Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

Chess clubs can be very competitive! My kid and a friend joined one and were surprised at how competitive it was. Maybe a chess class, OP, like at the US Chess Center. There is still competition among the kids while they do in-class practice games, the intensity depends on the mix that session, but the instructors work to cultivate a focus on learning and my kid never felt really upset on the days he lost. More along the lines of you win some, you lose some. But some kids are cutthroat bad sports and whisper trash talk even though they’re supposed to play in silence and get points deducted if caught.

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09/03/2023 08:08

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hiking, biking, kyaking, and fishing all great great things my 13 year old does in DC, VA, MD.

Same type of kids - now late teens.

Kayaking has been great for my non competitive kid. He can paddle for hours, stopping occasionally to explore along the water’s edge and chatting & paddling with whomever we’re with that day. His anxiety just disappears.

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09/03/2023 08:15

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could they do an inline skating program?
Would they enjoy working to clean green space?
A Chess club?

Chess clubs can be very competitive! My kid and a friend joined one and were surprised at how competitive it was. Maybe a chess class, OP, like at the US Chess Center. There is still competition among the kids while they do in-class practice games, the intensity depends on the mix that session, but the instructors work to cultivate a focus on learning and my kid never felt really upset on the days he lost. More along the lines of you win some, you lose some. But some kids are cutthroat bad sports and whisper trash talk even though they’re supposed to play in silence and get points deducted if caught.

This sounds like precisely the competitive DC achievement culture OP and her son are looking to avoid.

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09/03/2023 08:25

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

Any interest in music? There are great programs like School of Rock.

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09/03/2023 08:25

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could they do an inline skating program?
Would they enjoy working to clean green space?
A Chess club?

Chess clubs can be very competitive! My kid and a friend joined one and were surprised at how competitive it was. Maybe a chess class, OP, like at the US Chess Center. There is still competition among the kids while they do in-class practice games, the intensity depends on the mix that session, but the instructors work to cultivate a focus on learning and my kid never felt really upset on the days he lost. More along the lines of you win some, you lose some. But some kids are cutthroat bad sports and whisper trash talk even though they’re supposed to play in silence and get points deducted if caught.

This sounds like precisely the competitive DC achievement culture OP and her son are looking to avoid.

It’s a mixed bag. Sometimes great, sometimes not. No matter where you go or what you do, some kids may make things complicated and competitive. My kid did very well here and is a gentle soul and 100% not competitive by nature. He learned to ignore the trash talkers, let things roll off his back, and focus on the fun challenge of the game. Obviously it’s a “YMMV” thing.

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09/03/2023 08:42

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

THEATRE

or Stage Crew

Such a great group of kids, and with SC you can learn amazing skills.

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09/03/2023 08:45

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rock climbing, orchestra (not too late to pick up a brass instrument), ultimate frisbee, D and D or Magic the Gathering

How do you join D and D groups? Or Magic the Gathering groups?

My kids' MS and HS has after-school clubs for D&D, etc. That is how they were first introduced to them.

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09/03/2023 08:55

Subject: Laidback, non competitive activities for non-athletic kids

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Anonymous

You've told us what they don't like but you need to tell us what they DO like. Theater? Coding? Robotics? Role playing? What are their interests?