In the past, children only exercised a few hours a week during school classes. Today it seems that they are more ‘restless’ and need activities to pass the time, so we must take into account what are the best sports for children, designed so that they can develop their skills, learn to work in teams and comply with the rules or discipline.

Love for sport begins at home

One of the main mistakes of parents is to add and add activities to their children ‘to occupy hours’ or ‘so that they do not spend it in front of the TV’. Although sport is very important from an early age, the truth is that the child should feel happy to participate in a championship or practice an exercise.

Sport is more than beneficial for children because it allows them to have stronger bones, maintain proper weight, lead a healthy lifestyle and also teach them about sacrifice, companionship, values, and solidarity.

The best way to instill a child’s love for exercise is to allow him to play outdoors as a baby: taking him to the park, the beach, the mountain or the garden reinforces his motor skills and allows him to relate the fun to the sport.

We cannot pretend that our children are ‘elite’ athletes or that they win trophies if we, as parents, do not start physical activity. If the child sees that at home the most common is to sit on the sofa to watch TV, it is difficult for him to have the will to play football, swim or ride a bicycle.

In the case of the little ones, collective sports are also very useful for socializing.

This does not mean that parents have to sign up at the gym and ride sports shoes from here to there, but at least go out as a family on weekends to enjoy the outdoor life, games with the ball or of walks with the dog. Do not forget that children are our reflection!

Sports for kids according to tastes and ages

Not all kids are the same but the good news is that there are dozens of sports available. You can do the test in several until you find the one you like best! Although your wish is for your child to be the new Messi, if he likes handball, allow him to do that discipline.

Age is a very important issue to consider when choosing kids’ sports. Although they can exercise from the age of three, it is recommended that they do it in a ‘formal’ way after the age of eight, when their physical and motor capacity is more developed.

And meanwhile? Quiet, there are options. The first sport that every child should experience is swimming. There are classes for babies and infants accompanied by their parents where they can learn about coordination and resistance through water games.

The important thing about sports for children is that they practice an activity that they like, that makes them feel good and that is not tedious or a commitment. Team disciplines are very interesting especially if the child does not have siblings or cousins of his age, and even if at school he is a little shy.

Of course, we must know the personality of our son before ‘sending’ him to practice a sport. Perhaps our desire (with good intention) is to be in contact with other children, to play outdoors or to lose weight but we must let him decide what he likes and support him in the choice he makes.

Any exercise will be beneficial for him and will help in his development to the extent that he practices it with a professional and with the appropriate elements.