Mr Bailey’s Summer Survival Guide: Staying Active Together This Summer
After a fantastic Sports Day, one question I often hear from parents is, “How can we keep the children active over the summer holidays?”
My answer is always the same: don’t overthink it.
Summer isn’t about following a strict training programme or creating future Olympians. It’s about making memories, enjoying time together and helping our children discover that being active is simply part of everyday life. I know the reality of the summer holidays. Screens can quickly become the easiest option, the British weather doesn’t always cooperate, and after a busy day at work, finding the energy for another activity can feel like a challenge. The good news is that staying active doesn’t have to mean hours of organised sport or expensive days out. In fact, some of the best adventures are the simplest.
Move a little, every day
One of the easiest ways to keep everyone active is to make movement part of your daily routine. It doesn’t need to be an hour at the gym or a five-mile walk. Twenty or thirty minutes of activity can make a huge difference.
Go for an evening stroll after dinner. Walk to the shops instead of driving. Explore a new woodland or park. Let the children choose the route, climb over logs, splash through puddles or see who can spot the most wildlife along the way.
Children are naturally curious, so if the adventure feels exciting, they often won’t even realise they’re exercising.
Remember, fun beats competition
As Director of Sport, people often assume I’m all about winning. The truth is, I’m much more interested in seeing children enjoying themselves.
If your child wants to race you to the next tree, brilliant. If they want to invent a silly obstacle course around the garden, even better. If they spend half an hour playing tag with their brothers, sisters or friends, that’s time well spent. When children associate exercise with laughter, they’ll be much more likely to stay active as they grow older.
“But my child only wants to be on a screen…”
You’re certainly not alone.
Rather than banning screens altogether, try setting a simple family challenge. How about an hour of adventure before screen time? Or a family walk before everyone settles down for a film in the evening? Often, it’s about creating balance rather than making screens the enemy. The best part is that parents benefit too. We all spend plenty of time looking at screens, so a little fresh air works wonders for everyone.
You don’t have to be sporty
This is something I really want parents to hear. You don’t need to be a runner, a tennis player or a fitness enthusiast to encourage an active lifestyle. Children don’t expect perfection. They simply love spending time with you. Throw a ball around the garden. Ride bikes together. Fly a kite. Play hide and seek. Build a den. Kick a football. Have a family dance-off in the kitchen while dinner is cooking. If you’re smiling, chances are they will be too.
Make the most of rainy days
Not every summer day is sunny, and that’s absolutely fine. Rain can actually make adventures even more memorable. Pull on the wellies, head outside, splash in puddles, collect leaves, hunt for bugs or simply enjoy getting a little muddy. If the weather really is against you, create an indoor movement challenge. Put on some music, have a dance competition, build a living room obstacle course or see who can hold a balance the longest. Being active doesn’t always have to happen outside.
Tailor it to your child’s age
Children in Reception and Key Stage 1 thrive on imagination. Treasure hunts, obstacle courses, animal walks and games of chase are perfect. Older children often enjoy having a goal. It could be walking a certain distance over the holidays, mastering a new skill, trying a new activity or beating their own personal best at skipping, balancing or cycling. Whatever their age, remember that every child is different. Some will happily spend hours outdoors, while others need a little encouragement. That’s completely normal.
The memories matter most
Years from now, your children probably won’t remember how many steps they walked or how many goals they scored. They’ll remember racing you across the beach. They’ll remember laughing as everyone got caught in a summer shower. They’ll remember family bike rides, picnics in the park and the feeling of arriving home tired, muddy and happy. Those are the moments that build confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of being active. So this summer, don’t worry about creating the perfect fitness plan. Simply get outside, move a little more than yesterday and enjoy every opportunity to make memories together.
Have a wonderful summer, and I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures when we welcome everyone back in September.