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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My boys will end up spending most of the summer playing football on the green in front of our house with the other boys in the village. We will probably go to the beach quite a bit, building sandcastles, swimming in the sea. My daughter will be going to a netball tournament in the summer and will hopefully continue to play through the summer too.

We do yoga. Inside or outside. For 10 minutes or an hour. Its so versatile and fun too :)

I know it's different in different areas but I would like to see some kind of campaign to remind people that playing out is normal! Where I live we have some small communal patches of grass which are pretty much never used. Most of the houses are now occupied by people without children at home and when we do use these areas I feel very conscious of every noise they make etc. It would be good to remind people that children running around and making (some) noise are playing, not being naughty.

Work is also a major factor. My children are far more active if they have friends to play with but for most people it seems every day of the holidays is scheduled - children are either at holiday clubs, staying with grandparents or on family holidays. My children's friends are simply not ever free to come and while away an afternoon scooting up and down the road. Not sure what can be done about this as work is necessary, but it is sad.

Lots of nearby parks and activity clubs mean that outside activities are not far away - weather, of course, is a whole different issue and can be a major setback!

I don't drive and my partner works shifts so it's trying to fit things around him. Then on the days he's working and we can't plan anything it's park days and wandering round the woods etc!

At the moment my 2 are obsessed with roller skates so a venue offering a disco skate session or something similar would get them up and active

A blend of kids, dogs, balls, Frisbees, bikes, scooters, parks, beaches, trips to the woods and good weather make our summers active and great fun.

If there’s something fun to do and if the weather is nice

My 14 year old daughter is going through that wonderful 'difficult' stage. It is hard to get her to do anything active. However, I don't drive and her friends live all over the county and so when she wants to see them, which is often, she needs to get up and go herself! She earns the money for the public transport and shopping by doing household chores. Both of these keep her active!

When they have friends over or something exciting to look forward to. Having nearby friends there age who they have arranged to meet always helps!

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We have a country park near us and I tell the children that when they get there, they can run around and be as loud as they like!

Congratulations to @rosybell for winning the £300 Sainsbury's voucher

MNHQ

My DCs are very active. They haven't yet discovered technology too much but I assume that the day is coming where they will stop moving and be glued to a screen. :'(

Making dens in the garden and having picnics in them

Nice weather! also helps if we get friends and family involved in our activities

good weather helps... camping trips hiking sunny walks and garden games x

I usually sign my kids up for a few days of multi sports camp and we take regular outings to parks, playgrounds, the sea side and woodlands, they also love to take their bikes or scooters out.

A mixture of a couple of days at the local council activity schemes, time with grandparents & aunties, family 2 week holiday & days of doing nowt.

Would love more activities on in the local park, but there isn't usually any on. More sports options for kids, there's plenty for adults but not so much for kids, which is a shame.

Anywhere where there is little opportunity to spend money , get wrapped up properly and and go trekking in a nature reserve

I think it gets harder to get them out to exercise as they get older. Having a dog helps, as they love to play with her in parks and on beaches etc.

Family bike rides are always a favourite

Mine don't like getting cold, wet or muddy so anything that doesn't involve these is usually a winner!

My daughter has only learnt to walk in the last couple of months, so lugging a pram about where ever we go and making sure that I can use it is a barrier, but at the moment she loves going out and asks for her shoes and jacket every morning so we can go and walk the dog. Once it's less muddy I'll take her to the local woods