Summer of Sports: Keeping your kids active over the summer holidays

The sun is shining, the weather is warming up and cardigans and coats are starting to be replaced with t-shirts, shorts and summer dresses which also means that Sports Day is just around the corner.

I am already practising for the Mum's race; I have dusted off my trainers and have had a couple of practice races with the kids, although Isaac is now 9 and gone are the days where I can beat him without breaking into a sweat.

The kids love Sports Day and taking part in P.E at school, especially when given the chance to learn a new skill. Isaac starts windsurfing this week – how cool is that!!

However, being half way through June it also means that the summer holidays are almost upon us, so how do you keep the kids active through the six-week break?

One of my favourite summer activities is swimming with the kids and living by the coast I feel that it is an essential life skill to have. Something I do every summer is book the kids into FREE beach and water safety swimming sessions locally which teaches them to keep safe when swimming outdoors as it is very different from swimming in a pool. Swim Safe sessions are held at locations across the UK for young people aged 7-14 who can swim a minimum of 25m.

June also sees tennis fever hit the UK when Wimbledon starts and the LTA have launched their Tennis for Kids initiative which aims to inspire 10,000 children aged 5-8 to pick up a racket and play tennis for the first time.

To take part simply sign up to a free six-week course led by specially trained coaches, and your child can even earn a free racket when they complete the course.

Photo by Charly Dove

For football lovers, The FA Lidl Skills offers inexpensive football coaching during the school holidays at Skills Centres throughout England.  Football coaching is perfect for children who want to develop their football ability and also if they just want to have some fun with their friends during the holidays.

Once the kids have learned to ride a bike, cycling is a fun activity that the whole family can take part in and Let's Ride organise some great bike rides or routes to follow or just head to your local country park and race around until the kids are worn out.

Another trick is to round up friends and hold your own sports day in your local park. Take a picnic and create obstacle courses to negotiate, have some friendly races (egg and spoon is our favourite) and relax in the sunshine as the kids run and play.

What activities do you like to do with the kids in the holidays? How about a crazy golf course, or a fossil hunt on the beach? Leave us a comment below, or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Be sure to check out Susie Verrill's tips for surviving the summer!