activities that I can get 8-10 year olds doing

[mumaroundtheclock]

My children are addicted to their phones and I don't know what to do! I have a daughter in year 4 and one son in year 6 and they both don't do many physical activities. I do take their phones away but I don't want to come across as too strict. Does anyone know what activities I can get them into? I've tried football/dance/tennis and they just aren't interested!

Have you got any local cycling clubs near you? Really good exercise, fun and the kids learn loads of skills which make them safer on the road when cycling, win win

Try some of these
www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/activities/10-minute-shake-up/?WT.mc_ID=10MSU_Social

Colouring
jigsaws
lego
gardening
dog walking
top trumps
knitting
psinting
map reading
crystals and fossils
baking
scouts
paddleboarding
tennis
frisbee
tent building
den building
watching wildlife
bird watching

the list is endless ….

Mine loved swimming at that age

Mine hates football but loves jujutsu. He also does a hip hop dance class which he enjoys as he likes the music and the 'cool kids' vibe.

Days in the summer holidays are long it's just hard. Make them earn phone time with chores and activities. You can my DS had to sweep leaves and prune ivy, and it kept him busy for about four hours.

The canal and river trust are doing one hour free fishing sessions for children where they have all the equipment and the kids get one to one teaching. We went along to one without much expectation with DD and she loved it, the coaches are so lovely and engaging we've been to a couple more since and enjoyed each one. It's not a physical sport but a good chance to get a break from screens

Why do kids in years 4 and 6 have phones?!? They don’t need them at that age, and their world won’t end if they don’t have them for a bit. You’re the parent - take the phones off them and get them doing some normal kid stuff at the park or in the garden!

While the phones are around they will always complain as it’s easy brain fluff that doesn’t demand any real thought - why would they give that up for den building and imaginative play while the phones are around in the background nearby? You have to reset their connection with games and play that require curiosity and engagement and physical activity, so removing the phones for a longer period is key. Then get them out of the house to somewhere with a playground and a zip wire and some nature and some den building to do, maybe take a friend with you. Then take it from there!

At that age my DCs enjoyed tennis,swimming and athletics.
They also enjoyed going to the park to kick a football or throw a frisbee around.

Horse riding? It's been the making of my dc but especially dd2 who is 9 and had potential to be a bit chubby and less motivated. Didn't have natural ability in things like dance or gymnastics. It's become an entire lifestyle and an outdoor one at that. Not just a hobby.

We had some successes with street dance, parkour, and kayaking. You are not alone!

Oh, and table tennis. Local youth clubs/community centres often hire them out very cheaply.

Junior Parkrun if there is one near you.

Kickboxing

Both of mine liked Cricket at that age, see if there's a local club and they have anything on. Most clubs will lend you any equipment they need at first.

DD particularly enjoyed a climbing club that was held at the local climbing centre. They usually run short courses.

Scouts was popular too.

Would they be interested in Pokémon Go or geo-cacheing do you think? Halfway house between tech and exercise.