Things to Do With Kids in Archway: Active Weekends
Saturday morning, 7am, and someone small is already asking what we’re doing today. If you live in N19 and you are tired of the same soft play, this list is for you. These are the free, active things to do with kids in Archway and just beyond that I actually recommend to parents in my classes. I’ve checked every park and facility against the council or the City of London, so you won’t turn up to find the playground doesn’t exist.
Things to do with kids in Archway: the local parks
Whittington Park, Holloway Road
Islington Council’s Whittington Park page lists a children’s playground with sand pits and a water play feature, a natural play area, two outdoor table tennis tables, a free outdoor gym, a wildlife pond and ecology garden, and accessible toilets in the playground. It is on Holloway Road, N19, and the council lists Archway tube and Upper Holloway station as nearby. Bring a ping-pong bat and a ball and you’ve got an hour of entertainment.
Elthorne Park, Hazellville Road
Just up the hill towards Hornsey Rise, Elthorne Park has children’s play areas with an accessible toilet, floodlit Astroturf pitches, a floodlit basketball court and floodlit outdoor gym equipment. The council says the pitches are free play and cannot be booked, so turn up with a ball and see who’s about. The walled peace garden is a nice quiet spot for a snack break.
Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill
A short walk up Highgate Hill, Camden Council lists Waterlow Park as having two small children’s play areas, six tennis courts and three ponds. The slopes make it a great place to get your own heart rate up while the kids explore. If you want a structured session there, my Waterlow Park outdoor workout is designed for exactly this.
A bit further: woods and old railway lines
Highgate Wood
The City of London’s Highgate Wood page lists a large playground, a café with a terrace, a sports field and accessible toilets (Radar key needed). Highgate station on the Northern line is about a 5-minute walk away. One important note: cycling is not allowed anywhere in the wood, to protect the ancient woodland, so leave the bikes at home. Closing times get earlier through autumn and winter, so check before an afternoon trip.
The Parkland Walk
The Parkland Walk nature reserve follows an old railway line between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Haringey Council says pedestrians have priority, and that the path is uneven in places and can be muddy after rain, so wellies are a good idea. Kids love spotting wildlife here; the council mentions hedgehogs, foxes, butterflies and birds. My Parkland Walk guide has more detail.
For a rainy morning
When the weather turns, Archway Library is behind Archway station at Hamlyn House, Highgate Hill. It’s closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but open on Saturdays from 9:30am to 5pm. Choose a book, then do a “walk home the long way” challenge.
How to make a weekend genuinely active
Going to the park is a great start, but standing by the swings with a coffee doesn’t do much for you. A few simple tweaks turn a park trip into real exercise for the whole family.
- Walk there, briskly. The NHS says brisk walking is about 3 miles per hour, where you can talk but couldn’t sing. Walking to Elthorne or Waterlow from most of Archway is a decent warm-up in itself.
- Use the free outdoor gyms. Both Whittington and Elthorne have one. Do three rounds of 10 squats, 10 incline press-ups and a 20-second plank while the kids play nearby.
- Set a kids’ challenge. How many laps of the path before lunch? Who can find five different leaves? Kids move more when there’s a game.
- Join in. Five minutes of tag or football is harder work than it looks, and children love it when parents play.
The NHS guidelines for children and young people suggest an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week. For adults, the NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week plus strength work on 2 or more days. An active Saturday and Sunday can cover a good chunk of both.
Where a bootcamp fits in
Weekends with the kids are about moving together and having fun. They are not always enough to build strength, and that’s where structured training helps. SYP Bootcamp runs indoors in Archway: 45-minute sessions, a maximum of 10 people, all fitness levels, £15 a class. It’s a planned slot just for you, close to home. See this week’s class times on the SYP Bootcamp booking page.
FAQs
Are there free things to do with kids in Archway?
Yes. Whittington Park and Elthorne Park both have children’s play areas and free outdoor gym equipment, according to Islington Council. Waterlow Park, Highgate Wood and the Parkland Walk are also free to visit and within easy reach of Archway.
Can kids cycle in Highgate Wood?
No. The City of London says cycling is not permitted anywhere in Highgate Wood to protect the ancient woodland. For family cycling, see my guide to cycling with kids in London.
What can I do with kids in Archway when it rains?
Archway Library at Hamlyn House is a good option on days it’s open. At home, try a living-room obstacle course with cushions, a “floor is lava” round or a dance-off to three songs. Short bursts like these still count towards their daily activity.
Your weekend starts here
Get the family moving at the weekend and look after your own fitness during the week. Come and try a class, there’s no pressure and no fancy kit needed. Book my £15 class or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you’d rather train with a partner, take a look at partner personal training in Archway, which works well for couples who want to fit sessions around the kids.
About the author
Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.
