Stay Fit and Active During the School Holidays

bhopkinsports
Feb 15
3 min read

Keeping your child active during the school holidays is essential for their physical, mental, and social development. With so many benefits to staying fit, it’s important to encourage regular exercise during their time away from school. Here’s how staying active can make a big difference

1. Maintain Physical Health and Fitness

Throughout the school year, children build endurance and strength, feeling stronger, faster, and fitter. These gains in aerobic and anaerobic fitness make them less fatigued and help them recover quicker after intense activity such as a football match. However, if they remain inactive during the holidays, these benefits can fade quickly. As a sports coach, it is noticeable which children haven’t stayed active over the break as they tire easily and find it hard to match the stamina and speed they had before the holidays. By staying active during the break, children can return to school with the same endurance, stronger muscles, healthier bones, and better overall fitness.

2. Support Mental Health and Well-Being

Physical activity is just as important for a child’s mental health as it is for their physical health. Research states that children should engage in at least one hour of exercise per day, but recent studies by Sport England (2024) show only 45% of children meet this goal. Exercise releases endorphins, which help elevate mood, reduce stress, and promote positive feelings. Regular activity also enhances concentration, boosts self-esteem, and improves sleep, leading to an overall better mental state.

3. Develop Social Skills

The holidays present a great opportunity for children to come together and build social connections outside of school. Whether through team sports, sports camps, or simply playing with friends and neighbours, these interactions help children strengthen communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

4. Explore New Hobbies and Interests

Holidays are a perfect time for children to discover new sports and activities they may not have experienced before. Sports camps, in particular, provide great opportunities for children to explore a wide variety of activities, helping them discover new interests while also developing existing skills.

5. Enhance Cognitive Abilities

Staying active during the holidays doesn’t just benefit the body—it also improves cognitive function. Regular exercise boosts focus, enhances memory, and improves decision-making. As a result, children return to school ready to retain information better, solve problems more effectively, and approach challenges with a sharper mind.

Conclusion

Encouraging children to stay active during the school holidays goes beyond just preventing boredom. It’s a key aspect in developing their physical, mental, and social growth. By exploring new sports, engaging in outdoor activities, and fostering new friendships, children can lay the foundations for a healthy, long lasting active lifestyle without losing all the positive gains they made at school.

How Can BHSports Help?

At BHSports, we understand how important it is to keep children active during their school break. That’s why we offer a range of fun, structured, player-centred sports programs, including sports camps, 1-to-1 and group training sessions that cater to children of all ages and abilities. Our activities not only help improve fitness but also teach essential life skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. Whether your child is interested in team sports, individual sports or general fitness, BHSports can provide an environment that encourages fun, physical development, and new friendships where the children come first.

To see our upcoming sports camps, please visit our website or contact us at bhsportscoach@gmail.com to book your place today.

References

Children’s activity levels remain stable but significant and sustained action required, Sport England (2024). Access online here: https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-inspiration/childrens-activity-levels-remain-stable-significant-and-sustained-action