Wwyd - activities for 4.5yr old DS

[CremeDeSudo]

Sorry for the long post!

So DS 4.5 takes after me and given the opportunity will sit in front of the telly/tablet all day, will play with his toys for a bit or demand we play board games. He's very bright, loves books etc.

We want to encourage him to be more active. He's never really been into anything active or outdoorsy at all and only exerts himself at soft play. We have a barely used trike, barely used scooter, numerous games for the garden..We can only get him to use any of them by cajoling him and only then for about 5 minutes!

We've taken him to the usual clubs-rugby tots, soccer tots, tennis, swimming (swimming was particularly disastrous). We've had most luck with rugby but again he never really wants to go, and has to be bribed. He just doesn't seem to like exerting himself.

Up until now we've taken the 'He's still young, he'll grow into it' attitude, but so many of his school friends go to after school classes we're wondering whether we should give him more of push to stick at something for a little while.

Last week we took him to a boxing club aimed at 4-7s as he loves play fighting with DH. Lots of kids his age there, running to warm up and taking it in turns to punch a punch bag in pairs etc. We could see he enjoyed himself, particularly the punching! Full of beans afterwards - hyper and full of it! Still, he doesn't want to go back. Tears this evening over it because we've tried to insist. We've said he can have a star for his chart and a lollipop and if he sticks at it and likes it he can have his own gloves. Still doesn't want to go.

What would you do? I obviously don't want to force him and upset him but equally I feel like we should be encouraging him to do something. Is he still too young? Not sure what to do now!

Are there any activities that any of his friends go to that you could try and he'll want to go because the friend does?

My 5yo DS has an activity that he enjoys when there but often has to be lured with promise of seeing friend.

What about Beavers? Think that starts at 5.

But I wouldn't force anything yet. He's only young. When he gets older he might like more sedentary clubs like chess club.

But him on the waiting list for Beavers. Bits of lots of things.

Karate? He might enjoy the philosophy and mental discipline side of things.

Beavers starts at 6 years old.

I'm investigating beavers. I think he might be more interested in that..I thought it was 5.5 though. He's 5 in July so need encourage something in the meantime..

We have difficulty with what days/classes we can attend due to work commitments. He was interested in taekwondo with a friend but we can't make the class he goes to. I found another class, he seemed keen, I signed him up for the free taster and he decided he didn't want to go. Sigh. It's also an expensive one to sign up for only for him to change his mind!

I've just spotted another similar thread and someone said she makes one activity compulsory- I quite like that idea. Going to put that to him and he can choose. Also agree with some of the posters on there that said this age isn't too young to learn about the commitment aspect.

He’s only young so I wouldn’t worry, but have you considered tap dance? If he likes board games and that sort of thing he may like it as it’s quite structured and rhythmical, rather than the running about/unpredictability of team sports. Just going on the sort of thing my DS likes there. :)

I think he's too young to make things compulsory. With my DS we just do different softplay centres, trampoline park, swimming, playgrounds. It's a lot cheaper and keeps things more flexible and stress free. It gives him the opportunity to chose, within reason, what he wants to do too.

I'm tempted to try street dance, as he loves a disco but DH isn't keen because of the area the class is in and would also be difficult to get in time after work. I don't think DS would be up for 'girls dancing'!

Why not do some gardening? Plant things? Do stuff outside anyway. Real things, not just games. Sweeping leaves? DIY? See if you can find an after school gardening club or forest school. Or if you think he really enjoys some of the activities you have taken him to, maybe find more sneaky ways of taking him/getting him there if you know he will enjoy it once there. I sometimes say 'we're going and that's it. Sit on the side and be bored or join in. It's your choice'. Possibly consider limiting screen time. I find that difficult though. Get a dog?

@grabby I'm pregnant with SPD atm so DH is going to try to get him out more now it's warming up! Not getting a dog lol. And was going to get him to help me in the garden although he hates getting his hands dirty so need to get some gloves for him..

He's less averse to boxing tonight now, with a bit of bribery encouragement. Be interesting to see what he's like afterwards..

I've got him on the waiting list for the local Beavers but PP was right, it's not til 6 although website says 5.5!