Preparing your little one for an active summer
Preparing your little one(s) for an active summer can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Engaging in physical activity not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also helps children develop their motor skills, socialise with peers, and explore the world around them.
There are several things you can do to get them ready for the summer holidays and have a memorable 6 weeks before the new school term starts, and they don’t all have to cost the earth…
Plan outdoor activities
It's a sad fact that in the UK we suffer from temperamental climate. But there is still plenty of opportunity to get the little ones outside on sunnier days.
It might be that your child has particular sports or activities that they enjoy, but if not, don’t worry! Simply get together with your child and make a list of activities that they would like to try. These might include swimming, cycling, hiking, or simply playing games in the park! Be sure to discuss the benefits of these with your child and create a schedule to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor play.
Set goals together
Encourage your child to set realistic goals over the summer months. This could be achieving a certain level of proficiency within a sport, reading a certain number of books, or challenging themselves to learn a new skill, like learning to ride a bike or a new swimming stroke.
Whatever you choose, remember that children love having goals to work towards and it offers a huge sense of achievement when they succeed.
Working towards a goal is a great life skill to learn from an early age.
Plan outdoor games
Young children love spending time with their peers, and warm days outdoors provide rich experiences for social interaction.
Get planning with a few parents and organise a games tournament with the children and their families. You can choose from a whole host of sports from rounders to cricket, football to badminton, there's endless options! All you need to do is divide people into teams and watch the competitive spirit start to flow.
(It’s also a great opportunity for parents to get involved and tick off their daily activity goal!)
If you’re making a day of it, coordinate with other team members and plan a healthy picnic - just don’t forget to carry plenty of water to keep everyone hydrated.
Sign them up for the Summer Reading Challenge
Children need to keep their minds active as well as their bodies over the summer break. The Summer Reading Challenge happens every year, and it all about encouraging kids to keep reading during the holidays. Our very own Beth Tweddle is an ambassador, as the theme this year is sports and games!
Signing your little one up couldn’t be easier – just pop to your local library, or head to https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/to join in.
Encourage a new hobby!
As the holiday approaches, enrol your child into a summer program or a weekly sports session that aligns with their interests. Whether it's football, basketball, tennis or gymnastics, summer camps and planned activities provide structured physical exercise and teach valuable teamwork and coordination skills.
Regular sports programs also offer opportunities for children to make new friends, try new things and build confidence.
Discover more about our amazing Beth Tweddle Gymnastics Summer Camps at a centre near you… https://www.bethtweddlegymnastics.co.uk/gymnastic-events
Sign them up for a gymnastics class!
Gymnastics is an excellent activity for children, offering many physical, mental, and social benefits. Physical development, strength and fitness, motor skills and coordination, flexibility and agility, discipline and focus, confidence and self-esteem; the list just goes on!
Whatever you choose to do with your child(ren) this summer, the school holidays are a magical time where memories are made, healthy habits are formed, and bonds created that can last a lifetime. No matter how you choose to stay active together as a family, the BTG family is always here to help and offer advice and support whenever you need it.
At Beth Tweddle Gymnastics, we have various venues for your little one to take part in gymnastics, no matter their skill level or experience.
If you’re interested in finding out more, why not sign up for one of our taster sessions? It’s a great way to see if gymnastics is a good fit for your little ones!
