SUMMARY
We investigated school children’s intentions to participate or not to participate in physicalactivities. The empirical material is a six month field study with participant observationand qualitative interviews in a Danish seven grade class. The article’s theoretical standpointis social practice theory and critical psychology.Almost all school children are physically active, especially in their leisure time. Duringschool hours we do not see the exact same picture. For the participants it is of key importanceto socialize with friends, to participate and to avoid social exclusion, but not tobe physically active. The article illustrates how the school context is a contributor to thepatterning of physical activity and physical inactivity.