This may help
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-children.aspxJust standing up counts as light physical activity. It gives some info about the balance of light and energetic physical activity and that both count.
The energetic physical activity is quite obvious (the things you mention such as soft play, play park, running, dancing).
Light activity might be
- standing to paint at an upright easel (or tape paper to the kitchen cupboard or fridge which is easily wiped down)
- standing to do stickers at an upright easel (as above)
- standing/moving around whilst a book is being read to them (some people force children to sit for stories, no need)
- standing to 'read' books (mine might roll around on the floor or stand with the book on the sofa, again no need to sit still for looking at books)
- standing at a water table, kitchen sink for water play, train table, craft table for cutting and gluing activities
- hide and seek (even indoors)
- walking around the supermarket, helping find the right foods and pushing the trolley (rather than sitting in it)
- putting shopping away (lifting and carrying)
- standing to play musical instruments
- standing at the kitchen counter to help prepare food
- setting the table (walking back and forth to the kitchen to bring condiments etc)
- watering the garden (which might be light activity rather than digging which may be energetic)
- playing in a sand pit which you mentioned, involves lifting sifting, digging, patting, even though sat down it is still light physical activity
- dance DVD (mine doesn't do much of the dancing which would be more energetic but even so he is still on the move when watching)
- crawling along the floor pushing cars or moving toy people
(it may help to contrast with an inactive child, one who is kept in a car or pushchair for long periods, sat in the shopping trolley seat, told to sit still for books/TV/craft, kept in a high chair for long periods)
They all sound like very simple things and not huge on the huffing and puffing brought on with energetic activity but these relatively small things all make a difference and can lead to actually quite a small amount of the day being inactive. More light physical activity can be given by making small changes in daily activities.