Getting kids into sports has been something parents have been doing for a long time. Sometimes it seems like some parents only had a child so they could introduce them to the joys of sport!
Of course, there are loads of benefits to getting kids into sports. There are the obvious physical benefits. People who play sports from a young age are better at getting into the habit of staying fit. That’s not just getting fit – it’s staying fit throughout their lives. Sports can also be great self-esteem boosters, as well as providing good social opportunities. In fact, Mike Sievert (CEO of T-Mobile) has mentioned playing sports as a kid was crucial in developing his early leadership skills. If you’ve been thinking about getting your child into a sport, you should just go ahead and do it.
But what sport should you introduce them to? It seems that parents tend to get their children into the same kinds of sports. American football and baseball are obvious ones; you can’t walk down the street without meeting someone who played those as a kid! Soccer (or what the rest of the world just calls football) is also very popular. Heck, even golf has been a famous father-son pastime for centuries! While all of those sports have their own benefits, why not consider some more unconventional sports?
Here is a quick list of sports that we feel are underappreciated. They have great benefits and have the added “cool” factor of being a little niche! Why not consider trying out one of these with your children? In case your kids are interested in table games, bestgametables.com has good options for you.
Lacrosse
Many people have a lot of misconceptions about lacrosse. One of those is that it’s a “girl’s sport”, one that isn’t much more than the easy task of throwing a ball around with a net. But the chances are that these people haven’t actually seen a lacrosse game up close. Lacrosse is widely known among professionals as the fastest sport that one can play on two feet. (Though, of course, sometimes slow and steady wins the race). It’s hectic, very physical, and absolutely exhilarating. It’s a contact sport and a very visceral one at that.
And check this out: lacrosse has become America’s fastest growing sport. Maybe because the Internet has made it easier for the public to see more lacrosse games. Whatever is the cause, the growing popularity makes it the perfect ‘unconventional’ sport for your child to get into. It’s impossible to find it boring, the way some kids may find golf or football a little boring.
One of the obvious drawbacks for this sport is that it really requires a big team and proper equipment. You’re quite limited in your practice methods when it comes to being by yourself, though it can be done. The best thing to do is check your child’s school to see if they have a lacrosse team along with lessons. As for equipment, the school may provide it. Certainly, they’ll have things like pads, gloves, and a helmet. You may need to get your child the thing every budding lacrosse player is going to need yourself. And that is, of course, a lacrosse stick.
Table Tennis
Lacrosse is a sport that involves a lot of equipment and a big team. But table tennis doesn’t suffer from these potential problems. The equipment you need is quite minimal. And with a wall and the right skill, you can even play by yourself! When you think of table tennis, you may not think of something particularly enthralling. At best, you may be thinking about the table tennis scenes in Forrest Gump. After all, if you’re going to play a form tennis, why play the miniature version? Why not just get your kid into proper tennis?
Well, go ahead. Tennis is a brilliant game for your kid to get into. But do you know what would be a great ‘sidekick’ to that sport? You’ve got it – table tennis. Not that it’s not a sport that has to supplement its bigger sibling. Table tennis is actually remarkably different from tennis. It may be hitting a ball back and forth, but it requires much faster thinking and a new set of techniques. In fact, the strategies involved make it an extremely good sport for the brain as well as the body.
You read that right. Table tennis is often known as the “number one brain sport”. (Well, if you don’t count chess as a sport, that is.) Motor skills, concentration, and other brain functions are put to the test in table tennis in a much more pronounced way than most other sports. It’s also extremely good for stress relief! As previously stated, the equipment you need to get your kid started is minimal. You don’t need particular clothing or protective gear. You just need a sturdy ping pong table and a little ball. Oh, and the paddles with which to hit the ball, of course! Browse somewhere like Wolfe Sports for the right supplies.
Skateboarding
Back in the nineties and early 2000s, skateboarding really went into something of a revival. The popularity of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series, as well the increased presence of it on TV, helped bring it into the mainstream. But in recent years, it’s not been such a hot activity. And that’s a shame, because the world of skateboarding is tremendously exciting.
This is one of those sports that a lot of parents are reluctant to introduce their children to. Parents seem to be afraid that their kids will turn into punks or troublemakers if they start skateboarding! They’re also afraid of injuries. The first worry is unfounded, but it’s true that a budding skateboarder is going to fall off their board quite a few times as they’re learning.
But if your child wants to start skateboarding, it might be best to help them as much as you can. After all, skateboarding may be tough to perfect, but there are so many benefits. It improves balance and coordination in ways that can be translated to many other activities. Skiing, roller skating, ice skating, surfing – skateboarding is a great way to practice for all of those! You just have to ensure you get as sturdy a skateboard as possible, as well as the best protective equipment. It can absolutely be done safely. Make sure the size of the skateboard is right. Kids will need to practice on a slightly smaller board. They can get bigger boards as they grow and get better!
