Health Minister Simon Corbell launched the Kids at Play program at Charles Conder Preschool on Tuesday and said early childhood was an ideal opportunity to educate children on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

The fundamental movement program was designed for children between three and five years and will be rolled out to preschool and early childcare centres across the ACT.

Therapy ACT occupational therapist Rebecca Smith said the program equipped early childhood teachers to work through 12 fundamental movement skills such as how to jump, catch, run, hop, kick balls and throw.

Those skills were then integrated into games and active play to build childrens' confidence in their physical abilities.

"Preschoolers in terms of their developmental stage, they're learning about what their bodies do," Ms Smith said.

"Sometimes there'll be preschool kids who have fantastic skills, they'll have older brothers and sisters, they'll have had sporting opportunities and they'll be ready to go.

"But there are actually quite a lot of preschool kids who don't have those fundamental movement skills.

"Kids at Play is about having fun and learning the fundamental movement skills."

Ms Smith said building those basic skills from a young age meant children wouldn't miss out on physical and social opportunities later in life, such as playing a team sport.

"The look of delight on their face when they master skills is excellent and will hopefully give them the confidence to join in whatever opportunities for physical activity come their way throughout their life."

Mr Corbell said less than a quarter of ACT children got at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, while national guidelines recommended children should be active for at least three hours each day.

"One of the biggest challenges in our community is we see too many people who are overweight or obese and that's not just having health consequences, it has really big social consequences.

"If you're not active you're missing out not just on the health benefits, you're missing out on the social benefits.

"You're missing out on the opportunity to interact with your peers, make friendships, make connections right across the community."

Education Minister Joy Burch said active play was a vital component of the education system.

"Physical activity, exercise and participation in sports have many benefits for children including increased motor skills, social inclusion and promoting healthy weight."

Mr Corbell said the Kids at Play program supported the ACT government's Healthy Weight Initiative, which aimed to combat the rising rates of overweight and obese children and adults in the territory.