" Which sport is suitable for young children? "

The healthy development of young children requires not only a varied and balanced diet, but also plenty of exercise. It's a good thing that children already have an irrepressible urge to move at a young age - the best prerequisites for getting toddlers interested in light sports. There are many ways to do sports with small children. Find out everything you need to know and which sports are particularly suitable here.

From baby swimming and toddler groups

If you can get your offspring excited about exercise and fitness from the very beginning, you won't have to worry about enrolling them in a sports club later on or at least raising a child who likes to exercise a lot. Even the very youngest children can get started. Baby swimming is particularly popular. This is not about the baby learning to swim. Rather, the very youngest should experience the feeling of water and have fun in the wet element.

It also trains physical and motor development. This should make it easier to learn to swim later on.

From the age of six months, the toddler group is very popular with most families. This is a wonderful opportunity where children usually come into contact with their peers for the first time. The exercises focus on motor skills and coordination. Everything relating to movement sequences for later sport is literally still in its infancy.

Mother and child playing with an exercise ball

Colorful balls, pretty ribbons, rattles and building blocks are the utensils used in the toddler group. In addition, they can of course crawl tirelessly over the mats. There is singing, clapping and laughter. An informal and refreshing atmosphere that lays a good foundation for sporting ambitions.

Sport with toddlers - laying the first foundations for easy sports

Most sports clubs nowadays offer so-called toddler sports groups. From the age of around two to three years, the sports mice have the chance to get active with other children.

Under the motto: play, sport and fun, the little ones learn the important basic elements.

This includes a proper warm-up and light gymnastics. Of course, all of this is taught in a playful way. There is no place here for competitive sport and competition.

Which sport is suitable for children?

At this time, many parents are naturally concerned with the question of which sport is suitable afterwards. Of course, it is primarily in the child's interest to find something that is fun and stimulates healthy ambition. As already mentioned, competitive sport is not yet on the cards. Now is the time to get a taste of it - in the truest sense of the word.

Judo for children

Numerous sports clubs offer so-called trial training sessions for sports with small children. The young athletes are allowed to train for a certain period of time without signing up for a membership. This makes it easier to find out whether toddlers like it or not.

Easy sports for kindergarten children are

• Children's gymnastics
• judo
• Parent-child swimming
• Ballet
• Toddler athletics group

Thinking of soccer, tennis or karate? But here a minimum age of five is usually recommended. From this age, there are junior groups in the clubs.

Specialization in a particular sport often takes place at primary school age. By then, the little ones are physically developed enough to meet the requirements.

They also have the necessary understanding of the rules and procedures of some sports.

What is needed for sports with small children?

Once you have found a club or sports group that offers sports for kindergarten children, the next question is what equipment is required. Sports clothing is of course a must. Many coaches and trainers recommend a set of long and a set of short sportswear. Sports shoes are very important. They provide the necessary support and stabilize the foot. As children's feet grow quickly, it is advisable to buy indoor shoes just before the start of the indoor season, for example.

In addition to clothing, your little one should always have something to drink with them. Here, pretty drinking bottles with their own name on them. These are unmistakable and also look good. A personal sports bag is also a real must-have for young athletes.

A small children's bag is enough. In addition to the water bottle, it is advisable to include a small terry towel and a change of shirt. Then you are perfectly equipped for the first training session.

Positive effects: from more self-confidence to a better physical condition

Being active in sports has multiple positive effects. Your little sunshine will learn lots of social skills in a sports group. Relay games awaken natural ambition. Team spirit is also required time and again. Every now and then they have to help each other and, last but not least, your child's self-confidence is strengthened.

Children balancing on a balance beam

When children do sport, the body releases lots of happiness hormones. And it's not just training that improves fitness. Whenever your little one is romping and running around, this has a positive effect on their fitness.

When the garden at home becomes a sports field

Everyday life forces us to get creative from time to time. If you don't see an opportunity to go to the gym with your child or do light sports, then it's time to get active yourself. A trampoline, a small climbing frame and a practical pop-up goal are the perfect utensils for an active day in the garden. Let yourself be infected by the laughter of the little ones and experience how carefree it can be to let off steam in a meadow.

When the home garden becomes a sports field with a trampoline

When the first flakes fall and a thick layer of snow covers the grass, it's high season for winter games: Sledging, snowball fights and rolling snowballs. In a way, these are also easy winter sports. If you exercise outdoors up to three times a week, you will stay fit even in winter.

Important: Fun should never be neglected!

Don't put your children under pressure to do the sport they want to do. Sporting activity for toddlers has only one aspect: the joy of movement! Try things out slowly and test what your little one enjoys. Talk to your child and try to find their strengths together and encourage them in a targeted way without overtaxing or putting pressure on your little one.