How to make friends with other active families
“Does your family want to join us for a hike?” my friend texted.
“We sure do!” I quickly replied. “Tell me when and where, and we’ll be there.”
Before receiving my friend’s text, I had no plan to be active that day. It was a bit wet and chilly, and I wasn’t particularly motivated to do much. Suddenly, though, I was excited to meet with our friends for an adventure.
For years, I hoped to find a friend like this. Someone with common interests who can get me off the couch and active with my children. As a mother of five, I’ve experienced the struggle of meeting and making friends with other active families, but I’ve discovered some tips and tricks along the way. It comes down to seeking out like-minded people, getting resourceful with where you search, and being proactive.
Here’s why making friends with active families can be a game-changer and also some tips and tricks for how to meet them.
After all, we all need a friend that calls and says, “Let’s go on an active adventure together!”
Why make friends with active families?
The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommend that people between the ages of 18 to 64 spend at least 21 minutes a day being active while children ages five to 17 should spend at least 60 minutes a day being active. Now I don’t know about you, but I find that it can be challenging to stay active in the hustle and bustle of family life. One trick I’ve found, however, is that making friends with fellow active families and parents really helps.
Why does it help? Well, we humans are influenced by the people that surround us. Our family, good friends, and even acquaintances can affect what we eat, what we buy, how much we sleep we get, and even (you guessed it) how active we are. Who you hang out with and who your kids are spending time with impacts how active your family will be, and the more active your friends are, the more active your family will be. If you want your family to be active, hanging out with active friends can make a big difference.
How can you find active families?
Despite living hyperconnected lives, it can be challenging to find friends that want to be active, especially with kids in tow, but it’s not impossible.
The first question to ask yourself is: how does your family enjoy being active?
Do you like playing at the park, going on nature walks together, kicking a ball around, biking through the neighbourhood, swimming at the pool, or hitting the slopes? There are plenty of great ways to be active, but knowing your family’s own interests will narrow the playing field when it comes to finding active families. For example, my family enjoys wandering in nature and cross-country skiing. We also like swimming, indoors and outdoors, bouldering at the local climbing gym, and biking along easy trails. Once you have an idea of the types of activities your family enjoys, you can start looking to meet people. Here are some suggestions.
1. Work the sidelines
Active families hang out in a variety of places. One way to find them is to frequent the places they’re likely to hang out. If you’re looking for families that enjoy being active at a park, visit your local play park. If you’re looking for families that enjoy being active at the pool, go to the pool. If you’re looking for families that enjoy being active through sports, hang out and work the sidelines. Regardless of where you’re heading, strategically (but not creepily) place yourself near fellow parents, put your phone away and strike up a conversation (gulp!). Yes, this takes courage, especially if you’re an introvert, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the response. If you aren’t sure what to say to a fellow parent, start with some common ground. If your kids are on sports teams together, you can ask: How is your child enjoying [the sport]? How long has your child been playing [the sport]?
2. Take part in community recreation
Many communities provide low-cost or free active activities for children and families and taking part in them is a great way to connect with other active families. You can find many of these events listed in your community’s recreation guide or by searching online for community events. Look for activities like family fun runs, free community skate days, drop-in classes, and more. I’ve met and made new friendships with great families this way.
3. Search online
Another great idea is to find active families through online platforms. Social media platforms have pages, groups, or events that cater to active families. Check out Facebook groups or Meetup in your area for these options. If you can’t find anything, post a comment on your local parents’ social media group that you’re looking to connect with other active families. Without a doubt, someone is looking for a friend just like you!
4. Start a group
If you’ve worked the sidelines, attended local recreation events, searched online, and are still struggling to connect with active families, then there’s another option: start your own group! Not long ago, I did just this. Wanting to build up the community of families being active outdoors in my city, I started a local Facebook group for outdoor moms. I expected a few parents to join, but only a few months later there were over 300 members. Through this group, I’ve met some lovely families that are fast becoming close friends.
Making new friends can take time and effort. As parents, we’re often so busy caring for our families that we don’t have much spare time or energy for cultivating friendships. With that being said, I encourage you to try seeking out other active families and connecting with them. In the end, you’ll meet and make friends with other active families and together you can support each another in being active for life.
