There is consistent evidence showing that children’s physical activity levels decrease during school holidays and are particularly low at the point of returning to school following longer holidays.

Some school-environment based programs have been shown to have beneficial effects on children’s physical activity during the school term, but there is little consideration of physical activity during the school holidays. Most physical activity interventions have focused on the school day, with several national strategies encouraging more physical activity during term time (e.g., The Daily Mile, Active 30:30 ). It is recommended that children engage in an average of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day and activities which strengthen their muscles and bones three times per week, but evidence suggests that most children do not meet these recommendations. Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of disease, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, several forms of cancer, and depression. Holiday clubs were also a viable option, but the cost, location and age-appropriateness of provision inhibit parents signing older children up to these regularly. Grandparents were the primary source of informal childcare, despite a perception that children were not as physically active when with them.

However, work commitments in the holidays meant many parents had to rely on both informal and formal childcare. The data revealed that most parents consider their child’s physical activity levels when planning for the school holidays. Data were analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive content analysis to explore parents’ perceptions of holiday-based physical activity and the factors associated with how they provide physical activity opportunities for their children. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 42 parents of children aged 10–11 years in July 2017 or March 2018. This paper sought to explore parents’ perceptions of their child’s physical activity during school holidays and the factors that influence holiday activity-based decision making. Little is known about the factors that influence parents’ decision to enrol their child in organised activity such as holiday clubs. Less structured days and reduced participation in organised activities may account for some of the decrease. Children’s physical activity decreases during school holidays.

Camp Club Girls by Janice Thompson