In 'normal' times, there are so many after-school and weekend sporting activities in our our household that sometimes my head spins.

But at the moment the usually jam-packed calendar is bare. Bemoans about boredom have replaced the frantic "hurry up, we're going to be late to [insert any sporting activity here]" exclamations.

And now with the school holidays upon us, your household might be desperately trying to cut down screen time while also trying to devise ways to keep the kids moving.

The Australian government Department of Health (health.gov.au) says: "Being active is important for children and young people to grow healthy, and set good habits for life."

It recommends children do at least 60 minutes each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. That could be broken into several shorter sessions through the day. On at least three days per week, they say kids should incorporate activities that strengthen muscle and bone, such as running, climbing, swinging on monkey bars or kicking a ball.

Shane Brollo runs a Soccejoeys program for kids throughout Newcastle and told me there were many simple and engaging ways to keep young ones moving during lockdown.

Soccajoeys aims to develop fundamental movement skills and body awareness as well as a healthy sense of self-confidence and well-being for pre-school and primary school aged children.

The program runs term by term at a range of locations around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Soccajoeys is on hold at the moment but Mr Brollo hopes to be back in action during term four.

In the meantime, he said there were many ways to keep kids active at home or at the park.

"Set up small circuits using paper plates or paper cups," Mr Brollo said. "Use the cups as cones and get them dribbling in and out. You can set up targets to knock off with a ball. For example, use building blocks and knock targets off them with the ball.

"The Soccajoeys program aims to build gross motor skills, confidence, self-esteem, social skills, but we use soccer as the tool. So, there is a lot of soccer but we do things like toe taps on the ball, which helps kids' balance, or get them to jump hurdles, or "crab walk" through ladders."

They are all things that can be set up at home with a little creativity.

Get the competitive juices flowing with races or see how many times kids can perform a certain exercise in an allotted time then get them to try to beat it on a second and third go.

It is also a great time of year to get out walking or cycling around your neighbourhood or to explore places like Glenrock State Conservation Area with the family.

Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.

Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.