Kids need to play sports whenever possible; not only is it good for their health, but sports can teach them all kinds of important life lessons such as the joy of winning, how to be a good loser, and how to play well in a team. Regarding health, so much of what we do – as adults and children – is sedentary (we sit in the car or on a bus or train, we sit at a desk at work or school, we sit and watch TV or play video games) that any kind of exercise is massively important to keep us fit and to keep our weight at a healthy level, and as a parent, it’s crucial that we teach this to our children so they can grow up healthy. If you’re not sure which sports you should encourage your kids to try, here are some ideas.
Badminton
One of the best examples of a sport that’s easy to pick up but difficult to master, Badminton is a perfect sport for parents to play with kids. Whilst children can be worried about tennis or squash balls hitting them, the prospect of a shuttlecock’s impact is much less daunting for them. Add to this the fact that a careful parent can hit the shuttlecock in such a way that it lingers in the air and makes it easier to hit, and you can see how kids can be eased into the sport slowly.
Of course, anybody who’s played badminton will tell you that it can be far from an easy sport, with speed and agility being severely tested as you improve in competition. This means that it’s likely to keep your child’s attention long after picking up a racquet.
Best of all, there’s relatively little equipment you need to start up with. That being said, any badminton bags that hide the racquets away in whilst at home might be a worthy investment: the last thing you want to see is your little one practising his swing next to your glass figurines!
Rugby
Rugby is, of course, massively popular, and it is thought to be one of the best sports for kids to get into, but parents often balk at the idea because it’s also one in which injuries can easily occur. This is why it’s always best for your children to join a recognised training group rather than just run around with a ball. In this way, they’ll learn about the game, but also about how to take rugby hits and how to stay safe. Plus, they’ll have all the correct protective equipment.
With rugby, there is a lot to think about. You need to know about teamwork, endurance, agility, balance, knowing where your other players are, working out whether you can score or pass, and much more. Although it looks like a tough game, children as young as four can play, which will help them build up muscle and strength as they grow older.
Swimming
Swimming is a great all-round sport that works many different muscles within the body. It’s a skill that certainly needs learning; not many people can jump straight into a pool and start swimming safely after all. However, once that skill is learned, it won’t be forgotten, and it can come in useful when on holiday or out sailing, or near any body of water, for example.
One of the interesting things about swimming is that it doesn’t require teamwork: it is all about bettering yourself and becoming as good as you can be. Healthwise, swimming improves lung capacity and muscle strength.
Cycling
Kids love bikes, and they love to play on them, but cycling is actually a great sport for them to take up more seriously too. If you can’t decide on what type of bike you should buy, visit epicbicycles.com for tips on how to choose the perfect bike suited for your kids.
Cycling gives children a sense of pride because they have achieved a lot (perhaps more than they thought they could). It also gives them some freedom and independence, which is vital for their self-confidence levels.
Cycling means getting out into the open air and as well as being good for your physical health, this is good for your mental health too, reducing stress and worry and instilling a sense of peace and calm. Plus, cycling is something you can do with your child, and might even be a way to bond.