The school gates close, routines change and six weeks of summer stretch out ahead. For families, finding summer holiday activities for kids can be exciting, but it can also feel like a challenge.
How do you keep children active without planning every minute? How do you encourage movement without making it feel like a chore?
The good news is that an active summer does not need to mean expensive days out or a packed family calendar.
Often, the best summer memories come from simple things. A ball in the garden. A trip to the park. A family walk. A game invented on the spot.
At Kixx, we believe movement should be fun and inclusive. Whether a child already loves football or is simply discovering active play, summer is a brilliant opportunity to build confidence, try new things and have fun.
Why keeping kids active in summer matters
During term time, children often have movement built naturally into their day through walking, playtimes, PE and regular activities.
When the holidays begin, some of that routine can disappear.
For children aged five to 18, the NHS recommends an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity each day across the week. However, activity does not have to mean formal exercise.
Running around the garden counts. So does riding a bike, dancing, swimming, playing at the park or kicking a football.
The key is to make movement something children enjoy.
Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People Survey found that 49% of children and young people averaged at least 60 minutes of activity a day during the 2024–25 academic year.
For parents, the goal does not need to be perfection. Small opportunities to move can add up throughout the day.
Summer holiday activities for kids can be simple
It is easy to feel pressure to fill every day of the summer holidays.
But children often need something much simpler: opportunities to play.
Unstructured play gives children space to use their imagination and make their own choices. Regular activities can provide routine, new challenges and opportunities to make friends.
A healthy summer can include both.
Here are seven simple ideas to help.
1. Let your child invent the game
Give children a football, a few cones or safe household objects to use as markers. Then ask them to create their own challenge.
It could be a dribbling course, a target game or something completely new.
When children help create the activity, they can use their imagination and feel more involved in the fun.
2. Create a family football challenge
You do not need a full pitch to enjoy football together.
Try a few simple challenges:
- How many passes can you complete?
- Can you dribble around five objects?
- How many times can you hit a target?
- Can you make a goal using two objects and pass the ball through it?
Keep it light and focus on having fun rather than winning.
3. Make the most of local outdoor spaces
A garden, park or open space can become the setting for dozens of activities.
Play football. Create an obstacle course. Ride bikes. Play tag. Go on a nature hunt.
The activity itself matters less than the enjoyment. When movement feels like play, children are more likely to want to do it again.
4. Try a summer activity bingo card
Create a simple bingo card with challenges such as:
- Kick or roll a ball to someone 10 times
- Go on a family walk
- Learn a new football skill
- Build a den indoors or outdoors
- Complete an obstacle course
- Try a new outdoor activity
- Visit a new park or outdoor space
Children can tick them off throughout the holidays.
There is no need for prizes or pressure. The aim is simply to create fun reasons to get moving.
5. Think in minutes, not hours
Not every activity needs to take up an entire morning.
Ten minutes in the garden before lunch can work. So can a short walk after tea or a quick kickabout before settling down for the evening.
Small bursts of movement are often easier to fit around family life.
6. Have a rainy-day backup
A British summer does not always cooperate.
When the rain arrives, try a dance challenge, balloon keepy-uppies, a treasure hunt or a simple movement game.
You do not need to recreate a football pitch in the living room. A little creativity can still get children moving and laughing.
7. Keep some routine in the week
The summer holidays are a break from school, but many children still enjoy having something familiar to look forward to.
A regular activity can give the week a little structure while offering opportunities to see friends, meet new people and develop skills.
For some children, a weekly football session can be a positive part of that routine.
At Kixx, our age-appropriate football sessions for children aged 18 months to 11 years focus on fun, confidence and development. Every child can take part at their own pace in a positive and welcoming environment.
Looking for more ideas?
For more football activities, simple challenges and inspiration to try with your child, follow Kixx on Instagram. Our page is full of ideas to help families enjoy football, movement and play together.
Follow Kixx on Instagram for more inspiration.
Keep active play free from pressure
Children are all different.
One child may run towards every new activity. Another may prefer to watch before joining in. One may love competition, while another enjoys simply playing.
There is no single correct way to be active.
Children do not need to be the fastest or most skilful to benefit from movement. They simply need opportunities to take part and enjoy themselves.
Parents can help by praising effort, enjoyment and persistence.
Instead of asking, “Did you win?”, try asking:
“What did you enjoy?”
“What would you like to try next time?”
Small changes in the way we talk about sport can help children focus on the experience, not only the result.
Make this a summer of little wins
A successful summer does not need to be measured by how many places you visit or how many activities you book.
Sometimes, the biggest wins are much smaller.
Trying something new. Making a friend. Scoring a goal in the garden. Heading outside for ten minutes together.
Those moments matter.
At Kixx, our mission is to create a world where every child can grow in confidence, character and belief.
We exist to positively impact children through unforgettable experiences that help them become stronger in life, not just sport.
This summer, enjoy movement without pressure, play without perfection and plenty of opportunities to have fun.
Find football classes for your child this summer
Looking for a positive activity your child can enjoy?
Kixx football sessions help children aged 18 months to 11 years enjoy football, build confidence and develop at their own pace.
Find your nearest Kixx academy and discover a session for your child today.
