Need the kids in activities before I lose my mind

[Anonymous]

I'm not in DC, but my daughter (4) has been in swim and dance since the summer, and I have never felt like it is particularly dangerous. At swim, all the parents are 6 ft apart, wearing masks, and not talking. At dance, there are only 2-4 kids in her class, all masked, all distanced, and the parents are distanced and not talking. Neither place has has any instances of covid since we started in the summer.

[Anonymous]

We've had kids in soccer for quite some time now and it's been great. Rec starts up in the spring. Also, we've done online karate for the kids through local academy here. You can do in-person but we opted for online only. Kids love it and they get lots of exercise.

[Anonymous]

Soccer is starting back up and I signed up my 5.5 year old for his first league! He’s done the skills classes before but he’s ready for his first league with real “games.” If you’re in Fairfax County they have the soccer skills classes for kids as young as 3. I’ve also seen posts on local FB groups advertising kids dance classes that are starting up in person at the various studios.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You kept them inside in the winter?

I don't understand some people.

Poors in apartments.

walking outside is free. I grew up poor and we were always going out for walks.

[Anonymous]

I would do swim lessons for both and soccer for the older one.

[Anonymous]

I'm right there with you, OP. We're signed up for spring soccer for our 6yo and outdoor camp this summer. She is not enjoying zoom dance class and fights it every week, but she loved in-person dance pre-covid. Not sure what to do with our 4yo but I'd like to look into gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

Tae Kwon Do for the older one. We've stuck with virtual classes for our 6 yr old, but they let a limited number of kids attend in person in outdoor classes.

I also saw that the county's spring catalog had some outdoor-only classes, like fencing. I'm sure someplace is doing outdoor-only tennis, soccer, and other sports.

The 3 yr old is tough. Maybe not a regular class but looking for workshops or single afternoon sessions would work. I'm thinking of some of the programs the nature centers used to have (not sure if they've resumed).

Hang in there though. I've got a 9 year old who doesn't want to do anything, so we also feel live we've lost a year of building on skills and socialization. And dragging them outside can be challenge too, so we've also been inside more than out this winter.

[Anonymous]

Winter around here sucks for that age group. I can only take so much time outside in the cold with a 4 and 6 year old who fight constantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Winter around here sucks for that age group. I can only take so much time outside in the cold with a 4 and 6 year old who fight constantly.

And half the time the six year old doesn't want to go outside at all. And when DH and I are working and his sister is at daycare, I only have so much energy to waste on trying to get him out of the house.

[Anonymous]

I agree that kids that young don’t need activities. My 11 yo has resumed swim team (year round), but my 7 yo hasn’t done any organized activities since the pandemic began. We do tons of hikes, bike rides, scooter rides, playground, etc. Sometimes with friends.

But if you want activities, I’d suggest soccer and then outdoor swimming once it’s warmer. I would not trust a 3 yo to distance or follow Covid protocols, but the 6 to should be all right.

[Anonymous]

I signed all three of mine up for outdoor swimming, OP, with FINS. Your older one could do it if convenient (in Rockville), and/or you could look into other swim lessons for the three year old.

Soccer is another great option for both.

[Anonymous]

I think most places are being really safe - we have lots of friends who have their kids in indoor activities - gymnastics, dance, robotics club. My 6YO is in basketball (through i9, which was suggested upthread and I +1 to that suggestion, he did t-ball in the fall), and my 4YO and 6YO are in swimming. In March they'll do tennis and April start baseball/blastball.

6YO is also signed up for lots of summer camps. Still looking for the 4YO.

[Anonymous]

We are doing swim (toll), baseball (koa), and dance (Bethesda Conservatory) with our 3 of similar ages. Seems safe and convenient.

[Anonymous]

tennis for the 6 year old

[Anonymous]

I know of a trainer who can go to your house. Super creative. Almost every week its something different. Works on balance, motor planning, hand eye coordination, other stuff too while your kids are just thinking of its just a fun workout. Look them up Neural Movement.