It is important for children to get exercise — not just for fitness but also to encourage healthy development, to build confidence and enhance their social skills.
However, not all children take to organised activities, so we have pulled together some ideas of sports for kids who don’t like sport.
Check out these alternative activities that might grab your kids’ imagination:
Rock climbing
Some children just have a natural instinct to climb things, but even if yours don’t scale trees at every opportunity, they might enjoy rock climbing as an activity.
Climbing is good for developing strength and self-confidence. There are indoor climbing walls in most towns these days, with many offering beginner courses aimed at helping children to learn the ropes, so to speak.
Martial arts
Martial arts such as karate, judo and ju-jitsu can be a great option for kids who don’t enjoy team sports.
They are not just about bashing each other up, but involve fitness, discipline and self-control. The self-defence skills they teach can also boost kids’ self-esteem and independence.
Dancing
Dancing is a great way for kids to get active, while having fun and expressing themselves creatively.
Whether it’s ballet, street dance or just bopping along to the radio, dancing can provide a good cardiovascular workout — as well as improving flexibility and coordination.
It is also a great excuse to get together with their friends, or make new ones.
Skating
Skateboarding or roller-skating both offer a decent workout, whether they are learning tricks at the skate park or getting their shimmy on at the roller disco.
There is also a strong social element to both activities, and obviously they can help improve children’s sense of balance and co-ordination. And with skateboarding in the Olympic Games now, they might go on to win a gold medal.
Mountain biking
Combining vigorous exercise with time in nature and a few thrills and spills, mountain biking is a sport which doesn’t always feel like one.
Kids can explore their local area and develop skills, and there are a growing number of bike parks where they can test themselves in a controlled environment. It is also a great activity to do as a family.
Read more articles about exercise on our blog.
