Covid-19: Keeping Children and Young People active during outbreak

Children and Young People Project Officer Bethaney Hall looks at the task facing the physical activity and sport sector in trying to keep children and young people active whilst schools are closed and the resources available to help parents.

Anyone that has witnessed kids in a playground, or in any open space, is only too aware how naturally physically active most children are and how they love to move.

But with schools closed, clubs shut and government restrictions on movement due to the covid-19 outbreak, it may feel almost impossible to support and influence children to get active.

The challenge for those in the sector looking to help children and young people to get active and stay active appears greater than ever.

And, unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle for children and young people has never been easier.

Parents are juggling home-schooling with their own jobs and the whole family are in a confined space full of TVs, games consoles, mobile phones and tablets.

But now is the very time we all need regular daily exercise: to burn all that energy, to keep us entertained, to relieve the boredom and keep us happy and healthy.

It is why Sport England launched their #StayInWorkOut campaign last week to share best practice and encourage the nation to find innovative ways of keeping their body moving.

And help is at hand for children and young people too.

We have firmly re-iterated our commitment to physical activity and sport and agreed to a series of funding pledges to support clubs/organisations at this difficult time.

We’ve also been inspired by how many organisations and individuals from across the country are trying to help with free online resources and support for families.

The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, for example, has brought activity for young children to a huge audience with his daily 9am videos on YouTube and he is not alone.

Which is why we have pulled together a series of resources specifically aimed at children and young people to make it as easy as possible to find the support you need.

We have already seen a huge response to our tech resource, compiled with Sport Tech Hub, and hope all organisations working with young people will find something to complement their work here.

View our Children and Young People #StayInWorkOut resource here.

If you have an offer which is suitable for children and young people (below the age of 25) that we’ve not included, please feel free to email us.

Otherwise, we hope to see lots of you getting involved by sharing your photos and videos using #StayInWorkOut to our Twitter (@LondonSport) and Instagram (ldn_sport) pages.

If you are considering moving your activity offer online, check out these helpful hints and find out more by signing-up for a free webinar this Thursday at 2pm.