New programme encourages children to play and stay fit
Published: Friday, January 30, 2026
Wandsworth’s Year of Play has taken another major step forward with the launch of the Active Kids 12-week Ready, Set, Run curriculum, designed to help children get active, train for a 2k or 5k, build strength and confidence, and enjoy movement as part of everyday life.
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Delivered in partnership with Active Kids, ON Running and Places Leisure, the targeted programme runs across ten primary schools, bringing new opportunities for children to move, play and explore.
Starting this month, more than 300 children have been taking part in weekly Ready, Set, Run sessions, developing strength, stamina and teamwork as they work towards completing a 2K or 5K run.
Funded by ON Running in partnership with Active Kids, the programme provides participating schools with free equipment, trained coaches and a structured, research-informed curriculum.
The Active Kids programme is a proven, scalable, sustainable, evidence-based curricula that is run in thousands of schools across the world, by parent volunteers, teachers, and trainers in low-income areas.
The programme was highlighted at Falconbrook Primary School, one of the flagship sites of the Year of Play and the Active Kids programme.
Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “Through our Year of Play, Wandsworth Moves Together strategy and through projects like Active Kids, we’re building a borough where every child has the opportunity to get active and have fun.”
Active Kids CEO, Kathleen Tullie said Falconbrook embodied exactly what the initiative aims to achieve: “We are thrilled to partner with Wandsworth Council on this pilot.
“At a time when sedentary lifestyles are increasingly engineered into childhood and physical and mental health challenges are on the rise, this launch represents an important step toward prevention.
“By providing access, inspiration, and joyful movement early, we can help every child build confidence, find their inner athlete, and make movement a natural part of everyday life. Life is not a spectator sport.”
With the delivery of new and improved playgrounds, inclusive facilities and community play opportunities, the Year of Play is transforming the borough’s commitment to children’s wellbeing.
The Active Kids programme strengthens Wandsworth’s ambition to make the borough one of the best places in London for children to grow and explore.
The programme will culminate on 25 April, when all participating students will be invited to a celebratory run at Battersea Park parkrun, where they will receive a t-shirt, water bottle and a commemorative medal in recognition of their commitment and achievements over the 12 weeks.
