There are days when you don't need an elaborate activity, an expensive day out or hours of planning to create great family memories.
Sometimes, you just need a swimming bag.
We recently spent an afternoon at North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth, and it was one of those wonderfully simple family days where everyone came home tired, happy and having actually spent time together.
And for a family trying to reduce screen time, swimming has a lot going for it.
🏊 A natural screen-free activity
One of the biggest benefits of going swimming as a family is that screens simply don't fit into the activity.
Phones and tablets can be locked away, left in the changing room or - even better - left at home.
There are no notifications to check, videos to watch or games to play.
Instead, the children are busy splashing, swimming, climbing, sliding and exploring while parents get involved too.
For children who are used to reaching for a screen whenever they're bored, activities like swimming are a great reminder that fun doesn't need a screen attached to it.
And because you're all in the water together, it naturally becomes something you do with your children rather than something you provide for them.
👨👩👧👦 It's proper family time
One of the things I loved most about our afternoon was simply watching everyone have fun together.
Swimming creates so many opportunities for interaction:
- Racing each other across the pool
- Playing with floats
- Splashing and laughing
- Helping younger children explore the water
- Going down slides together
- Playing in the waves
- Discovering different parts of the pool
These might sound like little things, but they're exactly the sort of experiences children remember.
And they're the moments that can easily be missed when everyone is sitting in the same room but absorbed in their own screen.
💪 Exercise without feeling like exercise
Getting children active doesn't always have to mean organised sports, exercise classes or dragging them outside for a walk.
Swimming is exercise disguised as fun.
Children are constantly moving in the water - kicking, paddling, climbing, jumping and playing - without necessarily thinking of it as “exercise”.
It's also an activity the whole family can enjoy together, making it much easier to turn being active into a normal part of family life.
And after an energetic afternoon in the pool?
There's a good chance everyone will sleep well too! 😴
💦 Why we loved North Herts Leisure Centre
The pool at North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth was particularly good for younger children.
There is a dedicated baby and toddler pool with a small slide and fountain, as well as shallow areas in the main pool.
There are also waves to enjoy and a water slide with lights inside, which was a huge hit.
That combination makes it particularly appealing if you have children of different ages because there are plenty of things for younger children to enjoy while older children can have a little more adventure.
For families with under-fives, having shallow areas and dedicated toddler facilities can make a huge difference to how enjoyable - and manageable - a swimming trip feels.
💷 Our money-saving tip
Here's something worth checking before you book your next swimming trip.
Everyone Active offers free guest/day passes for people aged 16+ at participating centres, with the pass allowing use of the pools and other included facilities at the chosen site, subject to the centre's terms and availability.
That could make a family swimming trip considerably more affordable because, depending on the centre and the current offer, you may only need to pay for the children's admission.
North Herts Leisure Centre is listed among Everyone Active's participating centres, so it's definitely worth checking the current arrangements before you visit.
👉 Find your nearest Everyone Active centre:
https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/
Always check the individual centre's current swimming timetable, admission arrangements and pass terms before travelling.
📵 What makes swimming so good for screen-free families?
We're often told that reducing screen time means finding lots of alternative activities to keep children entertained.
But I think there's another way of looking at it.
We don't always need to replace screens with something equally stimulating.
Sometimes we just need to give children opportunities to experience real life again.
Swimming gives them:
Movement - their bodies are active and engaged.
Social interaction - they're talking, laughing and playing with other people.
Sensory experiences - water, splashing, movement and different temperatures provide plenty to explore.
Problem-solving - navigating the pool, slides and different activities encourages children to work things out.
Family connection - parents aren't simply supervising from the sidelines; they can be part of the fun.
And perhaps most importantly, there isn't a screen competing for their attention.
🌊 You don't need an expensive day out
Family days out can quickly become expensive, particularly when you have several children.
That's why swimming is worth considering.
You don't necessarily need to travel miles, buy expensive attractions or spend a fortune on entertainment.
A local leisure centre, some swimming costumes and a couple of hours together can be enough to create a brilliant afternoon.
And if you can take advantage of a free adult pass or other local swimming offer, it can become even more affordable.
❤️ Give it a try
If you're looking for something to do with the kids this week, why not put the screens away, grab the swimming bags and head to your local pool?
You might be surprised by just how much fun you can have together.
Our afternoon at North Herts Leisure Centre was a brilliant reminder that screen-free family time doesn't have to be complicated.
Sometimes it's as simple as getting in the water.
Swim. Splash. Laugh. Play.
And make some memories while you're at it. 💙
Find an Everyone Active centre near you
If you'd like to see whether there's an Everyone Active leisure centre in your area, you can search their centre directory here:
https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/
Please check your chosen centre's current opening times, swimming sessions, admission prices and any free-pass eligibility before visiting, as arrangements can vary between centres.