The Best Ways to Get Kids to Play Sports When They Hate Team Sports
We usually associate children with fun play, outdoor play on hot summer days, and intense play during recess. However, not all children are the same, and some of them simply don’t like sports or what we traditionally think of as exercise. Whether it’s a general aversion to exercise or a dislike of team sports, kids may be uncomfortable, but it’s clear that exercise is still important to them . And you can encourage your kids to move around without forcing them to join the baseball league they hate.
Physical activity options for a child who is not prone to physical activity
Nemours Children’s Health recommends the following activities for kids who don’t want to pick up a bat or chase a soccer ball:
- Swimming
- Horseback riding
- Dance lessons
- Skating
- To ride a bike
- cheerleading
- skateboarding
- Hiking
- Golf
- Tennis
- Fencing
- Gymnastics
- Martial arts
- Yoga (or other fitness activities)
- Ultimate frisbee
- Run
Others you might consider are skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, or classic recess games like kickball, dodgeball, or tag. Set up a relay race in your backyard or set up an obstacle course.
Get creative with what you do (and what you call it)
Sometimes getting your kids to move is all about how you create it. Don’t put too much pressure on them to exercise because they have to; find a way to make it enjoyable for them individually. If they like sand between their toes, organize a beach volleyball game. If they love the water, buy pool passes this summer. If they love the outdoors, take them on a scenic hike—or, as Lifehacker staff writer (and mom) Sarah Shawfety calls them to please your kids, “nature walks.”
I understand these kids because I was that kid. Team sports made me nervous, as did the prospect of running towards the ball while a handful of other, more nimble and aggressive kids were running towards it. It wasn’t until early adulthood that I realized that I really enjoy playing sports, just in different ways, and now I’m an indoor cycling instructor. Children can skip the “I hate exercise” phase entirely if you can identify what they enjoy and include those elements in the activities you plan for them.