Dark evenings, wet parks and a three-year-old with energy to burn: it’s a familiar winter in Brentwood and Shenfield. If you’re looking for toddler football in Brentwood that runs indoors whatever the weather, Footie Tots is our Saturday morning session for 3 and 4 year olds at Long Ridings Primary in Hutton. Here’s why winter movement matters so much at this age, what a session looks like, and where Footie Tots leads next.
How much activity does a 3 or 4 year old need?
More than most of us expect. The UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines say children aged 1 to 5 should aim for at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day, spread across the day. The guidance lists running, jumping, throwing and catching, games and playing as good examples, and says active children are healthier, happier, more school-ready and sleep better.
Three hours is easy in July. In December, when the garden is a mud bath and it’s dark by half four, it takes a bit more planning. A few ideas that work at home:
Corridor races and animal walks. Bear crawls, frog jumps and crab walks on the landing.
Sock ball games. Rolled-up socks make great soft balls for throwing at a target.
Dance breaks. Two songs between activities, every time.
Wrap up and walk. Even ten minutes outside in wellies counts.
And once a week, something structured where they move with other children and listen to a grown-up who isn’t you. That’s where Footie Tots fits.
Why indoor toddler football in Brentwood helps in winter
Footie Tots runs in the sports hall at Long Ridings Primary School, so it’s on rain or shine. But the bigger benefit isn’t staying dry. In a 45-minute session, little ones practise exactly the things reception teachers look for:
Listening: freezing on the whistle and following simple instructions.
Taking turns: waiting for their go and cheering the next child.
Joining a group: playing with children they don’t know yet.
Coordination: running, stopping, balancing, kicking and chasing a ball.
To them, it’s an adventure. Every game has a story built around colours, animals, shapes, numbers, transport or the people who help us. Dribbling becomes racing cars round a track. Tidying the cones becomes collecting ingredients for a soup.
What a Saturday session looks like
The routine is the same each week, so children feel safe and know what’s coming:
Welcome and free play, with you nearby
A themed movement game (no ball yet)
Dribbling and ball play
Passing or shooting games where everyone scores
Free play and a celebration, with parents joining in
Every session ends with certificates. Collect 5 for a pin badge, 10 for a medal, 15 for a trophy and 20 for a Compass Sports top.
Shy? That’s allowed
Lots of little ones spend week one holding your hand and watching. That counts. Nobody is forced to join in, parents stay close by, and Coach Isaac, who works in primary schools, is great at helping children settle at their own pace.
Footie Tots at a glance
Who: children aged 3 and 4
When: Saturdays, 9:00–9:45
Where: Long Ridings Primary School, Long Ridings Ave, Hutton, Brentwood CM13 1DU (indoors)
Group size: never more than 14 children
Cost: £30 a month, all in. No kit to buy, no sign-up fee
First session: free
Contract: none. Cancel with 30 days’ notice
Book a free Footie Tots session or read more about Footie Tots. Groups are small, so if a session is full when you look, join the waiting list on the booking page.
Not sure if your child is ready? Our 1-minute parent questionnaire gives you a free, personalised report and suggests the best next step for their age.
What comes next: football development sessions from Year 1
Footie Tots is the first step on a clear pathway. Once children start Year 1, they can move up to our Football Development Sessions, every Saturday from 10:15 to 11:15 at the same school.
Outdoor sessions built around a ball at every child’s feet
FA-qualified coaches and a maximum of 16 children per age group
A real curriculum: passing, receiving, dribbling, turning, protecting the ball and shooting
Girls-only sessions for Years 1–3 and Years 4–6
We’ve moved more than 130 players from our development sessions into grassroots clubs around Brentwood, Billericay, Hutton and Ingatestone. Older children in Year 3 and above can ask about small-group and 1-to-1 coaching.
Holiday camps for older brothers and sisters
If you’ve got a 5 to 12 year old too, our multi-sports holiday camps at Long Ridings Primary keep them busy in the school holidays:
Drop off from 8:00, pick up by 16:00
Up to 15 sports, plus themed days
£28 a day, last day free when you book the whole camp, and 10% off for siblings
A maximum of 12 children per coach
First-day money-back guarantee
For Essex community schools, the Christmas holiday runs from 21 to 31 December 2026 and the spring half term from 15 to 19 February 2027 (academies may differ, so check with your school). Keep an eye on the holiday camps page for our next camp dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 too young for football?
For football drills, yes. Footie Tots isn’t drills. It’s play-based sessions planned for 3 and 4 year olds that build listening, confidence and coordination, with a ball involved.
Are there indoor activities for toddlers in Brentwood at the weekend?
Yes. Footie Tots runs indoors in the sports hall at Long Ridings Primary in Hutton every Saturday from 9:00 to 9:45, so it goes ahead whatever the weather.
How much does Footie Tots cost?
£30 a month with no kit to buy and no sign-up fee. The first session is free and there’s no contract.
Do parents stay during the session?
Yes. You stay close by, and parents join in at the start and end of every session.
What age can my child join football development sessions?
From Year 1. Sessions run for Year 1 and Year 2 on Saturdays from 10:15 to 11:15, with girls-only groups and small-group or 1-to-1 options for older children.
Book their first Saturday
Winter is a brilliant time to start. A regular Saturday morning gives your little one something to look forward to, burns off energy and builds the confidence that helps when school starts.
Book a free Footie Tots session now, or explore our Football Development Sessions and holiday camps. Questions? Email info@compasssports.co.uk and the team will get back to you.