Olympians and celeb parents at launch of national child exercise campaign
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is launching a national campaign called 'Let's Move'
A government campaign to get more children moving has been launched in Harlow, with Olympic medallists and celebrity parents in attendance.
Sporting legends Max Whitlock and Beth Tweddle, and Love Island stars Olivia and Alex Bowen were in Harlow to encourage physical activity.
The NHS recommends that children get 60 minutes of physical activity every day, with new research suggesting that the majority of parents underestimate how much movement kids should get.
The new national campaign includes trials in parts of Essex, Bradford, Blackpool and Sandwell - and it's hoping to get more children meeting their required physical activity needs.
Max Whitlock, Olympic gold medallist said that he had fun at the event, and said the campaign is "massively important."
"Everyone knows the endless benefits there are for children moving about.
"Trying to get those 60 minutes in a day, it can sometimes feel a bit daunting. But actually breaking it down and realising its just simple movements.
"It's not about doing all these high level moves, it doesn't have to be a sports club.
"It can be just fun at home, fun in the garden, going for a walk."
"For me personally, we are a sporty family, and we are lucky for that, I've been doing gymnastics for 24/25 years, so a long time.
"For me it is instilling habits from a young age.
"I think your children reflect what you do and they mirror that.
"My little girl Willow, she is 6 years old, I can't keep her still. Which is a great thing."
Beth Tweddle, Olympic bronze medallist, and mum of two, said:
"We want to give children and their families ideas to get active.
"You can just have fun, in the house, in the garden, at the park, and we have just been giving loads of ideas."
One idea was "household chaos."
"I think every adult has seen their house in a mess and what challenge can you set your children to get it tidied away?
"And it's not just about doing the traditional sports. Its about doing lots and lots of different activities, in the household. It doesn't need to cost lots of money and you don't need loads of space to be able to do it."
The event had parents and children taking part in various activities. From collecting and tidying away socks, to target practice with bean bags.
Jason Fergus, Director of Active Essex, said it was "absolutely wonderful" and "so important" to be taking place.
"The benefits are just huge, so I am delighted that we are here today, spreading those benefits, and really enthusing people to become more active.
"As a family, these are all things that you can do together, and we all know that family time is so important and precious.
"It's absolutely wonderful to welcome celebrities, for us they give you that extra endorsement, saying actually this is really important and it matters."
In attendance were also Love Island stars Olivia and Alex Bowen said that it was important to make activity fun and accessible.
Alex said: "We are very active people, so we kind of incorporate it into our day to day life.
"Our toddler is absolutely mental, he is always running around and having fun."
Olivia said: "We have to get creative, although he tries to follow you to the gym he isn't quite the age yet.
"He plays 'Floor is Lava' and runs around the house, so this is a really cool day for us as well.
"It's lots of fun, and to see parents getting involved, and the kids getting involved, and them all getting ideas that they can take home.
"As someone who is born and bred in Essex it is really important to me that all families are doing things that are accessible, and that are fun, and that are easy.
"I think it's hard over the Winter to get out with the cold weather.
"So making sure that everyone in Essex is happy and thriving, and having fun in a way that is really accessible is really important to me."
"It is really nice to see everyone having fun."