Beat summer boredom and get your kids active at Barking Sporthouse

The Sporthouse incorporates an indoor skatepark (Image: Archant)

If you find yourself asking: what activities are there to do over the summer holidays in Barking and Dagenham, you’re certainly not alone.

With six weeks off school right around the corner, the pressure to find great days out for kids is a stress that any parent will know only too well.

Luckily enough, the community has a hub of activities featuring everything from a trampoline park to climbing facilities and an indoor skatepark to a 200-station gym, right on our doorstep.

Barking Sporthouse and Gym, in Lodge Avenue, is the place to be for family days out this summer thanks to its varied and fun-filled range of things to.

General Manager Shabaz Hussain says: “We offer families lots of different activities and a good day out here, with the chance to get a bite to eat afterwards. Because plenty of our facilities are inside, the weather never hinders the fun.”

With 14 different walls, climbers of all abilities can test themselves at Barking Sporthouse & Gym (Image: Archant)

The centre’s Extreme Trampoline Park, which opened together with its Skate Park in 2015, is a big favourite among younger children. Facilities include a foam pit, free jump area and performance beds. The minimum age for visitors is 18 months, which makes it a great place for toddlers to enjoy their first taste of trampolining.

“Our trampoline park offers a great value day out in east London” continues Shabaz.

“Prices start from £7.95 and we have sessions for those with disabilities for only £3. These run on weekdays and offer disabled people full access to our facilities – they are very popular in term times.”

Trampolining is a fantastic way for children to get active, play and have fun, but a common worry for parents is a simple one: are trampoline parks safe?

Barking Sporthouse is a member of the International Assocation of Trampoline Parks (a global forum representing trampoline parks) and do regular due diligence in terms of health and safety.

The centre is also working towards achieving a Publicly Available Standard, which will help minimise risks to park users by setting out rules on construction, maintenance and operation.

Away from the trampoline park, the centre also incorporates Better Extreme Climb, which provides a number of fun adventure climbing walls designed to challenge both children and adults.

“We have 14 walls each with different obstacles, and even some capable adult climbers can struggle with the tougher ones!” continues Shabaz.

“Our climb facility is really good for a team-building day out. It’s great for bonding as some will find it easier and some will find it challenging – and you have to work together.

“In a normal week you’ll have everything from families with young children to city-slickers enjoying our climbing walls.”

Once guests are finished bouncing around the free jump area or scaling a climbing wall, they might also want to head to the Better Extreme Skatepark, which is yet another of the fun summer holiday activities on offer at the Sporthouse.

Shabaz adds: “We’re one of a handful of indoor skate parks in London. You can come in and get your regular fix of skating here – you’re not at the mercy of the weather.

“We’re not just about filling the place; we’re all about the community. Barking Sporthouse is a destination venue where you can come and spend half a day if you want to. We’ve got all of these things under one roof!”

Facilities at the Sporthouse are rounded off with a gym, studio, sports hall and an outside basketball court, while the Better Coffee Corner offers visitors a chance to refresh and relax after their visit.

To plan a day out with the kids at Barking Sporthouse & Gym, head to their website or call 020 3859 6358. Barking Sporthouse, Mayesbrook Park, Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 2JR