Childhood should be full of movement, whether that means garden games, weekend sports clubs, or running around after school. But across the UK, keeping children active is becoming an increasingly important conversation.
In the 2006/07 academic year, 17.5% of Year 6 children were obese, rising to 22.1% by 2023/24. A further 13.8% are classed as overweight, meaning over a third, 35.9%, are above a healthy weight.1
Physical activity has a vital role to play. Not only does exercise help keep them fit and healthy, but it also has many physical, mental, and social benefits to aid their development.2
With this in mind, this study looks at how children across the UK are staying active, which activities are growing or declining in popularity, and the barriers parents face when trying to keep children moving.
One way to encourage children to physically exercise is to engage them in hobbies, games, and sports.
Whether that is playing with garden toys like climbing frames and swimming pools, or joining organised sports teams, there are many ways to get your children excited about moving their bodies.
Key takeaways from the study
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Football is the most popular sport, with 35.3% of children playing regularly outside school.
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58% of parents say the cost of activities is a barrier to their child participating in physical activity.
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Nearly 1 in 4 parents (24%) have switched their child to a cheaper sport due to rising costs.
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Running has seen the biggest decline in participation, with the share of children taking part falling by 4.1 percentage points.
The activities keeping children moving after school
Children’s hobbies outside the classroom are far from one-size-fits-all. Across the 39 sports studied, 6.6% of all children take part on average.
With around 9.03 million school-aged children in England, this equates to an average of 596,140 children per sport.3
| Rank | Activity | Children participating outside of school hours once a week or more |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Football | 35.3% |
| 2 | Dance | 27.2% |
| 3 | Swimming (and diving) | 22.6% |
| 4 | Gym or fitness | 20.7% |
| 5 | Running, jogging, cross-country, the Daily Mile | 20.5% |
| 6 | Trampolining (including in a garden, at a trampoline centre, or as part of a club) | 17.3% |
| 7 | Cycling | 15.6% |
| 8 | Basketball | 11.1% |
| 9 | Gymnastics | 10.8% |
| 10 | Boxing | 6.7% |
1. Football is the most popular physical activity among children, with 35.3% playing it outside of school
Football stands well above every other activity, with participation levels 8.1 percentage points higher than its closest rival. This amounts to roughly 3.2 million school-aged children in England who play regularly.
Its popularity could be down to how easy it is to play, requiring little more than a ball and some open space. Additionally, its significant cultural presence, as the most-watched and widely followed sport in the UK, inspires youngsters to participate.4
2. Dance is the second most popular physical activity for children, 27.2% of all children dance in their spare time
Dance also attracts a significantly higher share of children than the average activity, with an estimated 2.5 million taking part nationwide – over a quarter of the school-aged population.
Its popularity is likely driven by its inclusivity and variety, offering something for different interests and ability levels. The influence of social media, alongside popular TV shows and competitions, also helps keep dance visible and appealing to younger audiences.5
3. Swimming is enjoyed by 22.6% of children, making it the third most popular physical activity for kids
Despite worrying data showing that fewer UK children than ever can swim, swimming remains a staple activity for children.6
Unlike many other sports, it is often encouraged from a young age as an essential life skill, which helps maintain consistently high engagement. Its accessibility through local leisure centres and primary schools, which must provide swimming lessons to children, gives youngsters a taste of swimming.
Children’s sports growing in popularity across England
Children’s activity habits are changing, and several sports are starting to stand out.
By comparing the percentage of children taking part in each activity outside school hours at least once a week in 2024/25 with participation levels in 2017/18, we found that a third of the activities analysed have become more popular.
Across these rising sports, participation increased by an average of one percentage point.
| Rank | Activity | Change in participation (percentage points) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Football | 3.4 |
| 2 | Basketball | 1.6 |
| 3 | Dance | 1.4 |
| 4 | Cricket | 1.3 |
| 5 | Badminton | 1.2 |
| 6 | Skateboarding, roller skating, and blading | 1.1 |
| 7 | Boxing | 0.8 |
| 8 | Table tennis, ping pong | 0.6 |
| 9 | Cheerleading | 0.5 |
| 10 | Tennis | 0.2 |
1. Playing football is increasing in popularity amongst children more than any other sport
Football’s not only the most played sport by kids in general, but it’s only getting more popular.
Its continued growth could signal expanding appeal among a broader audience, particularly following the success of the Lionesses, which has helped drive increased participation among girls.7
Grassroots investment and greater visibility of women’s football have made the sport feel more inclusive and accessible. Combined with its low barrier to entry, this has helped football strengthen its already dominant position.
2. Basketball is the second-fastest-growing sport for children
Basketball’s rise in popularity is likely driven by its strong presence in global youth culture, particularly through social media and the NBA. Basketball’s fast pace and frequent scoring appeal to short-form social content favoured by youth.8
The sport is easy to pick up in urban environments, requiring minimal equipment and space compared to many traditional team sports - it is also easy to practice alone.
3. Dance has increased in popularity amongst children
Dance continues to grow as it becomes increasingly visible and trend-driven, particularly through platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Viral routines and online challenges have made it more engaging and accessible for children to take part outside of structured classes.9
This blend of creativity, self-expression, and social influence has helped drive sustained growth in participation.
The activities seeing the biggest drop in children taking part
Children’s interests can shift quickly, and the activities they choose outside school are no exception. While some sports are gaining ground, others are seeing participation slip.
Across the 39 activities analysed, 16 have seen fewer children take part, with the average participation rate dropping slightly by 0.1 percentage points.
| Rank | Activity | Change in participation (percentage points) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Running, jogging, cross-country, the Daily Mile | -4.1 |
| 2 | Cycling for fun or fitness | -3.2 |
| 3 | Trampolining (including in a garden, at a trampoline centre, or as part of a club) | -3.1 |
| 4 | Hockey | -1.7 |
| 5 | Swimming (and diving) | -1.2 |
| 6 | Rugby | -0.6 |
| 6 | Rounders | -0.6 |
| 8 | Gymnastics | -0.5 |
| 8 | Track and field athletics | -0.5 |
| 10 | Judo, karate, taekwondo and other martial arts | -0.4 |
1. Children are running less
Running has seen the sharpest decline of any activity, suggesting it may struggle to compete with more structured or social sports. Unlike team sports, running can feel repetitive or less engaging for children, particularly when there is no clear goal or group setting.
There are also growing concerns around safety and supervision, with many parents less comfortable allowing children to run or play independently outdoors than in previous generations.10
2. Cycling has seen a significant drop in participation amongst children
Cycling participation appears to be affected by a mix of cost and safety concerns. Bikes, maintenance, and safety equipment can be expensive, particularly since children quickly outgrow them, and access to a suitable bike is not universal.
At the same time, parental concerns around road safety, traffic, and a lack of cycling infrastructure can discourage regular use, making cycling feel less accessible despite its benefits.11
3. Fewer children are bouncing on a trampoline
Trampolining’s decline may be linked to practical barriers around space and cost, particularly for at-home use.
Large garden trampolines require significant outdoor space and can be expensive to buy, making them less viable for many families. Furthermore, the risk of injury from falls from trampolines is a worry for parents, and regular supervision may be needed.12
What parents actually think: A survey of their children’s activity habits and how they’re influenced by costs
Keeping children active is one thing. Paying for clubs, classes, sports teams, and weekly activities is another.
To understand what this looks like for families, we surveyed parents about the activities their children take part in, how much they spend, and whether cost affects how often their children can get involved.
We also looked at how answers differ across regions and cities, showing where children’s activity habits vary and where families may be feeling the financial pressure most.
The majority of parents think that the cost of activities is a barrier to their children participating in physical activity
For many families, the challenge is not just finding an activity their child enjoys. It is finding one they can keep paying for.
In our survey, 58% of parents said cost was at least a slight barrier to their child taking part in activities. And it is easy to see why. Many sports come with extra costs beyond the activity itself, including specialist clothing, equipment, subscription fees, and travel.13
| Rank | How much of a barrier is cost when it comes to your child participating in sports or physical activities? | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not a barrier at all | 42% |
| 2 | A slight barrier | 33% |
| 3 | A moderate barrier | 17% |
| 4 | A significant barrier | 8% |
How cost barriers vary across the UK:
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Scottish parents found finances to be a significant barrier to their children participating in sports. North of the border, 14% said it was a significant barrier, almost double the average of 8%.
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Finances are less of a barrier in Central England than anywhere else, 61% of parents said that money wasn’t a barrier, 25% more than in Northern England.
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No parents in Northern Ireland think finances are a significant barrier; the next-lowest figure is 5% in Wales.
Almost a quarter of parents had to move their children to a cheaper sport due to increased costs
For lots of families, keeping kids active is starting to mean getting a little more creative. Almost a quarter of British parents surveyed, 24%, said rising costs have pushed them towards cheaper sports or activities for their children.
That does not have to mean less fun, though. From garden games to kickabouts in the park, there are plenty of simple, lower-cost ways to help children run, jump, climb, play, and burn off energy.
| Rank | Have rising costs changed how your child participates in sports or physical activities in the past 12 months? (Select all that apply) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes, we switched to a cheaper activity | 24% |
| 2 | Yes, we reduced the number of activities | 23% |
| 3 | No, costs have not changed participation | 22% |
| 4 | Yes, we reduced how often they attend | 17% |
| 5 | Yes, we stopped one or more activities completely | 10% |
| 6 | Yes, we delayed buying the equipment or kit | 9% |
| 7 | Not sure | 5% |
| 8 | Yes, we avoided competitions or events due to cost | 4% |
But for some families, the pressure is harder to work around. One in 10 parents said they have had to stop their child’s activities altogether, which can mean missing out on the physical, mental, and social benefits that regular activity can bring.
Still, not every child’s routine has changed. More than one in five parents, 22%, said rising costs had not affected their child’s participation, showing that while cost is a growing concern, many families are still finding ways to keep activity part of everyday life.
Where families are cutting back or switching activities:
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Children in Northern England have been hit hardest, 16% of parents said that they had stopped one or more activities.
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Conversely, in Northern Ireland, 0% of parents surveyed had to stop any activities.
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In Central England, 38% of parents switched their children to a cheaper activity, 11 percentage points higher than in Scotland, where 27% did so.
The paid activities children are taking part in most
When parents told us which sports or physical activities they currently pay for outside school, one sport came out comfortably on top: football.
That matches what we have seen elsewhere in the study, with football standing out as one of the clearest favourites for children’s activity. However, this survey question focuses specifically on paid-for activities, so it is likely to capture clubs, lessons, teams, and organised sessions more strongly than informal play.
This may also explain why dance appears lower in the parent survey than in the wider participation data. While some children attend paid dance classes, many may also dance at home, with friends, or as part of everyday play, meaning parents may not think of it in the same way as activities like football, swimming, or tennis, which are more commonly linked to formal sessions and specialist spaces.
| Rank | Which sports or physical activities does your child currently participate in that you pay for outside of school? (Select all that apply) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Football | 44% |
| 2 | Swimming | 28% |
| 3 | Tennis | 19% |
| 4 | Dance | 14% |
| 5 | Cricket | 11% |
| 6 | Gymnastics | 11% |
| 7 | Rugby | 10% |
| 8 | Martial arts (e.g. karate, judo, taekwondo) | 9% |
| 9 | Athletics / running | 6% |
| 9 | Basketball / Netball | 6% |
Where football leads, and where other activities take the top spot:
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Wales and Central England are the only regions where football is not the most popular sport among kids; instead, swimming tops the rankings.
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The highest participation rate for any sport in a region is football in Northern Ireland, with 57% of Northern Irish kids participating.
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Outdoor activities are most prevalent in Northern England and Scotland, perhaps due to the large national parks in those areas.
How families can keep children active without the high costs
Alex Price, Product Manager at outdoortoys, explains how parents can help children stay active in affordable, accessible ways:
“Encouraging children to stay active has never been more important, yet this research highlights a growing tension between the benefits of physical activity and the financial pressures facing families. While many children are still engaging in popular sports like football, dance, and swimming, cost remains a clear barrier for a significant proportion of parents. This is particularly concerning given the well-established physical, mental, and social benefits of regular exercise during childhood.
“However, staying active does not always need to come with a high price tag. Many of the most popular activities, such as football, basketball, or running, can be done at little to no cost with minimal equipment. Often, councils and communities will run activities for children in local parks, school facilities or community spaces which are more accessible and affordable.
“Free or low-cost clubs, informal play, and at-home activities with garden toys can also provide valuable opportunities for children to stay active without expensive memberships or equipment. Ultimately, making physical activity accessible is key. By encouraging flexible, low-cost ways to move and play, parents can help ensure their children reap the benefits of an active lifestyle, regardless of budget.”
Methodology
outdoortoys is one of the UK’s leading online retailers of high-quality outdoor toys for children of all ages. From swing sets and scooters to ride-ons and climbing frames, our mission is to help families embrace the outdoors safely and confidently.
To help parents better understand the relationship between activity costs and participation levels, we have created this report. Additionally, the report highlights which activities are more affordable and growing in popularity amongst children using the following methodology:
1. Participation data
Participation rates were sourced from https://activelives.sportengland.org/ and cover children aged 5-16 across England.
We calculated the percentage of children who participated in each activity outside of school hours at least once a week, using the most recent year available (academic year 2024-25) and comparing these rates with those from academic year 2017-18.
Changes are shown in percentage points (pp).
2. Survey data
We conducted a survey of 1,000 UK parents with children aged 5-16. To qualify, respondents had to:
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Have at least one child participating in sports or physical activities outside of school.
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Personally contribute financially to those activities.
Additional sources
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Nuffield Trust - Child obesity stats - https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/obesity
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School Sport Foundation - Importance of physical activity for children - https://school-sport-foundation.com/blog/how-physical-activity-enhances-childrens-cognitive-abilities/
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GOV.UK - Number of school-aged children - https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25
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Morning Advertiser - Popularity of football - https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/01/02/most-popular-televised-sports-to-watch-in-pubs/
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Red Bull - How social media is making dance popular - https://www.redbull.com/au-en/how-tiktok-is-making-dance-bigger
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Swim England - Stats on the number of children who can swim - https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/active-lives-children-young-people-survey-2024/
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BBC News - Rise in girls playing football - https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67638352
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Eurobasket - Rise in popularity of basketball - https://www.eurobasket.com/United-Kingdom/news/982949/Why-Basketball-Continues-to-Grow-in-Popularity-Across-the-UK
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Red Bull - How social media is making dance popular - https://www.redbull.com/au-en/how-tiktok-is-making-dance-bigger
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Yahoo - Parent safety worries - https://guce.yahoo.com/e/consent/collect
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All Kids Bike - Declining numbers of children cycling - https://allkidsbike.org/why-fewer-kids-ride-bikes-today-and-what-were-doing-about-it/
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Mayo Clinic - Potential injuries from trampolines - https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/pediatrics/news/when-its-kids-vs-trampolines-kids-often-lose/mac-20431484
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BBC Wales - Cost of kit stopping child participation in sports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67625590