Finding the right family sports activities that everyone enjoys can sometimes feel like a challenge. Busy schedules, different age groups, and varied interests mean that parents, younger children, and older siblings don’t always want the same thing. Yet, that’s exactly why choosing the right sporting activities is so valuable – they keep the whole family moving and learning together.
The best family sports activities are ones that are fun, adaptable, and encourage everyone to get involved. Options like swimming, racket sports, and even simple outdoor games are a fantastic way to build skills, improve fitness, support mental health, and create unforgettable memories for people of all ages.
At Bluecoat Sports, we make it easy for families to enjoy staying active with options for every age group, from pool sessions to racket sports and dedicated activities for younger children. Ready to get started? Explore our family-friendly activities today.
For further information or assistance with booking or becoming a member, please get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to help.
Why family sports matter
SwimAfter a busy day of school, work, and household routines, it’s easy for exercise to slip out of the routine. Screens and schedules often compete for attention, leaving fewer opportunities for shared active hobbies. However, when family members can find time for sporting activities, there are many benefits:
- Healthy bodies: Regular physical activity strengthens the body, improves balance, and keeps kids moving throughout the year.
- Healthy minds: Exercise boosts mental health, reduces stress, and improves overall happiness.
- Skills for life: From hand-eye coordination in table tennis to teamwork during a mini sports day, children develop abilities that transfer beyond the court or pool.
- Quality time: Sports offer a great way to escape from screens, enjoy the great outdoors or indoor facilities, and create shared experiences that become lifelong memories.
When considered together, these benefits highlight why making time for family sports activities is so important. They don’t just promote fitness, they help strengthen bonds, support emotional well-being, and give every age group a chance to learn, play, and grow side by side.
Family-friendly activities at Bluecoat Sports
Understanding the value of family sports activities is one thing – but finding the right opportunities to put them into practice is another. That’s why Bluecoat Sports makes it simple, fun, and accessible for every age group to stay active, whether you’re looking for relaxed pool time, energetic play sessions, or friendly competition on the courts.
Here are some of our most popular activities for families:
Family Swim
Swimming is one of the best all-round sporting activities for the whole family. It builds endurance, strengthens the body, and teaches vital water safety skills.
Our Family Swim sessions are perfect for children to splash around with their parents, practice strokes, and are a fantastic way to get active while having fun in the water.
Each session is 45 minutes long, and you’re welcome to bring your own floats, inflatables, and toys to play with together.
Aqua Splash!
For families looking for excitement, our Aqua Splash sessions are designed for playful fun with foam floats, inflatables, sinkers, balls and games in the pool. These sessions are energetic and social, helping to keep children moving alongside their parents. Aqua Splash is very popular at Bluecoat Sports and is the perfect opportunity to spend time together as a family in the pool.
Each session is one hour long and runs on either Saturday or Sunday.
To see our swim sessions, check our Pool Timetable.
Racket sports
Racket sports are a brilliant way for families to stay active together, offering a balance of friendly competition, skill-building, and enjoyment. At Bluecoat Sports, we provide a range of options to ensure that every family member can get involved, regardless of their ability.
- Tennis: A classic sport that’s fantastic for improving hand-eye coordination, agility, and stamina. Families can rally together on our indoor and outdoor courts, making it suitable to enjoy all year round.
- Badminton: With lighter rackets and a fast-paced shuttlecock, badminton is easy for beginners to pick up while still offering a challenge for more experienced players. Families can play doubles to involve more people on court, making it ideal for those who want to mix fun with teamwork.
- Pickleball: Played with paddles and a lightweight ball on a court that’s smaller than a standard tennis court. It’s easy to learn, making it perfect for beginners and younger players, while still offering plenty of challenge for those who enjoy strategy and quick rallies. Families can play singles or doubles, making it a flexible and inclusive option.
- Squash: Perfect for families with older children or teens, squash is an energetic game played in a contained court. It’s a fantastic way to boost fitness, reaction time, and coordination, while providing players with a real workout in a short amount of time.
- Table tennis: Quick, exciting, and playable by most ages, table tennis is one of the easiest racket sports for the whole family to enjoy together. It’s excellent for improving focus and reflexes, and since it’s played indoors, it’s a reliable option regardless of the weather.
At Bluecoat Sports, you can easily book courts as a family, rotate games so everyone has a turn, or even mix things up by trying a new racket sport each week.
Activities for younger children and juniors
We’re also pleased to offer a range of activities specifically for the youngest members of your family. From gentle parent and baby classes to structured junior activities that help children build skills and confidence, we provide opportunities for every age group to get moving in ways that suit their needs.
Parent, baby, and toddler sessions
We offer a variety of parent and baby (and toddler) classes that make it easy to stay active while spending quality time with your little one. From gentle Waterbabes swim sessions for babies aged 3–18 months to Parent & Baby Pilates and Indoor Cycling, each class is designed to support you while keeping your child engaged and involved.
We also run popular Buggy Fit sessions, combining low-impact cardio with the chance to meet other parents. Led by friendly and experienced instructors, our classes provide a welcoming environment.
Discover our full list of parent and baby classes, along with timetable information.
Junior activites
As children grow, they need opportunities to explore independence, develop skills, and make new friends. From junior gym sessions to age-appropriate coaching in a range of sports (gymnastics, squash, football and more), these activities are tailored to help young people build strength, coordination, and self-confidence. They also encourage teamwork, discipline, and resilience – skills that support both sporting performance and everyday life.
Explore our junior activities by age group and find something that fits your schedule, including after-school activities.
More ideas to keep your family active
While our sessions provide structured opportunities, there are also plenty of simple ways to stay active together at home or outdoors. These ideas help to keep activity a natural part of your family routine:
- Cycling in local parks: Add a dose of fresh air and adventure to your week while building stamina and exploring together.
- Football or basketball in the garden: Classic games that keep the kids moving and give the whole family a chance to enjoy some friendly competition.
- Yoga or Tai Chi together: Gentle, mindful movement that complements more energetic sessions at the club and supports mental health.
- Dance and music sessions indoors: Put on a playlist and let the kids enjoy themselves, ideal for rainy days when you want to keep moving.
These activities are flexible, fun, and small ways to keep your family members active, connected, and smiling between your regular visits to the club.
Book for your family at Bluecoat Sports
It’s easy to get involved at Bluecoat Sports. Families can:
- Book family sessions for swimming, aqua splash, and racket sports
- Join parent and baby classes for the youngest age group
- Enrol children in junior activities designed for their needs
- Enjoy facilities and classes year-round, no matter the weather
Whether you want to add regular fitness activities to your family routine or want your child to learn and progress in a sport, our welcoming team is ready to help. Based in Christ’s Hospital, our state-of-the-art facilities offer incredible opportunities for fitness and fun for the whole family.
For help with booking or to enquire about membership, please call reception on 01403 247572.
Summary
Spending time together through family sports activities is one of the most rewarding ways to support your family’s health and happiness. Shared activities encourage children to stay active, help develop essential life skills like teamwork and resilience, and give every age group a chance to enjoy movement in a way that feels fun and natural.
From swimming and racket sports to simple games in the garden or a walk in the great outdoors, there are so many ways to keep your family members engaged and connected. Most importantly, these moments of activity help to create unforgettable memories, strengthen family bonds, and make staying active a natural part of your family routine.
Family sports FAQ
What are the best family sports activities for younger children?
The best options for younger kids are activities that are fun, safe, and easily adaptable to their abilities. Swimming is excellent for building water confidence, while table tennis encourages gentle competition and hand-eye coordination.
For babies and toddlers, parent and baby classes provide a supportive environment where parents and their little ones can bond through gentle exercise and play. These activities make it simple for the whole family to enjoy being active together.
How do sporting activities benefit kids’ mental health?
Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to boost children’s mental health. Sports release endorphins that improve mood, while also teaching essential skills like resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Joining in with family sports or group activities helps children make friends and feel part of a community, which is especially valuable for their emotional well-being. Over time, this establishes a solid foundation for managing stress and cultivating confidence.
How can I fit family sports into a busy weekly routine?
Start small by scheduling one or two regular activities each week, such as a family swim session or an outdoor bike ride on the weekend. Consistency is more important than intensity, and even brief periods of shared activity can make a significant difference. Building these moments into your family routine helps children see physical activity as a natural part of everyday life, rather than an extra task.
What sports are best for mixed-age groups in a family?
Activities like swimming and racket sports are great because they can be adapted for different skill levels. Table tennis and badminton are especially inclusive, as they’re easy to pick up and enjoyable for all ages. Team games, such as football, can also bring the whole family together, allowing everyone to join in at their own pace.
