September 2015
Thanks. We had so much fun creating this list, too. I should write a new one for an older age bracket. We’re starting to get into chapter books now, too.
Whoa, this is a really well-compiled list of books that encourage kids to get and stay active! It’s really important for little ones to understand how valuable fitness and exercise is to their health, and these books are all great for spiking their interest! Great list! Thanks so much for posting!
Thank you for the kind words. I agree, it’s really important at a young age to inspire kids to be healthy. Books, puppet shows and kiddie videos are a great way to encourage them to be fit, active and enjoy sports later in life.
Wow! This is a good list of book to support children stay and get active. It is really useful for children to know how important fitness and exercise to their health . Thank you for your post.
Linda Ngo recently posted…All Terrain KneeRover Steerable Knee Scooter Blue Review
Thanks. We had a ton of fun compiling the list, too. I’m working on one for older kids, too. Stay tuned.
Hey, great share…..
This is an amazing list. Physical inactivity has become a serious problem these days. These books are definitely going to play a significant role in promoting health and wellness among children and adolescents.
Thanks for sharing this post. Keep sharing more….
Cheers!!
Thanks for the kind words. I’m working on another book list for older kids. Any favorites for kids 6-9 years old with a hint toward healthy activities?
This list of culturally diverse books to read, savour and recommend is a joyous celebration of the 50 most fabulous books for children of all ages living in multiracial, multicultural UK today.
Thank you very much for your kind words. We had so much fun creating this list. I’m working on a similar post, but with books for 6-9 year olds. Think chapter books…Any good finds or recommendations?
Wow! Thank you for sharing this! I agree, physical activities is a must for kids. Obesity has become one of the most common problems with teenagers nowadays.
Keep sharing, and kudos to this blog!
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed the 50 Children’s Books post. I’m working on another one for the next age bracket 6-9 year olds. Any suggestions? Happy Friday.
My daughter enjoys reading the stories with characters that she recognizes in them. Since she has read several of the Froggy books or Curious George she relates to them more. So when introducing something new to her, like trying new sports, I see if I can find books with those characters. Thank you for this great list!
That is a GREAT strategy. Does she like the Dr. Seuss characters? One of my favorite overall wellness books includes the Cat in the Hat. “Oh the Things You Can Do That Are Good For You.” Happy New Year.
Awesome list! Thank you for sharing them. <3
Thanks. I’m glad you liked the list. Happy New Year.
When your child enjoys a sport and wants to do better, how can you help them to remain motivated without being overbearing?
Thanks for reaching out. I think you lose a great question and the answer is different for everyone. When my son enjoys a sport, I try and play with him to help him improve but also have others do it. We have a local high school athlete “babysit” him and play outside. They have fun while also improve on their skills together.
Great Post! February may be American Heart Month , but really — getting kids to move and love exercise is always in season! Learning about exercise doesn’t have to be a lecture — make it fun with these engaging children’s books encouraging exercise and physical fitness!
Sharon Smith recently posted…Alica Schmidt
I’m so glad you loved the list. Feel free to add more if you have any favorites.
This article help me. Thank your for sharing.
You are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Caryn Sullivan,
Great Job here on your website You know what? I read a lot of blog post and I never heard of a topic like this. I love this topic.
Please never mind, I’ve written a post on the subject of the watch shop You can read mine also. See ya later.
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This is an absolute great post. Thanks, we are looking for books for our upcoming child that promote being active and understanding how important exercise is. This is perfect.
Ben recently posted…Rib Fracture: The Best Braces for Rib Fractures and Bruised Ribs
Thanks Ben. I LOVED putting together this post. Our kids need healthy role models and characters in books can be that for them. Happy healthy weekend.