Hey Raha blog · Kids' activities

London kids' activities guide: football, swimming and sports clubs

By Marie Adly · Last updated: 22 October 2026

Looking for after-school clubs in London? This guide lists kids' football, swimming and multi-sport providers in London, with what each offers, the ages it takes and where it runs, taken from the providers' own websites. It's not a ranking, no one has paid to be here, and there are no prices. Always confirm details with the club.

How this guide works

Alphabetical, not ranked. Providers are listed A to Z.
Facts come from each provider's website, checked on 22 October 2026. Anything we could not confirm on the provider's own page is marked UNCONFIRMED.
No prices. Fees vary by venue and term, so ask the provider.
Same format as our UAE kids' activities guide. Other cities: Doha, Riyadh, Manama, Jeddah, Muscat, Kuwait City.

Football, swimming and multi-sport providers in London

Better (GLL) leisure centres, junior activities

What they offer: Junior football, swimming lessons and holiday activities at council leisure centres. Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney and Thornton Heath in Croydon both list kids' programmes.
Ages: Varies by centre and activity; the centre pages list junior football groups from about age 5. UNCONFIRMED per centre
Where: Leisure centres across many London boroughs
Good to know: Timetables and venues change each term, so confirm with the provider before you sign up.
Website: www.better.org.uk

Hackney Anaconda Swim School

What they offer: A club-run swim school in East London.
Ages: From age 3, with group lessons from age 4 (UNCONFIRMED, recheck on site)
Where: Hackney
Good to know: Timetables and venues change each term, so confirm with the provider before you sign up.
Website: www.hackneyanaconda.org

Soul Sports Club

What they offer: Kids' sports classes including football, coached by FA-qualified coaches according to the club.
Ages: About 3 to 15 (UNCONFIRMED, recheck on site)
Where: Chelsea and Kensington
Good to know: Timetables and venues change each term, so confirm with the provider before you sign up.
Website: www.soulsportskids.com

swim!

What they offer: Children's swimming lessons, including baby classes.
Ages: Babies to about age 11 (UNCONFIRMED, recheck on site)
Where: Several pools; check the site for London venues
Good to know: Timetables and venues change each term, so confirm with the provider before you sign up.
Website: www.swim.co.uk

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How to choose the right club

Start with the school run. A great club across town is hard to keep up every week. Check the venue against pick-up.
Ask about a trial or taster session. Many clubs offer one.
Check the age groups. Ages are often grouped by school year, which differs between systems. Our year groups explained guide helps if you've moved country.
Check the term calendar. School holidays in London follow your borough or academy trust, so half-term clubs are booked well ahead. See our World Book Day 2027 in UK schools.

Keeping track of kit days and session times

Clubs send updates the same way schools do: emails, an app, a WhatsApp group. A moved session or a kit reminder is easy to miss. Our school emails survival guide covers a simple system for all of it.

Let Raha keep the week straight

Hey Raha reads your school emails and club emails, read-only, and turns them into one family plan. When a session moves or a kit day appears, she updates the plan and tells you on WhatsApp, and your nanny or helper gets her own version without fees or private notes.

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Marie, founder of Hey Raha

FAQ

What are good after-school activities for kids in London?
Football, swimming and multi-sport clubs are the most common. This guide lists providers in London alphabetically, with ages and venues from their own websites.

How old do children need to be to join a club in London?
It depends on the club. Swim schools often start with parent and baby classes, and football academies often start around age 3 to 5. Check each provider's age groups.

Do clubs offer trial sessions?
Many do. Ask the club directly before you sign up for a full term.

Does this guide include prices?
No. Fees change by venue, programme and term, so ask the provider.

Sources

Better (GLL) leisure centres, junior activities: www.better.org.uk (checked 22 Oct 2026)
Hackney Anaconda Swim School: www.hackneyanaconda.org (checked 22 Oct 2026)
Soul Sports Club: www.soulsportskids.com (checked 22 Oct 2026)
swim!: www.swim.co.uk (checked 22 Oct 2026)

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