Activities for Children & Young People

There is a range of activities for children and young people across the district, including:

• sports and activity sessions held at the Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) leisure centres
• free outdoor gym equipment located in Stratford-upon-Avon (Recreation Ground and Orrian Close), Shipston and Bidford
• sports and physical activity clubs - find local clubs on our online directory
• junior parkrun - free 2km running event every Sunday morning at Stratford Recreation Ground (not taking place until further notice)
• Change 4 Life - have various ideas for activities for children and young people
• play areas - there are play areas across the district, information regarding SDC play area can be found here
• find out more about our green spaces

National Playday 2020

This year's Playday (Wednesday 5 August) focused on encouraging children, young people and their families to enjoy home-based activities. Due to the social distancing restrictions that are currently in place there were no communal, park-based events organised.

Playday (co-ordinated by Play England) is a national event that celebrates children's right to play.

For more information, visit the National Playday website.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Young People

The NHS recommends that children and young people (aged 5-18) complete:

60 minutes of physical activity everyday, this should be a range of moderate (e.g. playground games) and vigorous intensity activities (e.g. running or playing tennis). Activities that strengthen bone and muscle should be completed three days per week (e.g. gymnastics, swinging on playground equipment or hopping).

It is also recommended that children and young people minimise the time spent sitting. Visit the NHS website for further information about the physical activity guidelines for children and young people, including recommendations for children under 5.

The 'Change 4 Life' website is full of ideas on how to help your children be more active.