A new survey by Sport England has revealed that over half of children in Greater Essex are active, and there are plenty more opportunities to enjoy physical activities across Thurrock.
The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey found 51.6% of children in Greater Essex take part in physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day, which includes walking, cycling, scootering, active play, sport activities.
There are a range of free and low-cost ways parents and carers can help their child to keep active.
Find Your Active Thurrock
Working closely with local sports clubs, leisure centres and organisations, Find Your Active Thurrock regularly promotes physical activity, health and wellbeing.
From dance classes, family activities, sports clubs and SEND opportunities, their monthly ‘Free & Low Cost Physical Activities in Thurrock’ booklet is a great place to start their fitness journey.
Download the physical activity booklet
Exploring the great outdoors
There are plenty of stunning parks that families can enjoy across Thurrock, showcasing beautiful green spaces, wildlife, marshland and water.
To discover some of the parks in Thurrock, visit: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside
Impulse Leisure
With three locations across Thurrock Impulse Leisure offer a range of fun activities for children and young people.
Swimming lessons are available for children of all ages and abilities, and Belhus offers the opportunity to teach your child how to play golf, or even footgolf!
Young people aged 11-15 can also enjoy supervised gym sessions for under £20 a month.
Find out more about what’s on offer at Impulse Leisure
Grangewaters
Grangewaters is a year-round outdoor education centre set in Thurrock's countryside. It offers a wide range of activities for families to enjoy on land and water including abseiling, climbing, sailing, paddle boarding, and bushcraft.
Little ones aged 18 months to 5 years old can join the Wiggly Bugs group to explore nature, plant seeds, craft and enjoy messy play.
Find out more about Grangewaters
Cycling in Thurrock
There are plenty of places where your child can learn to ride on two (or four) wheels.
Thurrock's cycling map shows the location of cycling paths, roads suitable for cycling, cycle crossings and cycle parking.
Weekly walking group
Some of the libraries in Thurrock host a regular walking group for residents of all abilities and ages to get active, explore the borough and make new friends.
Learn more about the library walking groups
To read the full physical activity report, visit: Active Lives Children and Young People Survey - Academic year 2024-25