Seventeen focus groups were conducted with 113, 10–11 year old children, from 11 primary schools in Bristol, UK. Enjoyment was the most important factor in maintaining activity participation with participating in activity with friends a key factor influencing enjoyment. Physical activity was perceived as a positive attribute and linked to social status among boys. Among girls the association between physical activity ability and social status was more complex, appearing to differ by the norms of the group to which participants belonged. Some participants reported that low activity ability could be perceived as desirable in some social groups. Participants reported that friends provide support to initiate physical activity via co-participation (i.e. engaging in activity together).