How to Get Your Middle School Child Involved in Sports

Getting your middle schooler in the gym, involved with his peers and away from the screen is not as difficult as you might think. Try these tips to get you and your child active, fit and involved in sports with little effort or cost.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Take a look at the schedule regarding sports and leagues that the middle school either sponsors or participates in. Coordinate choices with your child's other activities and interests.
2. Find out what sports your child's friends are involved in. This could increase the chances of your child wanting to join.
3. Encourage your child to participate in intramural sports leagues within the school. The seasons are very short and practices are minimal. And, this is often free or low cost and the child can try different sports without commitment for a few months.
4. Try the introductory (usually 2-week or 1-month) period in various sports such as Karate, kids gyms, swimming or boxing. You will often get a T-shirt or free uniform just for trying out the sport. The child can also get a feel for a sport they have never tried before.
5. Check your local parks and recreation department brochure for their quarterly sports offerings. See if any neighbors would be willing to participate and even carpool.
6. Take a parent-child class such as self-defense, swimming or aerobics. This will give both of you a chance to try a new sport and get fit at the same time.
7. Check the local YMCA or health club. They have short-term classes with lower ratios.
8. Have your child try out sports such as flag football or softball at recess. If he likes them you can enter him in a league with his friends at another time.
9. Try less mainstream sports at summer camps and schools such as horseback riding, skating, hockey, tennis and golf.

Tips & Warnings

• If the sport is costly for your child, consider using fundraising as a way of being able to participate.
• Find out if your child prefers team or individual sports.
• Do not sign any contracts if possible, pay monthly. Kids change their minds frequently about sports.