Getting Started in Youth Sports
When should your kids start playing sports? It can feel like a really big decision. Diving into youth sports for the first time has been an exciting adventure for our family. My son, who is now 5 spent this summer playing tee ball, and we’re looking forward to continuing the momentum with 5/6 baseball this fall.
Before this, he played soccer and multi-sports through The 18th Ward‘s Tykes program. Navigating these early experiences has been a learning process—not just for him, but for us as parents too. From understanding the registration process to balancing commitments and figuring out the right gear, it’s all been part of the journey. If you are considering getting started with sports, here are some tips that have helped us along the way.
The Pressure of Starting Young
When to start is a big question. If I scroll through social media it feels like lots (maybe most) kids are involved in some sort of sport and have been since early elementary ages. It can easily feel like you are too late if you didn’t start as soon as they can walk. I frantically texted my sports mom friends who have older kids and they assured me we weren’t too late to start… yet.
Starting early can give your kid (and your family) an early love for sports and can possibly give kids a leg up in skills and learning the sport. But for some kids, they may not be ready to start as early as others. Some kids just don’t have an interest in sports at a young age. Others may need more time to mature or develop. It’s important to think about your child and when it would be best for them to start, without making it a source of pressure.
Choosing a Sport
How do you decide which sport to start with? You’ll want to think about what your child’s interests are. What sports would be best aligned with their personality and natural abilities. Try to think about what activities they gravitate towards—do they like to climb? Run? Play solo? If possible, trying a variety of sports can give your child a range of exposure and help make a choice as they age. But most importantly—think about the commitment required for each sport and how that works with your family’s schedule. Don’t forget to consider location as well because practices and games may be multiple days each week.
Navigating the Registration Process
Getting started can feel overwhelming, especially if you are new to the sports scene. I am not, and have never been an athlete, so getting started with sports felt like a foreign process to me. It can almost feel like an “if you know, you know” situation. There are school teams, park teams, random sport group teams, travel teams, etc. The registration window for many sports can be narrow, and spots can fill up quickly. My advice: reach out to and connect with other parents to stay informed. Joining neighborhood parent groups and following teams and parks on social media can also help you stay in the loop.
Managing Extracurriculars
Juggling sports with school and other activities introduces a new balancing act. Starting sports makes time management super important. You’ll need a plan to manage schoolwork, practices, games, meals, transportation, etc. Consider if your family can realistically add sports right now, or what sports season is the best fit for your crew.
The Gear
Don’t forget the equipment! This is another thing you’ll need to plan for in advance of the season and budget for. It’s worth checking with coaches or more experienced parents to make sure you have the right gear, and don’t hesitate to look for second-hand options — I scored all of our baseball pants at a consignment sale!
Enjoy the Journey
Ultimately, the goal is for your kid to enjoy the experience of learning something new, learn about teamwork and hopefully have something new that keeps them happy. For our family, as we move from a fun summer of tee ball into the fall baseball season, we’re excited to continue this journey. I plan to keep the pressure low and embrace the ride for as long as he’s interested.
