Sports are great for helping children grow up healthy. Kids naturally want to move around, which is really important for their development. However, these days, kids don’t get enough movement or variety in their activities. Living in cramped city spaces, using cars instead of walking, spending time watching TV, and sitting by computers mean kids are moving less. This can lead to things like bad posture, gaining extra weight, or accidents caused by poor coordination, lack of experience, or misjudging their abilities. The more active and experienced a child is, the less likely they are to get hurt.
That’s why it’s so crucial to encourage kids to move and actively provide them with opportunities to do so. Starting them on regular sports, like joining a team or club, is a great way to get them moving. But many parents wonder what sport is best for their child and worry about the risks involved.
Top 5 Sports For Kids
1. Badminton
Badminton is not the same as casual backyard games; it’s played indoors and can be both an individual and team sport (doubles). The goal is to get the shuttlecock over the net into the opponent’s side so they can’t return it. Games are won by sets, with girls needing 11 points and boys 15 to win a set. It’s suitable for kids from age 7, with short-handle rackets available for younger players.
2. Soccer
Soccer is a popular team sport often played on outdoor fields of ash or grass, and sometimes indoors during winter tournaments. The objective is to score by kicking the ball into the opposing team’s goal while defending your own. For primary school kids, teams consist of seven players, including a goalkeeper, and are played on smaller fields. As they get older, the standard 11-player format is used.
3. Hockey
Hockey is a game played with sticks and can be enjoyed in different styles, like field, indoor, or grass hockey. Two teams, each with ten outfield players and a goalkeeper, compete against each other. Mixed teams can start playing from the age of 4, with competitions beginning from age 6.
4. Inline Skating
Unlike roller skating, inline skates have four wheels in a line. The movement is similar to ice skating, which allows kids to move quickly on sidewalks. It’s great for boosting coordination, balance, and endurance. Inline skating doesn’t put much strain on the joints, making it a good choice for overweight children. It’s the third most popular leisure sport for kids after soccer and basketball. In traffic, inline skaters are considered pedestrians and should use sidewalks.
5. Athletics
Athletics includes various running, jumping, and throwing events. At a younger age, these activities are familiar movements that kids naturally do, which clubs can help them refine. Specialization in a specific event usually comes later. Training might include running, coordination, strength exercises, and technique drills. All athletic disciplines benefit from a mix of strength, endurance, speed, coordination, and technique, though the focus varies with each event.