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Original poster

Which sports for DD?

51 replies

tuppencenonethericher · 07/08/2023 16:39

Just wanting to mull this over and get some input.

DD is 6 (7 later this year). Always had poor gross motor skills but improving and sports help with this. She also enjoys all kinds of sports.

So far we've done bits and pieces and some weekly things, but I'm thinking about what she might enjoy sticking at long term, including what would be actually doable for us as a family long term. That would mean not too expensive, not involving lots of travelling (some weekend travelling yes, but not every week, and definitely no long journeys on week nights), things teens tend to keep going to rather than petering out by the end of primary school. Also something that can be done indoors might be advantageous as we live in an area with terrible weather (rains year-round, can be quite windy, usually quite cold).

So far, I've had these thoughts:

Swimming: she currently has lessons through a private company very locally and really enjoys them. Huge waiting list for the nearest place that does national framework type lessons, and is a bit further away though doable. Planning to continue the weekly lessons regardless. Not sure if swimming becomes expensive when it gets competitive.

Gymnastics: she currently goes to a "for fun" class weekly. Enjoys it for now, but I don't think the natural aptitude is there for it to become a serious hobby. Also I'm under the impression it would involve training many days a week at competitive levels and it's a little far away so would make evenings very difficult. We'll keep going while she enjoys it, though.

Football: there's a local girls under 8s team. I think she'd enjoy this and has a good kick already, although training is past her normal bedtime (finishing 8.30pm so wouldn't be in bed until 9ish at least - usually 8pm). I'm assuming it's quite cheap overall? The timing is a pain, though.

Tennis: there's a place very close by. I'm sure she'd enjoy it but not sure if she'd be any good and if it's expensive or not.

Dancing: she has only recently started asking about dancing/ballet. She's kind of clumsy so probably wouldn't get past just low level hobby type level, and I'm not sure but guessing many drop out by the time they're in high school. There is also highland dancing nearby which I love the idea of!

Taekwondo: she had a trial of this and loved it. My hesitation was that firstly, the monthly cost was expensive (almost double the swimming lesson cost, for example), plus expensive uniforms, but also she has a tendency towards rough and tumble and we were trying to get her away from "play fighting" which sometimes gets out of hand. I was worried she'd end up "practising" her new kicks and punches on other people.

Horse riding: I think she would enjoy it, but it's not especially close by and I know it could get very, very expensive. We definitely wouldn't be able to get her a horse, even on loan.

Ice skating: there's a place about half an hour away though she's never been. No idea on cost etc. Slightly concerned she'd lose fingers out of clumsiness. She loves watching it, though, and wants to try.

Any other ideas? I know it might come across like I'm a pushy parent - I'm not, I just want to spend her time/our money on trying things that she might keep going to as we don't have much time or money to spare so I want to make the most of it!

OP posts:
Rogue1001MNer · 07/08/2023 17:34

Deffo netball.

My DD loved it.

Beware, swimming often equals horrifically early starts 2 or 3 times a week <shudders>

massistar · 07/08/2023 17:51

I'd definitely recommend netball. A martial art is also good. My DD does Brazilian jujitsu which is great and isn't learning complicated katas etc like karate.

XelaM · 07/08/2023 18:03

Horse riding: I think she would enjoy it, but it's not especially close by and I know it could get very, very expensive. We definitely wouldn't be able to get her a horse, even on loan.

That's my teen daughter's obsession I'm afraid. It's the sport she stuck with since she was 6 (she's 13 now). It's a very healthy sport and amazing for making friends. You don't need your own pony for Pony Club (if riding at a Pony Club centre) but it eventually escalates to quite a huge expense depending on where you live and how far your daughter wants to take her riding.

The other sport my daughter loves is rock climbing 🧗‍♀️ Also a very fun and healthy indoor sport.

However, I would highly recommend athletics. It's the cheapest of all and easiest to train for and you can do it both indoors and outdoors. It's great to be a part of a youth athletics club.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

6 year olds General sports
APurpleSquirrel · 07/08/2023 18:07

What about Scouts or Brownies? Get to do & try lots of activities, a lot done inside but some outside too.

TeenDivided · 07/08/2023 18:08

Both my DDs ended up with dyspraxia diagnoses.

Swimming is a life skills and great for overall muscle tone.
They also both enjoyed ice skating.

If there are intrinsic issues with motor skills I'd go for individual activities that don't need to be competitive as they are more likely to enjoy and stick with them.

caringcarer · 07/08/2023 18:21

Cricket was brilliant for improving my son's hand eye coordination.

Alphabeta123 · 07/08/2023 18:24

Scouts are not exactly sporty though - loads of sitting around and colouring/ cooking/ boardgames. Brownies from what i’ve seen even worse. can be very sedentary (apart from the occasional 20 minutes gentle walk)

timtam23 · 07/08/2023 18:39

Indoor bouldering/indoor climbing. My DS did a few courses but it's also very easy to just turn up and pay as you go. Climbing shoes can be hired for a few pounds where my DS goes. He absolutely loves it and it's now a weekly habit for him. He's a teen but there are many many much younger children there too

lljkk · 07/08/2023 19:14

You're overthinking it, look for cheap & easy & fun for now.

Adarajames · 07/08/2023 21:55

second the idea of judo / other martial art. Judo is great for all girls / women to do, teaches you how to get out of being held down by a larger opponent, something sadly many women need to do at some point in their lifetime!

cheapskatemum · 07/08/2023 21:56

How about trampolining?

user1471474138 · 07/08/2023 22:03

My dd now 12 has kept up with taekwondo and football, both great for different reasons. Taekwondo here is £5 a lesson (1.5 hrs) and £50 a yr for the licence so not too bad. It’s then £25 per grading if she wants to go up the belts so I think not too bad?

Ellie1015 · 07/08/2023 22:14

I think Brownies would be a good choice as active and also crafts etc. Low cost and once a week.

Football is great but usually training twice per week and game at weekend. Taekwondo can be easier to stick to weekly rather than a team sport.

Cornishmumofone · 07/08/2023 22:37

Swimming is a useful life skill, so I'd go with that.

In order to do more than one gymnastics class a week, usually involves being chosen... and at 4-7 that's often more about their build and body shape than ability.

Is there anything more unusual in your area. DD has recently started going to roller skating classes. They're indoors. Lit was quite cheap and classes are £5/hr.

Singleandproud · 07/08/2023 22:46

I would avoid anything like gymnastics, dance and swimming if the clubs are competitive, if the are recreational then it'll be fine, but competitive they are all massive drains on your bank accou t and time. Competitive tennis is expensive but doing a course to learn the basics so you can play as a family would be money well spent.

A team sport like hockey, netball and football is likely to be one training session midweek and then matches at the weekend, all played at uni level and beyond. DD plays rugby and I think it's a fantastic sport for girls, there is a job for all skills and sizes and is great for self confidence.

Midgeymoo12 · 07/08/2023 23:01

Swimming is a great sport. Once she has got to a certain stage, she can join a swim club. Club sessions are usually an hour long and she will develop a good level of fitness. She could start with 1-2 sessions a week and stick with that, or if doing well progress onto more sessions and competing. Not all swimmers train in the mornings / multiple sessions - it depends on level of commitment and talent. Some swim clubs charge per session, others per month.

Netball is another affordable hobby. Usually train once per week and a match once per week. The fees for the training and matches and not high, and she only needs trainers and a club shirt. I think football is going to be similar.

To progress in tennis involves a lot of expensive coaching. Horse riding also is going to be expensive!

FishNetz · 07/08/2023 23:06

Karate (the rough and tumble is positive) and climbing

Floralnomad · 07/08/2023 23:13

Avoid horse riding and ice skating if you aren’t looking at spending a lot , both are pretty costly if you want to progress / compete .

SharpLily · 07/08/2023 23:23

Yoga for children has many benefits and the advantage of not needing lots of expensive kit, if you can find a class nearby.

Wrenjeni · 07/08/2023 23:24

Rugby
doesn’t meet the indoor requirement but it’s good fun and relatively cheap.
not too much traveling until the girls split off from the boys at 11 and by then she’ll know if she wants to pursue it.
Trampolining
martial arts

EmeraldDuck · 07/08/2023 23:25

Tennis is a good one because you can do it as a family, its much cheaper than many other sports and lots of parks have tennis courts you can use for free.

TeenDivided · 08/08/2023 07:00

I seem to be an outlier here. Everyone else seems to be ignoring the motor skills issues, though of course I may be focusing too much.

If the DD has underlying issues then the chances of her being overtaken by keen peers is high. If she stays keen she'll be dropped from teams by around age 10 or so, and even then will get people frustrated by her dropping the ball, or missing the hit or whatever.

Which is why I'd personally try to find an 'activity for life' rather a sport or team game.

Zola1 · 08/08/2023 07:21

Mine was a gymnast at that age and is obsessed with trampolining now.. it can be quite expensive and there is a lot of travel for competition, but she is almost 14 and still trains 3 or more times a week

sashh · 08/08/2023 07:51

What about scouts? I think it would be cubs for her age. Now I have not been involved since I left guides in my teens but I managed to try a few things out via that.

What about an adventure holiday? I know they are not cheap and I think you need to be a year or two older but would work out cheaper than paying for a term of a sport she might not like.

Jazzybean · 08/08/2023 08:00

Aren’t there clubs at her school she can join free/cheap? That’s usually a good way to test things out.

I’d also suggest athletics/running as something to consider. Minimal kit, definitely cheap and not a massive commitment in the younger ages.

Having worked in leisure centres for many years, I’d advise against swimming tbh. Swim club kids are among the most entitled, self-important, image-obsessed people I’ve met.

A family member did fairly high level gymnastics. She had to have one day off school every week to do a full day training by the time she was 10 and was going to training pretty much every evening, plus traveling to competitions far and wide most weekends.