https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:20:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863336 Sat, 22 Dec 2018 20:09:29 +0000 Anagram 2863336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My feelings are changing about this as my kids get older. My girls are 3 and 5, and take dance which isn’t a “ball” sport, but I will say it so depends on the kid. Both of my kiddos started dance at 3 and while it is true that the 3 year old class is chaotic and yes, half the class is either crying or twirling around by themselves not listening to to teacher—but my girls have THRIVED. Like, okay I am biased because they are my kids, but my kids are July and August birthdays and the dance year starts in Sept, so they tend to always be one of the youngest—and I think their focus is SO GOOD for their age. Even my second kiddo, who is my more difficult child, bless her—she loves dance and listens so well. That is, after the initial hump of the first 5 classes where she was afraid to go in alone. But we stuck it out, she got familiar with the class, she is thrilled to go now and has grown so much and it’s only December. </p> <p>One other thing is my 5 year old played city rec soccer for the first time this year. We have never played soccer before, and I was assured it was a beginners league. Well, my kiddo happened to be put on a team with the next Ronaldo (is that a famous soccer player?) who AS A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD, dominated every single practice and every game and was light years above the kids. The coach had to keep taking him out because he would just score over and over if he was on the field for even 5 minutes. So her team was undefeated, she barely learned to play because her skills were so beginner compared to this kid. And I’m not griping—this kid was amazing for 5. But I chatted up his parents and he’d been doing soccer and basketball classes and camps since 4, including 6 weeks of soccer camp over the summer the past 2 summers AND they had him in an indoor class/league over the winter AND he played on another non-Rec team simultaneously. So the kid was skilled but he also had way more practice and hours to get good compared to the other kids. </p> <p>So it may depend on your child’s interest and focus but also on how Tiger Parent you are. And how flexible your weekly schedule is. Shuffling kids around to classes and games is exhausting. And expensive.</p> <p>I don’t think my girls have a future in soccer, so that’s not something I can see myself stretching our family thin, in terms of scheduling, over. BUT my oldest is really developing a passion for dance and singing and musical theater and I’m already plotting the course of when I’ll start her on piano lessons, when we’ll do voice lessons, which dance class she should take next, if a tumbling class would help her dance. And I’m s totally Beta personality, but SHE loves it and begs for more, and it’s so hard to say no to a kid that spends all her free time asking Alexa to play broadway soundtracks so she can sing/dance/act along. So I’m discovering I have s little Tiger mom in me too, after seeing my kid be so into something. 🤷‍♀️ You just never know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863285 Sat, 22 Dec 2018 09:25:19 +0000 Lindsay05 2863285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I have to respectfully disagree. If the sport is actually taught more about the basics of the game than it can actually be really beneficial. For example my 4 year old is a really shy girl but being out on a soccer field actually really boosted her confidence. Our kids soccer program is less about team play and more about skill building and I have seen huge improvements with both of my children. They go in 10 minutes sessions of switching off from skills to 3 on 3. Very well designed for young children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863282 Sat, 22 Dec 2018 07:56:40 +0000 looch 2863282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I don't mean to disagree with you, but I don't think that there's no fear in children under a certain age. My son is particularly cautious, which reads as fear. He just learned how to ride a bike, a few weeks before he turned 8. He literally just got on and rode off and I attribute that to just waiting until he was ready.</p> <p>I think that for team sports, they just don't get it until they learn how to work cooperatively and I think that's a skill that is developed all through childhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863270 Fri, 21 Dec 2018 22:36:27 +0000 irene 2863270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking back, I think team sports before 5 would be too early. There is a gigantic difference when we put him to soccer before 5, compared to now T-ball / baseball and now basketball after 5. If you start team sports before 5 it actually harms rather than help because everyone is frustrated at the end of the practice and you just automatically assumes your child doesn't like it, it is not true... it is because they were too young and they didn't get it yet. We have no interest in putting DS back into soccer because we had such a bad experience, but I bet he'd have a blast now (almost turning 7) if we do.</p> <p>Swimming, ice skating, learning to ride a bicycle...etc should start sooner rather than later though when they don't have fear! DS was taking ice-skating classes around 4 and it was perfect. He can skate between 4-5. He learned riding a bicycle way before that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863183 Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:51:35 +0000 erinbaderin 2863183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>B is almost 5 and W is 2.5. They've both been in swimming since 6 months, first parented and then when he was 4 B moved to an un-parented. </p> <p>B has done gymnastics, skating, soccer, and Sportball (a 10 week class where they do a different sport each week). We let him pick what he wants to do - soccer he didn't love so we haven't done it again, everything else we've done off and on. We're currently taking a swimming break and in January he'll be doing skating, gymnastics, and Sportball.</p> <p>W is currently doing gymnastics (parented), and he's done Sportball in the past (also parented) and will start that again in January. He badly wants to learn to skate so I think we'll try that once he's three and is a bit better at listening.</p> <p>I really hope neither of them want to do hockey, because the practices are so early (6am practice on a Saturday!) and I don't want to have to spend all my weekends taking somebody to a hockey tournament. I'd like to them to like soccer because I played growing up, I think I might push that a little bit this summer. And I think it's important that they know how to swim so we'll consistently do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863178 Fri, 21 Dec 2018 08:47:11 +0000 Sams Mom 2863178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yeah my husband went to a PAC 8 school full ride between academic and Athletics. He was able to go on some amazing trips because of it. Played summer ball and area code ball to make sure he stayed in shape for school ball season. He was even being scouted by the MLB until he messed up his pitching arm. He says the worst part was his dad never let up on him. It's one thing to push them through the the hard spots, but my FIL never let him do anything but baseball. </p> <p>I think my husband would have a different view though if his dad would have let him enjoy ball instead of forcing it down his throat 24/7/365. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863165 Fri, 21 Dec 2018 06:28:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2863165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: we are moving and will have a pool again at the house so yes private 1:1 swim lessons are a must!</p> <p>@Sams Mom: I think my BILs upbringing was similar, but it did lead to college scholarships and lifelong healthy living habits and yet, that sounds like a commitment for the parents too.</p> <p>This thread has been super helpful and the variety of activities you all have put your kids in is impressive. As much LO enjoys playing sports he also loves to pretend he’s Captain America and fight his villainous toy dinosaurs so I’m going to just give him some more time to be an unscheduled kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2863087 Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:20:02 +0000 pachamama 2863087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: agreed. My then two-year-old was such a turd at gymnastics and this other "Go Kids" sports class that I vowed to not do anything structured for a while. He (3 in Jan) goes to toddler gymnastics Open Gym time now and literally just runs around on the equipment. He loves it and I don't have to worry about him face down in the circle while all the other normal 2 year olds are happily participating 🤪 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862987 Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:17:47 +0000 Mama Bird 2862987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't enroll DS in any sports until he turned 5. He was doing a ton of new stuff in day care and we figured that extracurriculars on top of that would be too much. We did try to convince him to do swimming, but he refused - said the water is too cold. Then we signed him up for gymnastics and he loves it - hopefully will do it again soon. He's also done a ton of basketball and soccer in afterschool and summer camp.</p> <p>DD1, on the other hand... she's just three, but she's definitely ready to try something. She's been asking to do gymnastics with her brother for months, and now wants to do dance also. We'll probably sign her up sometime this winter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862917 Thu, 20 Dec 2018 09:02:30 +0000 MrsADS 2862917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 3 y 4 months and he's definitely not ready. He is in daycare/preschool and is very wiped out at the end of the day and on weekends. He also has a pretty cautious/hesitant personality and has to feel comfortable before he enjoys something. He's very physical though and I think he would love gymnastics and soccer. If I was at home with him all the time, we would definitely do some activities. As it is, I think he needs to be quite a bit older and I will follow his lead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862872 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 23:11:28 +0000 Grace 2862872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid has been in gymnastics and soccer. My observation is that most of the 3 year olds tend to run around and not listen to the coach or sit in their parent’s lap for 2/3 of the class. If you are ok with that, then go for it! The kids all has fun, but it was super-frustrating for me to watch. I will wait until 4 years old with my youngest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862869 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 22:50:25 +0000 ALV91711 2862869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 2.5 we started DS in gymnastics. He did this for 2 years. He loved the first year which was parent &amp; tot, the second year was ok and by the end was a struggle. Last year and this year he is in a 5 pin bowling league. He loves it. In January he starts swimming lessons as well. </p> <p>For the most part we are a one activity at a time family. We will look at enrolling in sports if/when he becomes interested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862846 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 21:01:41 +0000 autumnleaves 2862846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 started swimming lessons at 3.5 and that is his only activity outside of preschool. DS2 will probably also start swimming lessons at that age. I think of signing my kids up to do more but I know they get a lot out of daycare/preschool and do not need another activity. When my eldest starts kindergarten and gets out of school earlier, I may look into him having 2 activities - it depends on his interests and our schedules.<br /> I think if one of them seemed to show a deep interest in soccer, basketball, etc - I may sign him up sooner but at this time I do not see that deep interest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862815 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 17:16:39 +0000 Mamatimes3 2862815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started t ball and soccer at 3.5. I plan to start my daughter in gymnastics at 3. We only do one sport at a time. With a full time job and 3 kids, it’s enough for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862813 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 17:00:09 +0000 wrkbrk 2862813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hitchhiker: Thanks for your thoughts! His group class was also ... underwhelming. It’s hard to find a reputable private teacher though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862812 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 16:45:07 +0000 hitchhiker 2862812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: private swim lessons are the way to go if you can swing it. They just learn so much more per lesson. I feel pretty meh about the group lessons we are in now, but my kids likes them and it's like 2 blocks from our house. If it wasn't easy I'd just wait until we could do private again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862795 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:16:21 +0000 wrkbrk 2862795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: DS just turned 3 and so far he has done (one at a time): Music class, dance, soccer, gymnastics, and swim class. I have to say he was ok with all of them but didn’t love any 🤷🏼‍♀️ We are taking a break until the spring or summer and I think we are going to enroll him in private swim lessons because that actually is a skill he needs whether or not he wants it 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862783 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:21:38 +0000 hitchhiker 2862783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is almost 6. She has done tumbling, swimming, soccer, and tennis. She started tumbling at 2, and did it on and off until about 4.5 until she stopped being interested. She started swimming lessons at about 4.5; she enjoys it most of the time and we think it's important both for safety and because the swim team is a big social activity at our pool, so we think she should at least try being involved in that even if she is not serious about swimming. She started playing tennis last summer at 5; she loves it and we are tennis players, so we are really committed to her weekly lessons (as long as she's interested!). She asked to play in our neighborhood's youth soccer league this fall; when it came time to actually play, she was resistant at first, but ended up loving it. When it ended she asked to do soccer shots as an after school program. Since it's easy for us (we don't do anything other than pay for it!), we agreed. My husband and I both loved playing sports as kids, so we have agreed to prioritize the activities she has shown interest in, even though I don't like to be too scheduled. It helps that many of these activities are in our neighborhood and include family friends, so it feels less like we are schlepping her around and more like we are all getting some meaningful social time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862773 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:43:02 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2862773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone, I am enjoying all the responses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862757 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:10:52 +0000 KT326 2862757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We waited until my oldest was 5 and signed him up for t-ball (you can start at 4 but he wasn't ready). He loves playing and gets really excited for practice (this year will be his third season of baseball). We did soccer at 3 but he was not into it at all so we only did a few classes.</p> <p>My youngest will probably start t-ball at 4 since he watches big brother play. He is only 2 but has a pretty good grasp of baseball.</p> <p>We have signed my oldest up for two baseball summer camps (each camp is one week long) and may look into a basketball camp since he has shown interest in it. I think once they are in elementary school summer camp is a great way to expose them to different sports/activities and see what they like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862743 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:17:21 +0000 Corduroy 2862743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We enrolled DD in a basketball class at 18 months because it said it would have bubbles, songs and an into to balls. It was dribbling and layup drills. DH and I still joke about me being an intense sports mom. DD is almost 6 and we now do weekly gymnastics through the community center. I'm pleased with the amount of sports she gets introduced to in after school care and I love that I don't have to sit through a practice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862738 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 10:30:19 +0000 looch 2862738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 8 and he's not involved in any organized sports because I don't want the commitment involved in games on the weekends. </p> <p>This summer, he will begin formal golf and tennis lessons via camps because he has expressed interest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862732 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 10:03:35 +0000 snowjewelz 2862732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 is 4 and we have yet to start anything and my main thing is b/c she's already in school/daycare most of the day, I rather weekends just be more relaxing and doing fun things. I asked her multiple times if she wanted to do soccer last year b/c the town soccer program is cheap and walk-able from our house; but she kept saying no so I respected her wishes. I think this spring we're finally really going to do swim tho b/c we spend a lot of time at the pool during the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862731 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 10:02:21 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2862731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the turning point for us was close to age 4 when DS actually wanted to play and participate rather than watch. But it all depends on the kid. My son is pretty shy and takes a bit to warm up to new activities/people so I found age 2.5-3 to be tough because it often felt a chore to bring him to places. </p> <p>But then age 3.5-4 we signed him up for kid only swimming and he loved it. I think that gave him confidence. We are going to likely do skating this winter and soccer come summer.</p> <p>ETA: this year we didn’t sign up for lessons due to him starting school and we wanted to give him lots of adjustment and down time. So instead we alternated my wife taking him to public swim on one weekend day and I take him skating for public skate when he wants to go and when we feel up to it. It’s cheap and no commitment and we can do it on our own timeline. I think that’s something to consider as well: how your LO behaves after school/daycare and whether you want to be dragging them to a bunch of activities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862726 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:34:20 +0000 Sams Mom 2862726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't started sports yet. My husband played baseball for a D1 college. His parents put him in peewee baseball or whatever at 3, and he was in organized sports from that point on to 21. He is adamant that our son won't start organized sports until he's 5-6 and that will be 1 sport at a time, and he has to want to play.</p> <p>I on the other hand started park league soccer @4, played until I didn't want to at 10. Started volleyball in 6th grade and played until I was 20. I enjoyed all of my time in sports, where as my husband did not enjoy all of it (not saying he hated it, but felt more like a job than fun at various points).</p> <p>All that to say, we have another few years before we see how it all goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862723 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:26:32 +0000 Mommy Finger 2862723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 is 6 and the only thing he's done is weekly swimming lessons. I've been really hesitant to start with the sports as once you start, you can't stop. I'm also big into the "only one thing at a time" when they're this young. We're done with swimming this month and next month he'll try soccer. I know that "rule" won't last forever but it's what we've done. DS2 just started swimming lessons at 3.5 as that's the first time he wasn't so against it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862720 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:11:05 +0000 skinnycow 2862720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing we've done so far is the soccer program at DD's daycare. Looks like your son is about the same age as my daughter.</p> <p>I'm planning to enroll her in soccer (outside of daycare) and non-parent and me swimming lessons when she's three. I've also considered putting her in gymnastics/dance around that time but it seems a lot to do at once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862718 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 09:01:45 +0000 Mamaof2 2862718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: check out the YMCA - ours does a class for 3-4 yr olds that does a few weeks of each sport so your child can decide what they like the best </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862716 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 08:25:41 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2862716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only do one or two sports at a time. Soccer we started at 3. That's always been their favorite so even when we take a break we end up going back to it. Baseball I talked to the coaches and they said 4 is the absolute youngest but 5 is better, so we started at 5. Tennis suggested age 6, but we didn't get around to it until LO turned 7. And then there's swimming. You can do ISR before but most non-parent and me classes have a minimum age of 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-to-start-sports#post-2862711 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 07:39:45 +0000 Lindsay05 2862711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two oldest girls are 6 and almost 5. They have been enrolled in soccer, baseball, dance, gymnastics, swimming and hockey. Not all at once but currently my oldest is doing 3 sports and my second is doing 2. Luckily most of their activities are at the same time and place. As they get older and figure out what they like, they will be limited to one or two activities. I believe we enrolled them as soon as they were eligible. So far they seem to love it and I don’t mind it because it keeps my busy on mat leave. </p>