What activities do your sons do 11 & 13 yrs

[bobbyboboo]

My eldest DS still does scouts but hes getting fed up and doesnt seem interested in doing much else (apart from play on his PS3!!) DS2 does cricket but thats finished now so not doing anything else. They go swimming sometimes but arent overkeen. Would like them to have some kind of hobby/activity to do a couple of times of week. Just looking for ideas so wondered what activities hobbies do your children do?
TIA.

You could try some cricket coaching over the winter. Some clubs organise group sessions and individual coaching is also available at county cricket schools.

If they are strong swimmers how about a life saving course at your local pool.

Badminton/squash/fencing/archery/judo...are also available at our local sports hall. Mine have given all of these a try!

Are you near a dry ski slope? We are not but have promised them a trip to a snow dome.

If they are bored with scouting there is always the Air training Corps, or the army/sea cadets.....these are usually two nights a week.

Is there any after school clubs they can go to?

Lots of churches run youth clubs. Ours do a social once a month and take them to 10 pin bowling, paintballing etc.

mine do tae kwon do,streetdance,basketball and dodgeball

Rugby
Rugby
Rugby (yes, 3 x a week, school and club)
Athletics (club)
Cricket in summer (club, school also)

If he's not that kind of boy, then rowing clubs generally take juniors from 11 upwards. Also canoeing/kayaking? Cycling? Fencing? Karate? Kung Fu? The trick is to find something that they enjoy AND are good at. Having a club is good rather than just randomly going swimming, as you get a group dynamic going which keeps them at it when they don't feel so enthusiastic.

Also cadets/sea scouts if they're that way inclined and have grown out of ordinary scouts.

I actually make each of mine sign up for something involving physical exercise at least once a week.

DS is only 5 but so far has done:

Cricket, Hockey, Swimming, Golf, Football and been to skateboarding lessons which he loved!

ds is 11. swimming club once a week. karate 2x per week. cycling/camping whenever he can persuade his dad to take him.

ds13 does swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming and swimming [rolls eyes], cycling, horseriding and CCF (navy)

ds(nearly 11) does cycling, football (x2), cricket in the summer (although winter nets about to start) and lots of general mucking about with his best friend (lives 4 doors down from us), jumping on the trampoline etc

In terms of organised activities

DS1(nearly 11) does rugby, football, orchestra,guitar lessons and ballroom dancing - plus school extra curricular activities that alter half termly (at the moment it's book club and creative writing).

Until July he went to cubs but has just left as he does not want to go to scouts. He can't wait to be old enough for air cadets.

DSS(15)does rugby, drum lessons and Duke of Edinburgh.

ds3 (12) does rugby x4, basketball, clarinet and scouts
ds4 (10) does rubgy x4, football, swimmings, guitar, cubs, and tabletennis
ds2 (15) does rubgy x7 (!! yes every single day), (did scouts until too old), weight-training and lots of homework.

Thank you for all your replies. Some great ideas there. Will have a look whats available in our area. He is bored of scouts now (has been going since age 6) although he loves the camping trips! Think air cadets would be good.

DD12 Basketball
Drums

DD15 Badminton (lots!)
Trumpet
Guitar

DS aged 11 goes to swimming club twice a week, scouts and golf. He has just joined the photography club at his new senior school. He also loves reading, watching top gear/ gadget show/ helicopter heroes and playing driving type games on his xbox.