Anyone got an arty bookworm year 5 girl, not at all interested in sports?

[pollycazalet]

My DD seems to be alone in her peer group in not really liking any sport at all. She's tried lots of different ones and I've always tried to give her an opportunity to have a go at a variety of things but nothing has stuck. All her friends do sports clubs but she's just not interested. She loves art and reading and is happiest pottering around at home.

Am worried that she's not got the habit of exercise early and I know that girls do tend to lose interest at secondary. Anyone in the same boat?

[Lancelottie]

Oh, definitely! DD is bordering on overweight as well, so it's a concern.

Funny you should mention boats. DD is not averse to a bit of pottering around in a canoe or rowing boat, if there's anything like that near you -- plenty of time to gaze around and pretend you are the heroine of the latest book, I suspect.

We also go cycling, walking and geocaching -- again, it appeals to the dreamy/imaginative side, I think.

Skipping is very good exercise.

[Lancelottie]

..not that I dare do much skipping myself after 3 kids...

[Lancelottie]

Oooh, I know: make outdoor artwork! Collect twigs, pebbles etc, arrange into giant natural artwork (preferably some distance from home so you get a walk in), photograph the results?

Or go for walk, collect bits and pieces, make scrapbook and photo story?

[Madmog]

My daughter would much rather read or do something arty. She does have some friends who enjoy sports, but quite a few don't. At weekends we try to encourage a bike ride, swimming or log walk at the local park and woodland walks. We don't have a second car, so both of us have to walk everywhere in the week. When she does PE/games at school I know she gives it her best, although, to be honest she has never had a natural ability!

[feetheart]

DD does a dance class (street dance/stuff from musicals/etc) and is currently trying out diving (from a board not scuba yet!) but isn't really sporty. Does run around like a loon at Brownies though I think - always comes out flushed and thirsty.

I think DD may have recently found her 'thing' and it's music not sport. Sounds as though your DD's peers may be a bit unusual, some of DD's friends are sporty but some aren't.

I wouldn't worry about more formalised exercise if you can be active as a family, that is probably a better habit to get into and a great family time at little cost (after the token moan before you get out :))
Definitely walks and geo-caching and family bike rides and geo-caching - spot a theme here? Gets us all out in the fresh air and both DC will go much further if 'treasure' is involved.

[Beanbagz]

My DD isn't an arty bookworm but she is a musical bookworm. And like yours she's happiest just pottering around at home.

She doesn't really like the sport they do at school but will happily go cycling & walking at weekends so i'm not too worried about her not getting any exercise. She also likes indoor climbing.

As a couple of others have said, getting out excercising in the fresh air (even just walking) does them a load of good after being in school all week.

I just love Autumn walks

[Lancelottie]

I was never coordinated enough for team sports. They do seem pretty pointless if you're the sort of child who stands there bemused while other people run round you and nick the ball.

[pollycazalet]

Thanks all for messages - good to hear she's not alone! She does quite like swimming so should try and do more of that. Thinking about it I am not a great role model so should try and do a bit more myself.....

Great idea re outdoor artwork! Will definitely have a go at that.

Any good sites for geocaching to start us off - I don't know anything about it. We have a year 8 boy too and it's hard to get him out on walks - but that might help....

[dotty2]

I was that child, and have been overweight all my life. Still am, but have got into running and like it from the point of view of solitude and nice scenery. I am thinking of trying to get my own DDs into it when they are a bit older - also bookish and not coordinated. Is it something you could consider doing together - maybe try the C25K programme? You can go slow and gentle and admire the view.

We also tried geocaching over the summer and recommend the paid-for Iphone app. Def worth it over the free ones.