Other ideas of sports for a 6 year old boy

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old has not shown much interest when we've signed him up for soccer or baseball in the past. It's fine, I don't really care if he does either of those. But I would like to continue to encourage him on sports, without forcing him. I also know he's still quite young - though in this DC area, it seems like kids start sports so early and if you aren't already doing something by age 8, it's almost "too late" (not really, but it feels like that). Are there other sports for this age that I might try, which might spark his interest in moving around and athletics? He's had some coordination issues, and he's just never been a rough-and-tumble, climbing everywhere or sporty kid. I think he's probably still too young or uncoordinated to do basketball. Would love other ideas of things that were perhaps low pressure but sparked an interest with your kids. thanks!

[Anonymous]

Instead of team sports maybe a solo sport like tennis or golf. Or try martial arts?

[Anonymous]

swimming
track (this was a good one for me)
parkour
rock climbing
martial arts
hiking/orienteering/geocaching (not really a sport but...)
tumbling/gymnastics
dance (again not a sport but physical activity)
bowling
roller skating
ice skating
bicycling

[Anonymous]

I agree with martial arts- it's really a confidence booster and also teaches self control and regulation.

Fencing is another one.

[Anonymous]

Gymnastics is great for boys that age.

[Anonymous]

My kid hated baseball and just ran around randomly in soccer, but was captivated by basketball from the very beginning. There are lots of "beginner baller" classes to get started.

[Anonymous]

None of my kids showed any real interest in sports at age 6 (behind seeing their friends and maybe the after-game snack). I think it is normal.

We just tried to expose to a wide variety of things that fit our own schedules and weren’t too costly (tried to stick to rec leagues) and often tried to signup with kids and families we liked. I found it more about socialization than anything, really.

I don’t think age 6 is reflective of what a kid’s interests may be down the road.

I definitely echo the martial arts recommendation. All three of my kids did martial arts at some point- only one stuck with it but all benefitted. Golf, tennis, swim team etc are also great. Lacrosse is certainly popular but he is probably too young?

I would also look at your local community rec program offerings and places like the JCC. Our local JCC offered some unique sports classes that my kids enjoyed at various times (things like “mini triathalon” classes, and other general sports/exercise classes that were fun and different). We signed up for a lot of that sort of thing when my kids were in early elementary- I liked that things were affordable priced and low commitment. I’m not a fan of anything serious or pricey for that age. Rarely worth the time/effort or $.

[Anonymous]

My kid was never really into team sports, but liked aikido, swimming, gymnastics, dance, and rock climbing. As kids get older, there are other options: archery, fencing, cross-country, crew, etc. The classic team sports aren't for everyone.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of the great ideas. I do agree that not wanting to do sports at 6 doesn't necessarily mean they won't want to do something later. But I have had the experience with my older DD who also didn't want to do any of the usual sports when she was younger (soccer) and now is really against anything "competitive", which she seems to use to refer to team sports. It doesn't really matter, except that I think she is then left out from friend groups who all know each other from soccer or softball or whatever. And I just want to try and avoid this for my son, while recognizing that of course, every kid is different and he might just not want to do it. Thank you for all of the ideas - I will look into several.

[Anonymous]

My son started fencing when he was 7. Great sport!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the gymnastics rec and maybe wrestling? I know you said not rough and tumble, but it could give him confidence to do that in a semi controlled environment.

[Anonymous]

Cricket

[Anonymous]

My non-sporty kid likes tennis.

[Anonymous]

Hockey

[Anonymous]

DS started iceskating a few months ago. The lessons are 30 minutes long so it's "easy" to fit into a schedule and not too long that DS doesn't feel bored, discouraged, etc. It's piqued his interest in hockey now that he can actually skate.