Mumsnet users share with Sainsbury's what would get their children up and active

[EllieMumsnet]

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We all know it’s hard to get our children to keep active, especially during the holidays when sitting inside watching TV and playing computer games seem like the more appealing options. Sainsbury’s wants to get to the bottom of this and understand what barriers parents face during the summer holidays in getting your DCs active and in an ideal world what would it take to help you to get them up and about?

Sainsbury’s says: “We want to understand what challenges you and your family face when keeping active in the holidays. We know there are plenty of reasons, but we’re particularly keen to identify the types of support that would help your kids to get active. Do you want to send your children to a local sports camp, but there isn’t one nearby? Or would you like to see more frequent family park runs happening in your local community? Whatever would help your kids to get up on their feet this summer, we want to know!”

Let us know the barriers you face and any suggestions you have to get your children active on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £300 Sainsbury’s voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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Some decent weather for a decent length of time. We really miss out in the country on the outdoor life, even just going to play in the park as the weather can never be trusted. I love the mediterranen traditional of evening strolls with the kids, and it really creates a community atmosphere. More events in parks and open spaces here would be a good start.

Being at home with the 5 of them during the hols while hubby is at work means we get out walking all the time, whether it's to do the shopping or run an errand I always try to add something fun to the day like as a treat we stop at the ice cream shop on the way back or go via the park to feed the duck.
We also regularly make up picnics to take the park which is just around the corner but lovely to spend a few hours as they run about or cycle around.

Football club for my football mad sons

my daughter just loves going out bike riding, also in the holidays she goes to the village youth centre and they do loads of activities, x

If the weather is good, that's all the incentive they need to be outside and active. Plus, they have friends nearby and a good local park which helps.

Camping trips - putting up the tent, taking the washing up to the block to clean, exploring the site, cooking outdoors.....we love it, and so do the kids. We always try and do a few weekend breaks in the summer months, and we choose sites that are cheap as chips.

A bit of warm weather would definitely get my DDs out and about. We can go down the local splash park on the really hot days or just going down the beach would suit them.

My children are older now, but they do both like walking.

a long dry but not overly hot summer

we live on the coast and there's nothing my children love more than a day splashing about and in and out of the sea, especially if there is a giant float involved!

we do a lot of walking and have a dog so go out in all weather. Especially enjoy walking on the beach or mountain terraines. The good thing is this s free. There are organised sport clubs on over the summer but they can be expensive

Definitely better weather - since moving inland my kids have been terribly lazy so I think I need to find them some water activities

We have just joined the National Trust to encourage us to take part in planned activities or just nice walks.

My little girl has just started swimming lessons so that will provide an extra activity.

Bike and scooter rides too.

Treasure hunts are always a great way to get them excited to get out and explore

Signed up for summer camp and have rainy day and summer day activities planned

A trip to Coombe Abbey usually gets her up and about and burning off some energy.
If the weathers bad, swimming is always a win!

Lots of visits to zoos , parks and the duck pond are what my youngest loves to do

I have found my own anxiety to be a bit of a barrier. My son is a lively, active little lad & we love running around & playing together.
However.. he is an only child & I worry about him not having siblings around to play with.

We do have friends over to play sometimes, but I worry that he gets lonely/bored & would like to have more playdates, but struggle to drum up the courage to ask people!
We love running races, doing treasure hunts, going for walks, picnics & building dens in the garden together.
If I could just have a little touch of courage - I think my little boy would enjoy these moments even more :)

Having games to play outside and toys to keep them active like a trampoline and pool to have a splash in :)

Park days are guaranteed to get the kids moving and having tons of fun. they also enjoy wood walks because that feels like a total adventure and they forget how far they've walked!

Weather, money and age differenec are the main barriers and kids age range from 3 to 12 so want and are able to do different things. Cost of activities and summer camps is also very expensive.
Good weather would get them out and playing. Also activities for different age ranges that do not cost a lot at the same venue.

More summer schemes or sports camps; better weather; more annual leave 😃

My two sons need no prompting for getting up early and being active!
Once the weather is better, I'm hoping to spend some time practicing some of the Wing Chun techniques I've been learning as he will be moving up in his age group and will be able to start grading for his belts. Lots of running and fun games, mostly imagined up by my son, will be had, I hope!

He's always loved being outside so we go to the beach and he's happy throwing pebbles in the water or into a bucket. He loves his bike and scooter. I imagine as he gets older it could be harder and then money is always an obstacle. He's only 4 and hasn't developed a love for a particular sport, except darts he's very good, but he just wants to be outside. The other obstacle is a lack of parks and facilities. If the weather is good the skate park is full of teenagers, rightly so but it's bit very big and I wouldn't want my Ds to be in the way or cause an accident. So we go early morning and leave before it's busy.

More clubs for pre schoolers would be good

I have a one year old who is the most active little boy on the planet, I am looking forward to the summer so we can use our garden more, the only problem we have is the weather! Maybe we could set up an activity tent in, he would probably enjoy that!