What's the furthest you travel to support your DCs' extra-curricular activities?

[cheeseismydownfall]

We have three DC and live fairly rurally so driving is an inevitable part of our lives. Both DC and I are supportive/encouraging of them doing activities outside of school: however none of them are in to the more mainstream sports like football, rugby, gymnastics etc which are available locally and we have had to be more imaginative to find things that appeal to them.

After trying lots of different things they have all now found pursuits that they are really committed to and enjoying, which is great, but they mostly involve a 30 minute drive - and the latest one, which is the absolute favourite for two of them, they love it, is 45/50 mins away.

It is manageable and of course we accept that this is just a consequence of living where we do - but I'm curious about how far other parents travel to facilitate their children's interests?

Children range from late primary to mid secondary btw.

Until fairly recently I had to take my DDs on two buses to their ballroom dance classes as I can't drive. DH would have driven them but he worked on Saturdays. I didn't mind at all...I remember those journeys fondly now they're mean teenagers.

On a regular weekly basis, I guess my limit is also about 45 minutes. For one-off competitions could be up to 4 hours travel each way before I'd think "too far".

I might go for a walk or a run in the different place while they do training -- good way to use the time.

I did a 40/50 min for DD1 to have ice skating lessons when she was doing DofE. It was OK as DD2 had them at the same time, and then they free skated for a while so it was time well spent.
If they really enjoy them then I don't mind, but I wouldn't travel that far for something they were a bit 'meh' about.

The nearest watersports club is 45mins away.
The nearest ski slope is about an hour.
Cricket is 20minutes away.

(As bizarre as it sounds, these aren't actually expensive hobbies!)

If DS is successful in getting into the football academy he's recently tried out for we would be driving all over the county up to two hours every Saturday for matches. I have conflicted feelings about him getting in 😂

Most things are within 10 mins. A weekly one is 25 mins away. Ad hoc practice an hour away for one sport and competitions for another have been up to 6 hours away but I’ve not had to go every time.

I found it got further and further as they got older (teens now). I have a 45 minute journey on a Sunday for one activity but this is unusual because its something very specific and four x 20 minute journeys for other sports on other weeknights split between me and DH. Anything that is within a couple of miles they now walk or bike to themselves. On top of this there can be matches or competitions in their sports all over the county at weekends but its not every weekend.

When they were primary school age everything was in a mile or so of home though.

For years we went every week to the ice rink 1 hour away.

Thank you for the replies, they are making me feel better that we aren't insane for driving them all over the place!

I guess the fact that there are three of them means we notice it more - fortunately two of them are involved in the one that is furthest away, but apart from that they are all very different and in different directions!

I admire you lljkk, I have also considered using the time to run, go to a PAYG local gym etc - it would be perfectly doable - but so far I seem to get too comfortable having a good mumsnet session . I do the weekly shop as well during one of them so that is something!