The Best Team Sports for Kids
Team sports are fun, and they have many benefits to the physical and emotional well-being of children. Team sports are a great way to stay active and healthy. According to the PCSFN Science Board, nearly 73% of adults who play sports as part of an active lifestyle played team sports when they were kids, but what are the best ones to choose?
Benefits of Team Sports
Team sports have many benefits for children. It gives them regular physical activity that is good for bone health, weight loss, and increased cardiovascular fitness. Kids who participate in team sports also experience lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem and confidence, increased cognitive performance, and higher levels of creativity. These are only a few of the benefits research has found between team sports and improved quality of life in kids.
One study found that kids benefit the most when they play one sport all year round. The longer they played the sport, the more they tended to experience improvements in cognitive skills, personal and social skills, goal setting, initiative, and health.
The only drawback is that when kids are just beginning to explore their interests, kids sports gear can be expensive. Most parents don’t mind spending the money if the kid is likely to stick with the sport. A kids sports camp or safe kids camp with a kids sports program is an excellent way to let your child try out different things to see if they find something they like without wasting money on sports equipment that will end up going unused.
10 Best Team Sports for Kids
Now, you know many of the reasons why finding a summer day camp that offers team sports is an excellent way to let your child explore their interests. Different sports have different benefits for kids, and you have plenty of options for finding a perfect match for your child.
Before we get into the list, let’s explore some of the most popular sports in terms of energy spent while playing. The top sports in terms of calories burned in a specific time period are:
- Cross Country Track
- Track and Field
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Lacrosse
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Baseball
Now, let’s get into the benefits of some of the most popular team sports.
1. Swimming
Swimming is one of the best team sports for kids. It keeps the heart rate up, but it also takes the stress off of the body and joints. It builds endurance and strength. Swimming is also good for helping with initiative and goal-setting skills. Even swimming recreationally at a safe kids summer day camp has many of these benefits and could lead to developing an interest in competitive swimming.
2. Soccer
Soccer is one of the most-loved team sports around the world. It builds stamina, leg strength, and coordination. It involves using your feet to control the ball, which helps build balance and foot control. Soccer involves a high level of teamwork between team members who are working for a common goal. It is an excellent sport for learning to work with others and building social skills.
3. Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a physically demanding game that is fast-paced. It requires keen hand-eye coordination and agility. It builds endurance, balance, and speed. Lacrosse also involves a high level of flexibility and the ability to react quickly. It is a sport that requires a high level of communication and working together among team members to reach a common goal. Because it is so challenging, it is also one of the best sports for building self-esteem, life-long relationships, and a feeling of accomplishment.
4. Martial Arts
Martial arts are an excellent start to many team sports later in life. Even children under the age of five can enjoy this sport. It builds confidence and fundamental skills that apply to other, more advanced sports later in life. This sport also builds balance, strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and self-esteem. Breakthru Kids Fitness Programs include martial arts, yoga, and information on leading an overall healthy lifestyle.
5. Basketball
Basketball is a popular sport because it can be played anywhere with very little equipment. It builds coordination, speed, agility, flexibility, and fast reflexes. It builds confidence and can be enjoyed by children of any age. Basketball builds strong relationships with other team members and the ability to work together to achieve a goal. Every member of the team has an important role to play, which helps to build a feeling of self-efficacy and boosts esteem.
6. Track and Field
Track and field is an excellent choice for children who do not want to have the high level of physical contact that many other sports involve. They are recognized for their contributions, and their successes contribute to that of the team. Many more introverted children tend to be drawn to track and field more than other team sports. They are physically demanding and require many hours of preparation and practice outside of meets.
7. Baseball
Baseball is another sport that is excellent for helping build individual self-esteem and confidence. Each child gets their chance to be the shining star when it is time for them to come up to bat or when they catch that fly ball. It is a sport where other team members are often extremely supportive of others and offer positive encouragement. When it is your turn to play, it requires focus, attention, and giving it your all.
8. Football
This list would not be complete without mentioning football. This is one of the most physically demanding sports when children are on the field. It also requires a lot of equipment expenses and a huge time commitment. For those who have what it takes and are willing to stick with it, it can lead to a lifelong love of the sport. It is one of the best for developing team-building skills and leadership.
9. Gymnastics
Gymnastics is an all-around, physically demanding sport. It requires strength, flexibility, and coordination. It also offers many opportunities for choosing a specialty within the field. Gymnastics typically does not require the purchase of significant amounts of equipment, but you must have access to a gym or other facility that has them. It is another excellent opportunity for those children who do not like high-contact sports, and it is an excellent esteem builder.
10. Other Individual Team Sports
If you didn’t find something on this list already, there are also some other sports where kids can compete individually, and their points count towards a team. Some of these include fencing, cycling, diving, archery, and tennis. The point is that there are many choices, and the most important thing is that you encourage your child to explore their interests and find something that they love. The best team sport for any child is the one they love and want to stick with, possibly for a lifetime.
Chartwell Happy Day Camp Sports Opportunities
You have many choices when it comes to finding the perfect sport for your child. Chartwell Happy Day Camp is a safe kids camp located in Marlton, NJ, and we have many opportunities for your child to explore fun team sports. We offer programs for soccer, lacrosse, and Breakthru Kids Fitness Programs. Contact us at (856) 983-8827, or email us at chartwell@chartwellfun.com to get your child registered for a fun experience and to encourage a love of sports that they will carry with them for the rest of their life.