Top 10 Summer Sports Activities for Sydney School Kids

With the warmer season fast approaching, it’s time to get thinking about your kids’ summer sports activities. Many schools and sporting clubs have begun taking new enrolments for the summer – so you don’t want to be left out.

If you haven’t decided on what new summer sports your school-goer would like to try to keep active, fit, coordinated and healthy, you're in the right place. 

Top 10 Summer Sports Activities for Sydney School Kids

1. Nippers and Swimming 

Nippers

Water safety is a top priority in all our minds as parents—and even so when one of your favourite family summer activities is hanging out at the beach or swimming. Nippers is a great confidence-building activity for your young ones to learn about having fun in a safe beach environment.

The Junior program introduces kids from the ages 5-13 years to invaluable surf lifesaving skills that will stick to their souls for life! Little ones will gain confidence by passing the ‘tests’ of swimming, body boarding, beach sprints, dolphin-diving, spotting a rip, having fun with new friends and discovering things about themselves.

Clubs to Check Out

To find a Nippers club near you—visit Surf Life Saving Australia.

Swimming 

Clubs to Check Out

Des Renford Leisure Centre
Jersey Rd & Robey Street, Maroubra

Aquabuddies
54 Bream St, Coogee and Wairoa School Pool, Hastings Parade & Brighton Blvd, North Bondi

Mermaid Academy
The Swim School at Bondi Icebergs Pool, Bondi Beach

City of Sydney Pools
Multiple locations throughout the city.

In the Deep Swim School
558 Anzac Parade, Kingsford 

Tanyas Tadoples
Mobile Swim School if you have your own pool.

2. Soccer

Soccer is a great choice for a summer sport activity for kids. Easily tailored to every age and stage, there's so much to learn about fitness, coordination and teamwork through soccer. 

Clubs to Check Out

Goal Soccer Academy
Multiple locations throughout the Eastern Suburbs.

Kickeroos
Multiple locations throughout the Eastern Suburbs.

KIKOFF Soccer
Locations in Lakemba and Curl Curl 

Little Kickers
Multiple locations across Sydney.

3. Tennis

It’s game set and a match for kids who love tennis. Try out this racquetball sport if you reckon your child possesses good hand-eye coordination, has great agility and is a keen decision-maker.

Don’t worry if you think tennis might be a bit intimidating – programs suited to primary school-aged children are conducted on smaller courts, and use lighter racquets and low-compression balls that don’t bounce too high—making learning tennis fun and easy. This means that kids can start rallying and having fun right from their first lesson!

Clubs to Check Out

To find a tennis club near you—visit Hot Shots Tennis.

4. Basketball

If your kid is agile in playing ball and has keen team player abilities, why not let them have a go at basketball? This quick-paced game builds movement skills and confidence like no other. 

Clubs to Check Out

Easts Basketball League
9-13 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction

Little Boomers Basketball
Multiple locations throughout Sydney.

Aussie Hoops
Find a club near you with Australia's official introductory program.

5. Rugby

Dream about raising your own little Wallaby? Build your child’s rugby potential and give him/her the opportunity to improve their ball skills in an engaging group-play environment in this world-famous game. It's a great pick for a summer sports activity for kids!

Clubs to Check Out

To find a club near you—visit Sydney Junior Rugby Union.

6. Golf

If your child is more of a solo sportsperson, perhaps let him/her have a go at golf. The sport is great at helping your child develop skills like respect and perseverance while developing new motor and life skills along the way.

Clubs to Check Out

Pittwater Golf Centre
1500 Pittwater Road, Warriewood

To find a club near you—visit MyGolf.

7. Athletics

Does your child love running amok and have too much energy to burn? Get them into the uniquely Australian sport, Little Athletics and they could someday be an Olympic star.

This national program which includes running, jumping, throwing and walking events is specially modified to suit the ages and abilities of children.

Clubs to Check Out

To find an athletics club near you—visit Little Athletics NSW.

8. Sailing

As a huge continental mass, we Aussies love the water! But let’s face it, not everyone is a water baby. So perhaps a Jessica Watson sail around the world dream could be something your child aspires to?

Clubs to Check Out

To find a Tackers club near you—visit Australian Sailing Tackers.

9. Cycling

Does your family love going on bike rides? Why not give your child a chance at junior recreation cycling or racing? AusCycle has developed AusBike—a bike riding education program for 5-12-year-olds, designed to help your child learn bike handling skills and road safety.

They can also get involved in a variety of disciplines from road, track, MTB, BMX and cyclocross. 

Clubs to Check Out

To find a cycling club near you—visit AusBike. 

10. Cricket

As one of Australia’s most popular icons of our summer culture, how can we not consider cricket as a summer sport activity for kids?

If your offspring is bat and ball coordinated, let them have a go at the different game formats and develop social skills, physical fitness, sportsmanship and basic cricket knowledge.

Clubs to Check Out

To find a cricket club near you—visit Play Cricket.

More Outdoor Adventures

Sydney's Best Playgrounds by the Water
Secret Beaches in Sydney
The Best Cherry Picking Farms in NSW

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!