Find The Right Sport For Your Child's Age

Keep Your Kids ACTIVE
Children need at least an hour of physical activity every day to stay healthy, but which types of play are right for your child?

Click on the buttons below to learn the average ages when children reach milestones in physical development, and the physical activities and games that are best at each stage.

3 - 5 Years Old At 3-5, children aren't ready for competition or organized sports. They have a limited understanding of teamwork, strategy or rules. Individualized activities are more appropriate. Encourage your 3-5-year-old to climb, hang, walk, run, jump, hop, skip, gallop, slide, leap, pull, push, pedal, bat, kick, throw, strike (with paddles/rackets), and swing. Use games like "Hokey-Pokey" and "Simon Says" to teach left and right. Play "Follow the Leader" to foster balance and coordination. ACT ON IT! Now that you know the kinds of activities your children are ready for, try to make time in your life to get out there and be active with them. Or use community resources like schools, clubs, and city recreation departments to find out where you can get your kids started.

6 - 8 Years Old 6-8-year-olds still aren't ready for competition, but they are ready to start practicing teamwork in a non-competitive environment. They can: Play group games with small teams of 2-3 children. For example: Instead of trying basketball, take turns seeing how many balls each team can get in the basket. Learn how to swim, ice skate, rollerblade, or ride a tricycle Dance or do gymnastics. Play catch with different kinds of balls, varying the distance, height and speed of the tosses. 9 - 11 Years Old Most children are ready to try almost any activity, though weight training should wait until puberty. Many 9-11-year-olds begin to focus on specific athletic interests. Your child might prefer individual sports to team sports, or outdoor adventures like hiking or biking over indoor activities like dance. It's important to respect the interests of your child and support him. Encourage sportsmanship, and make sure your kids are working with qualified coaches in supportive environments. 12 - 16 Years Old If your teenager is athletic, encourage exploring new physical challenges while striking a balance between sports/exercise and other responsibilities. In addition to their other favorite activities, active teens are ready to try: Skiing Water-Skiing Mountain Climbing Adolescents who shy away from organized sports should still exercise regularly. They may be interested in: Dance Hiking Aerobics Weight training Martial arts Rollerblading Biking Swimming

MEDICAL REVIEW: Reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD, April 2005

SOURCE DOCUMENTATION: Kids in Action: Fitness for Kids Ages 1-5, Kellogg Company, National Association for Sport and Physical Education and The President's Council on Fitness and Sports, 2003; Get Fit! A Handbook for Youth Ages 6-17, The President's Council on Fitness and Sports, 2003.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This tool is for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It may not be right for you and should not be relied upon in making decisions about your health. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.

© 2004 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

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