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 kids are normally very active but on the rare occasion they need encouragement then the offer of a picnic will get them to wherever I want to go!

Weather permits we plan a day out and go on forest trails. when they are a bit older then i'll plan activities such as go ape etc.

A new trampoline

I'm fortunate that my daughter has no issue getting up and getting active. She loves watching tv and play with toys but she loves play centres and parks too. A new one has just opened up a few minutes away from my house so we'll be visiting that this weekend to see what its like :)

Going with a couple of friends always helps. GIves me someone to talk to and the kids have more kids similar in age. Chaging the dynamic up from just my two always helps with getting them active and is better for agmes in the park...

If it is sunny they will be out on their bikes with friends, if not they will probably argue over what tv programme to watch or which game to play on the console

We are lucky we live about half a mile from the beach, so kids and the dog loves the kayak!

I've got teens and the only thing that will get them oving is a strategically placed rocket!!

Can’t wait for the summer
Evenings on the beach and lots of running around and digging holes and making sandcastles.
Plus lots of fun times introducing people. My boyfriends children haven’t met my nieces yet, so I’m sure that’s going to be great fun 😂

Nice weather is the biggest help, and a change of scenery does wonders for energy levels so taking the time to go to a different park or wooded area can stimulate the kids.

Outdoor trips they love the beach, picnics at the park and the zoo.

Weather makes a big difference, otherwise limit the screen time, easy to persuade him down the park out for a ride etc...

has to be the weather in our country! its such a shame, on a good summer our son will be out and active almost all the time. It would be great if there were low-cost under cover activities that kids could do all year round or pay a 6 monthly fee for that was cheap! I am lucky really as our son does get off his bum, but if its raining its really hard to get him out of that bed!

My twins are only 13 months so very rarely sit still, but we can't wait for the better weather so we can get out to the local parks and playgrounds. The bad weather is a huge barrier with two small babies!

Once i prise them away from the tablets, it should be fairly straight forward. Up the park with a ball, and the cricket set. And then on their bikes.
Its getting them started that is the tricky part...

Going to play tennis is always a good one :)

Going out with friends or family. Inthe summer the beach is great to get them out. Also cinema

I think our main barrier is living on a busy road among other busy roads, meaning the children can't just "go out and play" with their friends like I did when I was young. It's a real shame. I suppose one solution is the "play road" idea where you shut it every so often but that does take a lot of organisation. Also more zebra crossings perhaps so my kids could get to the park more easily.
Better and cheaper public transport would also mean we could get to the countryside more easily.

We love going on walks and have some great places to go so that helps. We also like to go on bike rides. On days when they are not so keen to be active we make a plan of going for a walk and stopping in the shop on the way home to pick up some treats and have a movie afternoon when we get back.

I love the holidays and i always find something to keep my kids active. My daughter gets the Primary Times from school every term and it highlights events on throughout the holidays and most are free. I check out the local country parks as the rangers have various free events on, local shopping centres have free events at the weekends such as arts and crafts. The swimming pools here are free for children in the holidays to encourage keeping fit which is such a bonus and we love to use this facility. Then i also take my kids and the dog for walks at the beach or in the woodland and try keep them busy with collecting things like pine cones or heart shaped leaves. The only dilemma i sometimes have is my childrens age gap is 6 years apart and having something for my 9 year old and nearly 3 year old can be tricky when certain activities have age limits.

Possibly a grenade or other explosive device, or maybe bribery.

Good weather and going to see some animals

Sunshine - good weather - as soon as its warm they are up and doing!

sunshine. a beautiful day always gives the children a fresh breath of air. a visit to the beach is a must

Getting my kids up in the morning is the biggest barrier to getting my kids active during the summer. That and the large age gaps which makes finding something they can all do difficult.
I find having some sort of routine for meeting up with ppl early on particular days or making sure we do an activity first thing in the morning helps them be more active throughout the day! otherwise they sleep the summer away