The government has teamed up with Joe Wicks to inspire children to move more this summer.

An animated Activate series with five-minute episodes will combine animation with upbeat music to encourage children to enjoy short bursts of movement that easily fit into their day and can benefit their physical and mental health.

The series has been co-created by Joe Wicks and Studio AKA (creators of Hey Duggee).

It is backed by the government's 10 Year Health Plan.

The series was launched at Ripple Primary School in Barking, Joe Wicks and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, met teachers and parents to discuss keeping kids moving over the summer holidays and beyond.

Streeting said: "Childhood obesity robs our young people of their future, and inactivity is one of the biggest culprits. That’s why it’s crucial to start building healthy habits from a young age.

"Our 10 Year Health Plan sets out how we would tackle obesity through prevention and today demonstrates how we’re taking action. In the spirit of mission-driven government, we’re building a coalition of the willing to tackle the obesity epidemic head-on.

"This initiative directly supports our focus on giving children the best start in life—a cornerstone of our Plan for Change. By investing in prevention today, we’re building a healthier generation for tomorrow.” 

Joe Wicks said: "Activate is the natural next step in everything I’ve worked towards over the past decade. From my early YouTube workouts, to ‘PE with Joe’ during the pandemic, my goal has always been to get children moving and feeling good - physically and mentally.

"This project brings together everything I am most passionate about, and everything I’ve learned on my journey - going back to my own childhood where I discovered movement as a way to cope with the challenges of living with parents with drug addiction and mental health issues.

"Activate is designed to make movement fun and inclusive for every child, with short, high-energy workouts that fit into everyday life – these can be enjoyed in the living room, the garden, in the classroom, or anywhere else!

"As a dad, I know how important it is to make movement something kids enjoy, not something they have to do. That’s exactly what Activate is all about so I hope it can be a real support for busy families, this summer and beyond."