All children need at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, but young children cannot play some of contact sports their older brothers and sisters play. Children ages 6 to 7 may be ready to join some sports games. Most children under 6 are not ready to join an organized team. For team sports, the focus should be on sportsmanship: learning to win and lose with a positive attitude.
Court Games
Court games allow for year-round play inside the gym. Your child can learn both defense and offensive on a basketball team, or practice shooting skills in a game of HORSE and Knockout. HORSE teaches your child to make shots from all areas of the court, while Knockout teaches to grab rebounds and make shots at a fast, pressured pace. If you are worried about injuries, badminton, especially, poses little risk with just two players to a team hitting the soft birdie. Tennis suits a child who loves to hit things with his strong arm.
Field Games
If your kid has lots of energy and loves to run in the grass, soccer may be the perfect choice. Your child learns how to dribble, pass and score while improving her coordination and strengthening her leg muscles. Also played on the field, T-ball and softball promote hand-eye coordination as your child learns to hit, catch and throw. Your child can find her place on the team and hone her skill in her position, whether as the catcher, pitcher, outfielder or basewoman.
Blacktop Games
On the blacktop at school or at the local playground, your child can play a variety of sports games with just a ball and a piece of chalk to mark the playing field. A group of four children can play Four Square, which teaches timing as each child tries to hit the multipurpose ball after it bounces only once in his square. With a large group of children, your child can play dodgeball with a soft, lightweight ball for safety. Dodgeball teaches your child how to aim, throw, dodge and catch.
Children 5 and Under
Children under 6 may not be ready for organized sports because they are not able to follow complex directions and rules and play cooperatively as a team. A child age 5 and under can still play active games with her peers, such as tag, Duck Duck Goose and Red Light, Green Light. If you're looking to place your child in a sport, consider individual sports, such as gymnastics or swimming. At the preschool age, your child can learn to ride a bike with training wheels or take a dance class.
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