Collaborative post by another author.  As a parent or carer, helping children stay active and engaged is so important. Physical activity not only supports their health but also boosts their social and emotional wellbeing. Sports can be a fun and rewarding way to build bonds and spend quality time together as a family.

Here are six great sports you may want to try with your children.

Football is one way to get active and make friends

Football 

Football is the UK's most popular sport and it's easy to get involved. There are countless youth teams and clubs across the country catering for all ages and abilities. From a casual kickabout in the park to joining a competitive league, football is a fantastic way to keep your children active, build their self-esteem and help them make new friends. The social nature of the game teaches key skills like communication, collaboration and good sportsmanship. It’s an ideal sport if your children are new to the area and do not know anyone yet, which is something many families including those who are fostering via Foster Care Associates can relate to.

Swimming

Head to your local swimming pool for an enjoyable activity that all ages can take part in. Many leisure centres and schools across the UK have pools along with swimming lessons for different abilities. It is an important life skill and provides great, low-impact exercise. Consider signing your child up for a term of lessons if they need to gain confidence in the water. Once they can swim reasonably well, you can have fun practising different strokes or playing games like water polo together.

Cycling

Get a pair of bikes and go exploring. Cycling is a cheap and eco-friendly sport that the whole family can do together. You can often pick up second hand children's bikes at a low cost on places like Facebook Marketplace. Look up easy, picturesque cycling trails in your county or join broader cycle paths that run right across the UK. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Younger children will need stabilisers and should stick to dedicated cycling circuits or quiet parks until they feel steadier on two wheels. Regular cycling helps foster self-reliance, responsibility and fitness.

Athletics

From sprinting and hurdles to the long jump or javelin, athletics provides a variety of activities for all ages to build speed, stamina, strength and mobility. Local sports clubs catering specifically for athletics will have professional coaches and regular training sessions. You can also create your own fun at home. Set up an obstacle course in your garden or at the park and have a fun family sports day with egg-and-spoon races. This is not only enjoyable but also helps develop gross motor skills.

Tennis

A sport for life, tennis helps with coordination, movement and reaction times. Check your local area for courts available for public hire, grab a couple of rackets and a few balls and have a rally. Your local council will likely run tennis coaching programmes over weekends or holidays for reasonable rates too. As they find their tennis feet, you will find yourself running all over the court together. It is a great way to bond.

Hiking

Finally, lace up those walking boots and take to the bountiful British countryside right on your doorstep. Map out National Trails by region and distance to find a family-friendly route. Pack drinks and snacks and make memories together. You can learn navigation skills, identify wildlife and plants and appreciate the landscapes. All while keeping active and breathing fresh air. Scaling that hill together is a great bonding feat for you and your child. Bring the family dog too for extra company.

Gently encourage your children to try a sport, even if they are not especially "sporty". It is a great way to make sure they get some exercise away from screens.