money worry
New research, from Petits Filous, suggests keeping kids busy comes at a cost as a fifth of parents are paying £7 on average for their children’s after school activities.
A third of parents questioned said they would like their kids to do more after school activities, however, over half admitted they can’t afford it, while other reasons included a lack of after school clubs and children not being interested in the ones that are available.
Nationally, swimming is by far the most popular thanks to Olympians such as Rebecca Adlington and Tom Daley, with 37 per cent of the nation’s parents saying their kids hit the pool after school.
But it’s not just swimming that children enjoy – other after school activities that parents say their kids would enjoy include snowboarding, go-karting and wall-climbing.
Taking part in sports, craft activities and creative play is much better for a child’s physical, mental, emotional and social development than spending hour upon hour in front of the TV..."
In response to the findings Petits Filous and Frubes have joined forces to launch the Petits Filous & Frubes After School Club – a national initiative to help parents encourage youngsters to take up the challenge to try a new sport or activity.
The Club offers a whole range of exciting after school activities FREE with points collected from packs of Petits Filous or Frubes.
The initiative launches in September 2012 and points can be collected from any purchase of Petits Filous or Frubes. Free sessions can then be claimed by visiting www.petitsfilousafterschoolclub.com and activities are available at a range of national organisations as well as regional independents.
Commenting on the importance of extra-curricular activity Sue Palmer, expert in child development and education, said: “After-school clubs can be a great way of keeping children active and engaged, learning new skills, socialising with their friends and developing self-confidence.
"Taking part in sports, craft activities and creative play is much better for a child’s physical, mental, emotional and social development than spending hour upon hour in front of the TV or on computer games.
“The momentum created by the Olympics has the whole nation ready to take up a challenge, which could be anything from joining a swimming club to enjoying arts and crafts, and it will be great to see children across the UK participating in a new activity as a result of the Petits Filous & Frubes After School Club," she added.
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