Health and Body for Kids
Looking after your body and mind helps you learn, play and grow. These lessons cover healthy food, exercise, sleep, hygiene, feelings and first aid, with simple explanations, everyday tips and a quiz for each topic. Always check health questions with a parent, guardian or doctor.
All 118 Health and Body topics
Healthy Eating
A balanced diet includes fruit, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy.
Exercise
Being active for at least 60 minutes a day makes your heart, bones and muscles strong.
Sleep
Kids aged 9–12 need about 9–12 hours of sleep.
Washing Hands
Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds to remove germs, especially before eating and after the toilet.
Dental Care
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss daily.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment.
Understanding Feelings
All feelings are okay, including anger and sadness.
Basic First Aid
For a small cut, clean it with water and cover it with a plaster.
Drinking Water
Your body is about 60% water.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals help your body grow and fight illness.
Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats
Carbs give quick energy, proteins build and repair muscles, and fats store energy and protect organs.
Fibre
Fibre in fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps your digestion and keeps you feeling full.
Sugar
Too much sugar can cause tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain.
Why Breakfast Matters
Breakfast gives you energy after a night without food and helps you concentrate at school.
Germs
Germs are tiny living things like bacteria and viruses that can make us sick.
Vaccines
Vaccines train your immune system to recognise germs safely so you are protected against serious diseases.
Sun Safety
Too much sun can burn your skin.
Allergies
An allergy is when the body overreacts to something harmless like pollen, peanuts or pet hair.
Growing and Changing
As you grow up, your body changes.
Managing Stress
Stress is a feeling of pressure.
Stretching and Flexibility
Stretching keeps muscles flexible and helps prevent injuries.
Protecting Your Hearing
Loud noise can damage the tiny hair cells in your ears.
Eye Care
Protect your eyes by not staring at screens too long, reading in good light, wearing sunglasses outdoors and having regular eye tests.
Healthy Snacks
Healthy snacks include fruit, yoghurt, nuts (if not allergic), carrot sticks and wholegrain crackers.
Medicine Safety
Only take medicine given by a parent, doctor or trusted adult.
Body Hygiene
Washing daily, brushing teeth, wearing clean clothes and trimming nails help you stay healthy and fresh.
Warm-up and Cool-down
A warm-up gently prepares muscles before exercise and a cool-down helps your body relax afterwards.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself.
Staying Cool in Hot Weather
In hot weather drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, rest in the shade and never stay in a parked car.
Posture
Posture is the way you hold your body when sitting, standing or walking.
Sitting Less
Sitting for long periods can make your body stiff.
Heart Health
Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood around your body.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels.
Coughs and Sneezes
Coughs and sneezes can spread germs through the air.
Bones and Calcium
Bones are strong and grow throughout childhood.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is an illness caused by a virus that causes an itchy red rash of spots.
Colds and Flu
Colds and flu are common illnesses caused by viruses.
Concussion Safety
A concussion is a mild brain injury usually caused by a knock to the head.
Calories
A calorie is a unit that measures how much energy food provides.
Rainbow of Fruit and Vegetables
Eating a range of coloured fruits and vegetables gives your body different vitamins and minerals.
Gratitude
Gratitude means noticing and appreciating the good things in your life.
Laughter
Laughing releases feel-good chemicals in the brain and can help reduce stress.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises help you calm down by slowing your breaths.
Relaxation
Relaxation helps your body and mind rest after a busy day.
Foot Care
Caring for your feet means keeping them clean and dry, wearing comfortable shoes and checking for blisters or cuts.
Hair Care
Looking after your hair means washing it regularly with gentle shampoo, brushing gently and keeping it dry.
Skin Care
Skin protects your body from germs and changes in temperature.
Nail Care
Clean and trimmed nails help prevent germs from getting under your fingernails.
Healthy Screen Habits
Using screens is more comfortable when you take breaks, keep screens at eye level and avoid using them right before bedtime.
Recognising Burns
A burn is damage to the skin caused by heat, sun, chemicals or electricity.
Nosebleeds
A nosebleed is common and usually stops on its own.
Choking First Aid
If someone is choking and cannot speak, cough or breathe, an adult should call emergency services and give first aid.
Sprains and Strains
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon.
Blisters
A blister is a small pocket of fluid that forms under the skin, often from rubbing.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition that makes the airways narrow and swollen, which can make breathing difficult.
Diabetes Basics
Diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble controlling blood sugar.
Healthy Weight
A healthy weight is one that suits your height, age and body.
Ear Care
Looking after your ears means keeping them dry, not pushing objects into them and turning music down.
Hydration During Sport
Drinking water before, during and after exercise helps keep your body working well.
Sleep Routines
A sleep routine is a set of calm activities you do before bed, such as reading or washing up.
Cold Water Safety
Cold water can make your body lose heat quickly and can make it hard to breathe.
Protein Foods
Protein helps your body grow and repair muscles.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth turn sugar into acid.
Stomach Aches
A stomach ache can be caused by eating too quickly, too much food or by an upset tummy from a virus.
Healthy Teeth Foods
Foods like cheese, crunchy vegetables and plain water help keep teeth healthy.
Brain Food
Your brain needs energy, water and nutrients to work well.
Ear Infections
An ear infection happens when germs infect the middle of the ear, causing pain.
Hay Fever
Hay fever is an allergy to pollen, which can make your nose run and your eyes itchy.
Snacking Smartly
Healthy snacks like fruit, nuts and yoghurt give you energy between meals.
Bruises
A bruise forms when small blood vessels under the skin break after a bump.
Cuts and Grazes
A cut or graze should be cleaned with clean water and covered with a plaster or bandage.
Eyesight Checks
An eyesight check tests how well you can see things near and far.
Gut Health
Your gut is home to trillions of tiny bacteria that help you digest food.
Feeling Tired
Feeling tired can be caused by not sleeping enough, not drinking enough water or eating too much sugar.
Head Lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair and can spread easily between people who touch heads.
Home Safety
Home safety means keeping your house a safe place.
Water Safety at Home
Water can be dangerous even in a bath or bucket.
Healthy Lunch Boxes
A healthy lunch box includes a mix of fruit, vegetables, protein and wholegrain foods.
Sore Throats
A sore throat can be caused by a cold or flu, and it can make swallowing painful.
Flossing
Flossing removes food and plaque from between your teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach.
Staying Active Every Day
Being active every day helps your heart, muscles and bones grow strong.
Insect Bites
Insect bites can itch and sometimes swell.
Dizziness and Fainting
Feeling dizzy can happen if you stand up too quickly, do not drink enough water or have not eaten.
Mental Health Basics
Mental health is about how we think, feel and cope with everyday life.
Self-Care
Self-care means doing things that help you feel well, such as getting enough sleep, spending time with friends, doing things you enjoy and…
Feeling Worried
Everyone feels worried sometimes, such as before a test or a big event.
Calming Down
Calming down can be done by taking slow, deep breaths, counting to ten or thinking of a happy place.
Hygiene After Playing Outdoors
After playing outside, wash your hands with soap and water, especially before eating.
Healthy Hobbies
A healthy hobby is an activity you enjoy that helps your mind and body, such as drawing, cycling, reading or gardening.
Healthy Gums
Healthy gums are pink, firm and do not bleed when you brush.
Walking to School
Walking to school is a great way to get exercise and fresh air.
Food Allergies
A food allergy happens when the body reacts badly to a certain food, such as nuts or eggs.
Staying Hydrated at School
Drinking water throughout the school day helps you concentrate, stay healthy and feel your best.
Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness is an ache that can come a day or two after trying a new or harder activity.
Healthy Eyes at Night
Looking after your eyes at night means turning off screens before bed and making sure the room is not too dark to read in.
Healthy Smiles
A healthy smile comes from brushing twice a day, flossing, eating fewer sugary snacks and visiting the dentist regularly.
Fresh Breath
Fresh breath comes from brushing teeth, cleaning the tongue, drinking water and eating crunchy fruit and vegetables.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are small blisters that appear on the lips and are caused by a virus.
Ice Pack First Aid
An ice pack can help reduce swelling and pain after a bump or sprain.
Warm Clothing in Winter
Wearing warm layers in winter helps keep your body temperature steady.
Good Bedtime Snacks
If you need a snack before bed, choose something light, such as a banana, yoghurt or a small bowl of oats.
Vitamin D from Sunshine
Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight.
Frostbite
Frostbite happens when skin and the tissue under it freeze in very cold weather.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can make it, and your temperature drops too low.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can happen when you get too hot, especially during exercise on a sunny day.
Sunglasses Safety
Sunglasses should block harmful ultraviolet light and protect your eyes from bright sunshine.
Good Posture at Desks
Sitting well at a desk helps keep your back and neck comfortable.
Healthy Hands
Healthy hands are clean, dry and free of cuts.
Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can include sprains, bruises and strains.
Eating Slowly
Eating slowly gives your brain time to notice when you are full.
Heavy Backpacks
A heavy backpack can strain your back and shoulders if it is too heavy or worn badly.
Yawning
Yawning is a natural reflex that can happen when you are tired, bored or even when others around you yawn.
Knee Pain
Knee pain can happen after too much running, jumping or sitting still for long periods.
Nutrition Labels
Nutrition labels on food show how much energy, fat, sugar, salt and other nutrients are in a portion.
Cooking Safely
Cooking safely means keeping hot pans away from edges, turning handles inwards and never leaving the stove unattended.
Breathing Through the Nose
Breathing through your nose helps warm, filter and moisten the air before it reaches your lungs.
Water Intake
Water intake means how much water you drink each day.
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas are drinks made by steeping flowers, fruits, leaves or roots in hot water.
Frequently asked questions about Health and Body
How much exercise should children get?
Experts recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day for children and young people. Play, sports and active travel all count.
How much sleep do 10-year-olds need?
Most children aged 9 to 12 need around 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night for good growth, learning and mood.
Who can I talk to about my health?
A parent, guardian, school nurse, teacher or doctor. You can always tell a trusted adult if you feel unwell or worried.