Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Spring into Sport
Many families want to pursue an activity that can be enjoyed during the longer and lighter hours, so we’ve taken a look at four sports that become increasingly popular at this time of year...
Cycling…
Last year the nation fell in love with cycling, with more families than ever riding their bikes, inspired by such Olympic heroes as Victoria Pendleton and Chris Hoy - and not forgetting Tour de France winner and Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins. This year, once again, a couple of British riders have a credible chance of winning the Tour de France with either Chris Froome or Bradley Wiggins possibly adorning that illustrious yellow jersey at the end of July on the Champs Elysees. So it goes without saying that British cycling really is riding high at the moment and organisers of Bike Week are hoping these endorsements will inspire families to fall in love with the sport all over again this year. A number of exciting events will take place across the country from 17th to 23rd June 2013, demonstrating the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling. Bike Week aims to get people to give cycling a go - for fun or as a means of getting around to the local shops, school, the library or just to visit friends.
Aside from the obvious physical benefits of cycling – it works the legs, thighs and glutes and is wonderful for the cardiovascular system – it is also a sport that all family members can enjoy together with many discovering cycle-friendly routes in their local area enabling them to see familiar places on two wheels. You will be able to find a special bike week event close to you by going to www.bikeweek.org.uk/event_search.php
Cricket...
Cricket’s ‘Chance to Shine’ programme is currently in its eighth year and has been delivered to over 1.5 million children in 4,000 schools across the UK. The aim of the programme is to reintroduce cricket into state schools and use cricket as a tool for the wider developmental issues like behaviour, attainment, team work, life skills and values. The benefits of playing this traditional summer sport are plentiful. Children learn leadership skills and respect, and as a team sport it is inclusive and crosses social, ethnic and gender divides. Children learn how to win, lose and how to overcome setbacks.
The Asda Kwik Cricket flagship grassroots initiative provides children of primary school age with a fun, inclusive, fast-paced introduction to the game. Last year the programme involved nearly 140,000 kids from 12,000 schools. The main aim of Kwik Cricket is to inspire children to play the sport through the means of a national competition framework. The current programme boasts participation figures of 130,000 and over 50% of all primary schools enter the competition. To find out more go to www.chancetoshine.org or www.asda-kwikcricket.co.uk
Climbing...
Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities that are physically and mentally demanding as well as incredibly fulfilling. Those keen to learn often acquire a host of new life skills and quickly develop a sense of personal responsibility that can stand them in good stead throughout their lives. Nick Colton, British Mountaineering Council Deputy CEO says “Climbing and hill walking are fantastic ways for children to become, and stay, active in the outdoors. The activities help young people learn skills such as problem solving, risk assessment, decision making and team work. They also help young people to develop personal responsibility whilst having fun and keeping fit. Many children start indoors at a climbing wall, or outdoors with experienced friends and family, or perhaps attend a course at an activity centre”.
Many centres with climbing walls offer introductory and progressive classes for children aged 8+ at the weekend and on weekday evenings with qualified instructors. Similarly, outdoor centres offer grounding courses and taster sessions in many types of outdoor pursuits that could give the under 18's the skills to enable them to climb independently. There is a fun competition for young people aged 7+ years, the BMC Youth Climbing Series – for details go to www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-youth-climbing-series. Visit the BMC website –www.thebmc.co.uk - for more information on how to get started.
Swimming...
Swimming is a wonderful way for people of all ages to stay healthy, keep fit and have fun at the same time. It exercises each part of the whole body, improves psychological well-being, releases stress and is a social sport, allowing children the chance to meet new people. Not only is it an essential life skill that everyone should learn, but it is a sport that can save a life. Reports show that not everyone is enjoying the benefits of swimming, particularly some primary school aged children. A recent Ofsted report on physical education in schools showed that in a fifth of schools visited not every pupil could swim 25 metres by the end of year 6. Also the research conducted by the Amateur Swimming Association into school swimming in 2012 revealed that 1 in 3 children leave primary school unable to swim, which equates to 2 million non-swimmers over the next ten years if action isn’t taken. As well as school swimming, there are structured swimming lessons available at local swimming pools, private swimming schools and local clubs. For more information visit www.swimming.org/go/parents/school-swimming or to find a pool near you go to www.swimming.org/poolfinder
Kirsty Woodgate