Getting active together is one of the best ways to spend time as a family and reconnect. No matter what age your family members are, there’s a way to be active that suits everyone’s needs!

Let’s be real – life is hectic at the calmest times! School runs, work, homework, endless laundry and dishes… it’s easy to feel like there’s no time to be active. But finding moments to move, even in small ways, can have big benefits for the whole family.

Regular movement can:

• Strengthen family relationships through shared fun and laughter, creating lasting memories.
• Build habits that last a lifetime. Active children are more likely to become active adults.
• Give parents a chance to de-stress and recharge, while children burn off energy, sleep better, and develop physically and mentally.
• Ease loneliness and offer grandparents a sense of purpose, connection and joy.

No matter your age, stage or situation, activity can fit into everyday life. And it doesn’t need to cost a penny.

Little ones are naturally full of energy. The trick is to channel it into simple, fun activities that help them move more. These ideas are easy to fit into busy days and can turn even short moments into an adventure.

Some ideas include:

• Playing in the park: Swings, slides, running races or kicking a ball – all simple, all free, all fun!
• Walking as a game: Go on a bug hunt, count how many birds you see or look for things of a certain colour to make walking feel like an adventure. (Read our blog ‘Step Up The Fun: 13 Ways to Make Walking More Exciting’ to see more ways to make walking more exciting).
• Host a treasure hunt: Set up a scavenger hunt in the house or garden using toys, objects or nature.
• Host a mini Olympics: Sack races with pillowcases, jumping over tins of beans, or throwing a teddy into a bucket are all great options for active play and laughter.
• Get active at home: Visit our ‘Being Active At Home’ webpage to find online resources and activities to help you and your little ones move.

Wanting to get outside the house and meet other families with young children? Here are some groups that may be right for you:

As children get older, they might want a little more excitement or independence when it comes to being active. These ideas help you enjoy time together as a family while giving them the space to get moving in their own way.

Some ideas include:

• Family games night: Play active games like Twister or Just Dance. Or make traditional board games active by adding challenges like jumping for each move or raising your legs according to the number on the dice.
• Outdoor activity: Local, free spaces like Portsmouth PLAYCE courts are great for playing games.
• Explore local history: Visit Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s historic sites to make physical activity a part of a learning experience. (Read our blog ‘4 Historical Walks in Hampshire’ for some inspiration.)
• YouTube Workouts: The internet is filled with free, active videos for you and your family to follow like Joe Wick’s PE with Joe.

Activities for special occasions:

Celebrating a birthday, end of exams or summer holidays? Make it memorable and active with things like: Bowling, Paintballing, Go Ape treetop adventures, Kayaking or Paddleboarding, Laser tag.

But don’t forget – physical activity doesn’t need a big price tag!

Wanting to get outside the house and meet other families? Here are some groups that may be right for you:

Getting moving with your partner can be a great way to relax, connect and enjoy each other’s company.

Everyday ideas:

• Local walks: Explore nearby nature trails, seafronts or city walks together. Whether it’s 10 minutes after dinner or an hour at a weekend, you never know what you’ll find when you get outside.
• Online workouts: The internet is filled with free, active videos for you and your partner to try. Whether you want to learn a new dance, try a challenge you’ve seen on social media or follow a yoga video on YouTube, there’s a lot of activities you can do straight from your living room.

For an active date night:

Date nights don’t have to mean expensive dinners or sitting in the cinema. Why not try something a little different that gets you both moving, laughing and making memories? For a special treat you could consider activities like: Kayaking, Axe Throwing, visiting museums, or Samba Dancing.

Getting moving with grandparents is a lovely way to enjoy quality time across the generations. These gentle, affordable ideas can help everyone stay active, feel included, and enjoy precious family moments together.

You could try:

• Gardening: A gentle but active way to spend time together.
• Volunteering: Litter picking, community gardening or helping at events gets everyone moving with purpose.
• Gentle walks: Try flat, accessible routes suitable for all abilities.
• Online workouts: Follow free Tai Chi or chair yoga videos in the living room on YouTube.
• Museums or heritage sites: Enjoy a gentle walk while learning something new.