Activities For Youth In Seattle

"Men's Fitness" named Seattle as America's Fittest City in 2005. The publication used 14 criteria, including air quality, sports participation and available recreational facilities. The northwestern Washington city regularly makes the magazine's annual survey, finishing 7th in 2008 and 8th in 2009. The fitness activities just aren't for adults, however, as kids have plenty of sporting options to choose from.

Golf

The First Tee of Greater Seattle program teaches kids life skills through the game of golf. Participants learn how to putt and drive, along with nine core values--judgment, honesty, integrity, respect, sportsmanship, responsibility, confidence, courtesy and perseverance. The First Tee of Greater Seattle serves more than 1,000 kids between the ages of 8 and 18 every year at Jackson Park Golf Course, Jefferson Park Golf Course, the Crossroads Golf Course in nearby Bellevue and the Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent. Additionally, First Tee teaches more than 23,000 students through its programs offered in physical education classes in area public schools.

Organized Sports

The Seattle Parks and Recreation department offers a variety of sports teams and leagues for kids ages 6 to 17. They include programs in basketball, cross country, flag football, softball, track and field, ultimate Frisbee and volleyball. Additionally, kids can play in the Seattle Youth Soccer Association and Little League Baseball. Children receive instruction, in addition to playing games.

Tennis

Kids can dream of being the next Roger Federer or Serena Williams at the Amy Yee Tennis Center. The venue has four outdoor courts and 10 indoor courts. Children can take lessons or play their friends and family members during open sessions.

Swimming

In Seattle, the School of FISH is for humans. FISH, short for Fun Instruction in our Swimming Holes, is a program for beginning swimmers in elementary school and middle school and their parents. Each swimmer must be accompanied by an adult. Instructors teach basic skills like breath holding, bubble blowing and back floating. Additionally, kids 18 and under can compete in a recreational swim league.

Boating

Kids can also have fun above the water. The Green Lake Small Craft Center teaches children to canoe, kayak, row and sail. Parents should note that Washington law mandates kids 12 and under to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket or a life vest on vessels less than 19 feet long, according to the Seattle Parks and Recreation website.