Half Term Activities for Active Kids in North London
It is the Monday of half term. By 10am the kids have already asked for the tablet three times, someone is bouncing off the sofa, and you are wondering how to get through five days without losing your mind or your budget. I have been there with plenty of parents I train, and the answer is rarely a big expensive day out. The best half term activities for active kids are simple, local and planned just enough that you are not making it up at 9am every morning.
Here is the approach I suggest to the mums and dads in my classes in Archway: a light plan, a few free outdoor options, a rainy day backup, and a little bit of movement for you too.
Why half term activities for active kids matter
The NHS physical activity guidelines for children and young people say 5 to 18 year olds should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week, and should break up long periods of sitting. During term time, a lot of that happens without you thinking about it: the walk to school, PE, running around the playground. Take all that away for a week and the screen time quietly fills the gap.
So the goal for half term is not to turn your kids into athletes. It is just to put back the movement that school normally provides. If you want more detail on the numbers, I have written about how much exercise children need.
A simple half term plan that actually works
Do not plan every hour. Plan one active thing per day, ideally in the morning, when energy is high and the weather is usually kinder. Everything after lunch can be slower.
- Monday: a big local walk. Pick a route with something at the end: a playground, a café, a hill to roll down. Around here, the Parkland Walk, Highgate Wood, Waterlow Park and Hampstead Heath are all within reach of Archway.
- Tuesday: a “mini Olympics” at the park. Sprint races, standing long jump, hopping on one leg, a bear crawl race. Write scores on your phone. Kids love a leaderboard.
- Wednesday: bikes or scooters. Even a loop of the park counts. Let older kids lead the route.
- Thursday: rainy day backup. Indoor obstacle course with cushions, a living room dance-off, or a family circuit (more on that below).
- Friday: kids choose. Giving them the final day keeps them bought in all week.
If the weather wrecks the plan, just swap days. The point is to have options ready so you are not deciding from scratch.
Free outdoor ideas around North London
You do not need to pay for activities to keep kids moving. A few ideas that cost nothing:
- Leaf hunts and tree climbing. Autumn half term is perfect for this. Give younger kids a list: five different leaf colours, a conker, a stick shaped like a letter.
- Hill sprints. Any slope will do. Race up, walk down. Five rounds and everyone is puffed out and laughing.
- Follow the leader. Take turns leading: skipping, side steps, giant strides, hopping over cracks.
- Ball games. A football or a tennis ball covers hours. Catching games are great for younger children’s coordination.
For route ideas, have a look at my guide to family walks in North London.
Rainy day activities that still get them moving
London weather in October is a gamble, so have a couple of indoor options ready. Try a 10-minute family circuit in the living room. Set a timer for 30 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest:
- Star jumps
- Bear crawls across the room
- Wall sit (see who lasts longest)
- Animal walks: frog jumps, crab walks
- Balloon keepy-uppy (the balloon must not touch the floor)
Go round twice. It takes ten minutes, burns off some energy before lunch, and you get some movement in too. A cushion obstacle course or a “floor is lava” game works just as well for little ones.
Do not forget yourself
Half term is often when parents’ own routines fall apart. Your usual gym slot or class clashes with childcare, and before you know it the week is gone. Two things help. First, join in with what the kids are doing: if they are racing up a hill, race too. Second, try to protect one or two short sessions for you, even if it means swapping childcare with a partner or friend for an hour.
This is exactly why I run SYP Bootcamp the way I do. Classes are 45 minutes, indoors in a church hall in Archway, with a maximum of 10 people, so you can get in, train properly and get back to the kids. You can see this week’s class times on the booking page and pick the one that fits around your half term plans.
FAQs
How can I keep my kids active in half term without spending money?
Use parks, walks and games that need little or no kit. Local green spaces, a ball, scooters and a few simple races cover most days. Indoor circuits and dance games work for wet days. The main cost is a bit of planning the night before.
How much exercise should children get each day?
The NHS says children and young people aged 5 to 18 should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week, plus activities that strengthen muscles and bones, and should cut down on long periods of sitting.
What can I do with active kids on a rainy half term day?
Try a short living room circuit, an obstacle course with cushions, a dance-off, balloon keepy-uppy or animal walks. Short bursts with breaks work better than trying to keep them going for an hour.
Keep yourself moving this half term
Your kids need movement this week, and so do you. If you want 45 minutes that is just for you, in a small, friendly group where nobody judges your fitness level, book my £15 class and check the class times that suit you. Questions first? Message me on WhatsApp on 07301 512215.
And if you would rather train together as a couple once the kids are back at school, have a look at partner personal training in Archway.
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.
