What Sport Does Your Kid Play? Tell Me About It!

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

My DD 10 is taking tennis lessons now but doesn't enjoy them.

I need some ideas on a sport she would enjoy.

We've done soccer, and she's not interested in softball or swimming, so I'm looking for some unusual choices, ones that may not have crossed our minds.

Do your kids do unusual sports? What are they, what is it about the sport that they enjoy, and how much do you estimate that it costs you per year?

I'm really looking for as many opinions and ideas about sports, either team or individual, that I can get, thanks everyone!

And don't feel limited because she's a girl; we're looking at any sport a girl can do, not just ones that are typical to girls...

 

[MerMom60_94]

Hi KJJ - my daughter plays softball and she takes golf lessons. Softball is her first love but we are going into her third or fourth year of the golf lessons. If your DD could take to that sport, there aren't a lot of female golfers and we have been told there is a lot of scholarship money. Not that this is our main objective in choosing a sport, but it's good to know. Also, golf is big in the corporate world so it may come in handy when your DD goes out into the workplace some day. Oh, and my unsolicited word of advice is to see if she can find a friend who would like to take the lessons with her so she will have someone else to play with if she ever decides to continue. Right now our DD is stuck playing with us. It's great for a family activity, but I just get the feeling she would have a lot more fun if she were out there with a peer.

 

[turkeymama]

Both of my kids (DD8 and DS5), as well as my nephew (11) have taken martial arts classes. We are currently taking a break from them, but my nephew has worked his way up to a black belt already. They all really enjoyed it and there were lots of girls in the classes. They really need to be disciplined to do martial arts or else they won't make it very far. Lessons have run us around $100/month for 2 kiddos.

A mom that I chat with on one of our local forums has a son that takes fencing lessons. I have no idea about the cost, but he really seems to enjoy it.

 

[taximomfor4]

do you consider dance a sport? My oldest dd hated every sport she ever tried (gymnastics, swimming, softball, cheer, etc) until she started Irish Dance at age 11. For her classes, we pay about $360/ school year. Extra cost for summer session. Rent her dress at $90/year. Soft shoes are like $40. Hard shoes are like $130 (if new, not used...and usually not taught your first year). The popcorn socks are about $8, kickpants are about $10. For a year, therefore, about $638.

There are different prices for schools, though. Some charge a TON more and "strongly encourage" competing. Other schools are much cheaper, and/or don't prepare the dancers at ALL for competition.

But it's a super-fun way to exercise, gets the kids into great shape, is interesting and different, and they can compete/perform if they want.

 

[EthansMom]

Both of my kids swim. Though I'm not a swimmer, I love swimming (for my kids) for several reasons:

(1) It is a life skill that could save my kids' or someone else's life.

(2) Most swim teams are happy to have anyone of any ability since all swimmers can potentially add to the team's overall score at meets. (Slower swimmers race against slower swimmers and faster swimmers race against faster swimmers, with points from each race going towards the overall scores.)

(3) In competition, swimmers are racing against themselves (trying to improve their times) as much as against other swimmers.

(4) While it has a relatively low rate of injuries (compared to say, gymnastics), swimming burns a lot of calories.

(5) While there are some body types that seem to help swimmers be faster as they get older (long and lean), as younger kids, swimming is a great sport for all shapes and sizes. DD5 is very petite. When she swims, she keeps up with kids that are easily 50% taller than she is. On DS7's swim team last year, there were many kids who were a little on the heavier side.

They also have swimming in most of the high schools around here, so my kids could always swim on their high school teams when they get older, if that's what they want to do.

So, you might want to look at what sports are offered at the high school level.

Other different sports that are popular here in CT are lacrosse and rowing.

 

[kirbydog48]

My son has taken kung fu for the past year and loves it. He is not a "team sport" kid due to all his learning and behavior challenges, but kung fu has helped him in so many areas. There are several girls in the class, and they love flipping the boys! How about figure skating, horseback riding, canoeing or kayaking, archery, sailing?

 

[MELSMICE]

One of my DD's plays basketball & loves it.

Another great sport that is just starting to get more attention is lacrosse. It hasn't caught on as much with the younger kids like soccer, softball, so if your DD starts now & really likes it it could benefit her come high school.

I'm a dance instructor/school owner, so I give the thumbs up for dance also! What about cheerleading?

 

[MerMom60_94]

Actually, I have one more thought but it isn't my daughter's sport - it's mine. I'm as non-athletic as they come and not especially coordinated. Even though I golf, it is laughable and my DD is forever correcting my swing. So, what is my sport you ask???? Running!! I fight against my weight so I have to do something and I don't want anything competitive or team based. I need something I can do when I have the time and at my own pace. So, last summer I set my goal to run a 5K. I finished my first 5K in September and in May I ran a 10K. I know I will never win a race, but that isn't my goal. My goal is to finish a new distance, or beat a previous time. If you go onto Coolrunnings.com they have road races for kids posted. When your DD gets to high school she could run on the track team. I know this is as basic as it gets, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Perhaps there is a running club in your area that she could look into.

 

[merrily]

My son was a fencer. He really likes it but has decided to commit to soccer. Where he did fencing you did not have to buy their own equipment except a foil until they were at a more advanced level. The gear wasn't outrageously expensive and a years worth of lessons, 2 days/week and open fencing were about $800. It did cost extra to enter meets and fencers did need to have their own special equipment for that.

 

[5Slays]

My DD9 does cheerleading. She is taking this year off but is continuing doing tumbling classes. She loves tumbling and cheer! Tumbling classes is the type of activity, that you can start out at any age with any ability level and progress at your own pace. Good Luck finding something for your DD.

 

[Avalon_toon]

My son does basketball, soccer and swimming, nothing too unusual. But my nephew plays ultimate frisbee, otherwise just known as "ultimate." I haven't seen him play, but he says its way more challenging fitness-wise than long-distance running, a sport he is nationally ranked in. Sounds pretty cool to me!

 

[suejai]

DS17 plays hockey - but I'm assuming you're looking for a summer sport.
DS14 does archery. He quite enjoys it, but it can be quite frustrating as you are constantly battling against yourself to get the perfect form and aim.

Does she just not enjoy team sports? DS14 doesn't, and neither do I. My other suggestions would be golf, martial arts, or one from way out in left field - target shooting. If you are not against guns and have a club in your area it can be a very rewarding activity. Oh, oops just noticed that you DD is only 10, so maybe not.

What about cycling? I used to row, but I think she may be too young for that too.

 

[WDWMom]

2 of my kids do cross country. Cost - decent pair of running shoes. Around here $40 a season. DD18 isn't all that fast but also had a knee injury not related to running. DS13 could have potential. Both don't see it as a team sport but doing better time-wise on their own. Both know they will help the team if they run well, but over-all it is a beat your own time sport for them. It is also great to watch because you get to move around the courses. Most meets take around 30 minutes and then you are done and can go home.

DS13 also dives. The only cost is bathing suit along with lessons. We do the school recreation lessons which are $40 for 8 lessons. He is doing 32 this summer. Being on the swimming and diving team at school costs whatever the suit costs - around $30. Again, he does not see it as a competition as much as he likes to see himself do better as a diver and gain more points overall. He placed 2nd or 3rd at most of the meets this year as a 7th grader on a 7/8 team. Took 14 out of 29 at the conference meet. I love to watch the meets, but can't stand to watch practice. Never know when they are going to smack the water while learning a new dive.

DD18 and DS14 both run track. Good pair of running shoes in middle school and a pair of cleats in high school is all it cost.

DS14 also plays football. Cost - I don't really want to think about it pre-high school. But since you have a DD not to worry about it.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Neither of my kids ever seem to enjoy ball sports or team sports.

DD12 is a balck belt in karate. She loves karate. In the U.S. we paid $55 a month for the studio. She was expected to make at least 2 classes per week (4 were available and you could go to all four if you wanted). From what I understand that was a great price. Uniforms are simple and don't cost much (about $40 and we could buy big and let her grow and only bought about 1 per year). No special shoes to buy, etc. Here in Germany it costs a whopping 69 Euro for the YEAR

DD12 also climbed 2-3 days per week when we lived near a wall in Michigan. It was at our local recreation center and there was no extra charge beyond our annual membership to the center if I belayed her. I think we paid $30 for the intial courses to get certified. We bought her her own harness (for a better and more comfrotable fit) which ran about $50 I think.

DS10 is a dancer. In the U.S. I most recently paid about $85 a month for three classes (each meeting one hour a week). On top of that we spent about $50 per year per calss on shoes and about $65 per class for recital costumes. I coutned on another $100 per year for recital tickets, photos and DVDs.

DS10 has recently taken up fencing. He loves it. Lots of footwork and concertation involved. His teacher said it is dance and chess put together with swords I have no idea what it would cost in the U.S. Here it is 20 Euro a month and he can go every day if he wants (but should go twice a week) and includes all equipement--though he will need to buy a weapon eventually if he keeps at it.

DS10 also did archery during several summers and always enjoyed it. I think we paid $100 for twice a week for 8 weeks.

 

[amid chaos]

When DD was 10, she went to the ice rink every day during public skating and taught herself to skate. In september she put on hockey equipment for the first time and hasnt taken it off yet.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Not my DS - but I began riding horses (English) when I was about 8 yo and loved it - continue riding to this day. You can be as casual or as competitive as you want. It also teaches you responsibility and sportsmanship. Pony Club is a great way to get into riding as well as a great way to meet friends. The only downside is the cost. Lessons are about $30-50 an hour for group. Usually you would take one lesson a week to begin with. Warning though - if she does really get into it you are going to have to consider leasing or buying a pony/horse after about a year or two - and that can run you a considerable amount more. But....you can also do things to reduce costs like work in the barn on weekends to reduce board or to pay for lessons. If she is interested, definately do your homework - online is a good source, and talk to other parents with their kids at the barn - there is a wide range of barns from kid friendly to mostly adult, casual to competitive.....good luck, I give riding two big

 

[shortbun]

So far my son has tried and continues to play chess, outdoor and indoor soccer, basketball, swim team, track and lacrosse. He likes dodge ball and is very interested in football but I've discouraged it. I think you need to find a good rec center that has leagues for many sports and let her try them all. Excersize is just good for ya and kids also make life long friendships that way. Encourage her to have fun. I still dont' know the score of the soccer game or my son's time in track(he does) because I just want him to enjoy it. Chess is more competitive now since he's been playing for several years and I confess to being a very competitive mom when it comes to basketball. He's in a summer league right now where most of the players are not team players but gunning and running point guards who act like they never HEARD the word 'team' in their lives. The coaches are witless rubes(lol! I know I'm gonna take some heat for that comment. Yeah, I've coached and so has my husband) who say nothing, sit on the bench and yell 'box out!' any time our team is on defense. My kid passes and they act like someone has done something no one else has ever done before..... I gotta get off this thread, I can see I'm Waaaaaaay over passionate about this basketball thang it it's not even on topic. bye.

 

[IDoDis]

My 13 year old DD is a figure skater. She started taking group lessons (called "Learn to Skate") at one of our local rinks when she was 7 years old. The classes run in 6-8 week sessions (varies), then the coach gives them an observation skating test and they pass up to the next level. After about 6 months of that, I approached DD's favorite coach and asked about private lessons. We've been doing private lessons ever since with that coach and her twin sister. Sometimes DD goes skating with her non-skating friends or attends birthday parties at the rink and when her friends see her spin and do double jumps, they all scream with excitement.

Skating is a great sport. DD started doing competitions right away. Skaters can compete even at the most very basic level. We just got back from a huge competition last week. Aside from competitions, there's also skating shows, exhibitions and test sessions to participate in if she doesn't want to compete. She loves getting pretty skating dresses that we bling up with lots of crystals. I spent a lot less on them when she was a beginner and learned to buy used ones on ebay, but now we spend around $200 per dress on average. It is a pricey sport though when you factor in ice time, lessons, skates, dresses, and competition fees. It wouldn't be too much to get her started in group lessons though just to see if she likes it. Here's what it would cost to get going:

Beginner figure skates: $100ish (or she could use the rink rental skates at first to see if she likes it. If she does like the skating, I'd get her out of those skates ASAP. She'll love the sport a lot more if she's in good skates).

skating tights: $18.00 (or she could wear stretch pants and just wear some nylon socks, but the skating tights help keep her legs warmer)
practice skating dress (optional): $ $30 - 50 or less. They are all over ebay.
group lessons -- $85 per 6-8 week sessions 2X's week (some rinks also throw in a free public session each day of the lesson for extra practice time)
skate guards & soakers: $30 (I can help you out here if need be)
A bag to carry her stuff in. Most skaters use Zuca bags
http://www.zuca.com/ but she wouldn't have to have this. I found one on Craig's list (new) for $20 when my DD's started getting a lot of wear & tear on hers. Some girls use small carry-on roller suitcases, too.

If she really likes the sport and moves into private lessons, then those would cost anywhere from $15 - $25 per 20 or 30 minute lesson, depending on the coach. There are coaches who charge two and three times this amount if you want an olympic type of trainer, but for a beginning level, you should be able to find one for less. I'd ask around at the rink, and observe during the group lessons.

Most beginners start out just taking one or two private lessons a week. I'm a board member of our skating club, so if you want any more info on the sport, feel free to PM me.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I don't have kids, but I teach beginners fencing. Ten years is about as young as I take them, but it's great fun and good exercise. If your DD has been doing tennis (which is something of an individual sport) she might be looking for something similar, as opposed to a sport that is more team based. Fencing allows you to excel as an individual, while still strongly stressing fairness and good sportsmanship. Cost for a beginner's kit (non-electric equipment) is about $100, however, most beginners classes provide the equipment. I only encourage my students to buy their own if they really start getting serious.

One thing, fencing is a very mental sport, so it appeals to those with minds for strategy, however, at the same time it can be quite physical. The point is to whack people with a sword, and you will get whacked in turn. It can sting...and bruise. Some younger kids don't have the emotional ability to deal with that sort of thing.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Thank you for all the replies!

DD has been reading this thread over my shoulder, and she says that horseback riding (shocker), fencing, rock climbing, and ice skating sound interesting.

She's done rock climbing and ice skating before for fun, and she's good at them. I'm probably going to nix the rock climbing because I don't want to stand there with the belay line for hours while she climbs. I'm a dedicated mom, but not THAT dedicated.

She (and her younger dd) have had (and continue to have) dance classes once a week for years, so they definitely have that, but I think of dance benefits more along the line of coordination and posture than exercise (I've never seen them sweat when they dance, lol).

DH is very against horseback riding because, as he says "we own enough animals, I don't want to own a horse". I think we may try it; DD has been on horses at Disney (at FW), but never really has ridden on her own. I have some horse experience, enough to know I don't want to own a horse, but I think if she keeps it to a once a week lesson it's ok.

DH suggested that she try dirtbike motocross racing-he says if I'm going to put her on a thousand pound horse, a small dirtbike is no less dangerous. He has a point, and we'll probably go look at a kid's motocross race to see if DD likes it. I'm a little hesitant, although both DH and I have motorcycle licenses and DH rides, we don't really identify ourselves with biker culture or dirtbike culture. Still, it would be ignorant of me not to at least look at it and assess the benefits/risks.

She wants to try fencing but isn't sure she'd like fencing against boys. She's remarkably stoic so the idea of getting whacked with a foil is amusing to her.

I like the idea of ice skating the best, frankly, it meshes well with dancing and she likes it and is good at it. And there's a rink about 5 miles away.

She's competitive academically, but loathes having to do anything where she's part of a team (even academically), not because she doesn't like being social, (she does) but she hates being either the best or the worst person on a team.

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep 'em coming!