Everyone benefits from being active, whatever their age. Read on for tips on which sports are best for different age groups, from toddlers to retirement and beyond.

Small children

Your youngest child has just learned to walk, so participating in a team sport may not be on the agenda yet. Still, games that involve running, jumping, climbing, catching, and throwing all lay a good foundation. Now is also a good time to start basic swim instruction or at least expose your child to the water. Consider teaching your child to play tag, hide and seek, hopscotch, use a Hula Hoop, or ride a tricycle or big wheel. Little kids can also play toddler baseball with the big ball and bat.

preschoolers

Believe it or not, between the ages of 4-5 some children are ready to start playing sports. Many young children join soccer teams. They may not play a really fierce game and follow all the rules, but the coaches and teachers will show them the basic moves and basic rules and have them run, play games in practice. T-ball is also something kids can get started on, as well as youth flag football. Some Olympic athletes started ice skating, skiing and swimming at this young age, and this is an age when children can learn to use golf clubs. It worked for Tiger Woods.

Elementary

These are the best years to start playing baseball, youth soccer, swimming, track, softball, more formal soccer leagues, ice skating, hockey, gymnastics, and martial arts. And don’t forget that games like dodgeball, kickball, tetherball, and freeze tag are a lot of fun. This is a good time to start the rabbit hill at the ski lodge or start learning basic fishing skills.

Middle and High School

At this age, kids can begin to understand more complicated rules, so baseball, soccer, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, and volleyball are all good choices. Track and field, golf, martial arts, gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and hockey are all good choices. For college-goers, it’s not a bad idea to consider an unusual sport, like lacrosse, if your teen happens to have exceptional skills in a sport that’s less popular than football, for example, he or she can have a better chance of qualifying. for a single scholarship.

Adulthood

Once you’ve graduated from high school and are in the working world, joining an organized sport doesn’t seem so easy. However, you can meet up with people and play baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, Ultimate Frisbee, bowling, tennis, or golf. Now is a great time for individual activities like running, so why not work on running a 5K, 10K, or a marathon? You’ve got the money and the vacation time, so why not try rock climbing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, skiing, or scuba diving? The world is your oyster and maybe you will find one while diving. Other individual activities you could try: pilates, yoga, cycling, fencing and martial arts. They are good for the body and soul.

Withdrawal

Many older adults enjoy sports that are less strenuous, but keep the body healthy and the mind active. Consider playing tennis, golf, or riding a bike. Many older adults can still run; others enjoy a daily walk. If joint pain is a problem, swimming can be a comforting form of exercise.

Whether you’re five or fifty, there’s a sport that’s right for you. Staying active and trying new sports is a great way to keep your mind and body fit as you age. Consider trying a new sport every few years. Not only will you make new friends and stay healthy, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of a new ability you didn’t know you had.