The child’s leisure time

Last updated: 15/1-2024

Children have a right to play, rest and leisure time. A meaningful leisure time can be a support in the child’s development. Most children like to be with their friends during leisure time. It is common to use the internet, watch TV and listen to music. Many engage in more organised activities.

Five teenage girls playing basketball. One team has red and white jerseys, the other blue and white ones.

Photo: Colourbox

Most children in Sweden are engaged in a sports club at some time during their growing up. Approximately as many girls as boys are active. Sports clubs are common at all ages but the largest share of children who engage in sports is to be found among those aged 10-12. Common sports are football, riding, indoor bandy, tennis, swimming, ice hockey, gymnastics, handball, basketball and track and field.

Swedish sport is a democratic national activity. It is based upon membership in a club in which the members pay a membership fee. Many coaches in Swedish sport are parents of children in the club. Most of the coaches work without pay. Parents are often expected to help with activities in connection with their children's engaging in sports.

The culture school

The culture school gives children and young people opportunities to engage in artistic and cultural activities after school.

In the culture school, your child can, among other things, learn to play a musical instrument, sing, dance, act in a theatre, and devote itself to various art forms after school.

Libraries

Libraries are available to all. For children and young people the libraries often have other activities, games and entertainment. It is often possible to borrow computers with internet connections as well as to borrow films, games and audio books.

Daily reading affects the child's verbal capacity, school maturity, and school results. Story hours increase the child's vocabulary, reading comprehension, and capacity to express itself.

It is common that children start to use the internet at an early age.

Small children often look at short films. When the children are older, up to 10 years of age, game playing increases. Thereafter the interest in social media increases.

The Swedish Media Council (Statens Medieråd) has produced leaflets and videos to help you give your child good guidance.

At the recreation centres there are activities with employed leisure time counselors. The children can meet there outside of school hours. Activities, competitions, theme evenings and group projects are developed and planned in accordance with the young people's own desires and needs.

There is a strong club life i Sweden, with clubs for both children and adults.