aggieamy Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 DH and I would like DD 9 yo to do an activity. She is currently doing Highlands dance and hasn't asked to quit but won't practice and doesn't want to go anymore and doesn't want to do any of the special activities. The writing is on the wall. We'd like her to do SOMETHING athletic to get out and get exercise. We need some ideas though. We'd prefer to avoid a team sport because we travel a lot and don't want to let a team down. Here's what she's done and disliked: Tae Kwon Do Ballet Tap Highlands dance Tennis Gymnastics Volleyball Basketball She's a quirky sweet creative kid and left to her own devices she would happily spend all her time reading or doing art projects or playing with Playmobils or listening to audiobooks. She has oodles of friends so we aren't worried about socialization. She is not competitive and has no inner drive to be the best at a sport. There's the information. Help with some cool sport/activities ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 In no particular order: Yoga Gardening Hiking Horseback riding Archery Swimming, but not on a team. Most Ys have non competitive programs up to age 13 Geocaching Nature photography Bicycling, with a parent, at her age Running/ jogging, if someone else in the family does that Have you got a dog? Dog walking is great exercise, because you HAVE to do it, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Biking and jogging as a family are great. Or jumping rope while doing something else (memory work? Spelling?) might be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Ice skating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Wow. That's quite a list. What if you didn't sign her up for any "official" activity, but rather generated a list with her, plus the suggestions here, for things that she'd be willing to try/do? Then the first month, have her choose one activity and she should do something related to it at least once a week, with a friend if that helps. If she really enjoys that selection, she can choose to extend it another month, until she'd like a change. Then, she can choose another from the list, or pull out a slip from a jar. My favorite suggestions above are things you just get out and do—no sign-up and little specialized equipment required. Biking, hiking, gardening, photography, dog walking (volunteer to walk dogs at a local animal shelter if you don't have your own). Things you can do to just enjoy, but be out and active at the same time. My kids have invented "insanity soccer camp" in the backyard, dug a hole for fun, worked on a tree house, scooter or skateboard in a parking lot or skate park. You know, be kids. :) Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoGal Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Maybe rockclimbing? It is fun, but not competitive (unless you go that way, I suppose). :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 swimming - even if it's just to get her through a full swim lesson program without becoming competitive. my girls attended a uni that used to have a swim test for graduation. one parent got it started after having a child drown. horseback riding. works all muscle groups - including the core. you could also try a different style of MA. yoga - they have some fun kids yoga dvds if you can't find a class in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 My first thoughts go to yoga and rock climbing. Another thing that might be fun is a circus arts class. If you just want her to get exercise, look at what your park authority is offering. I've noticed a couple of places have begun to offer exercise classes for girls with no particular sport in mind. They might have zumba, do some jogging, introduce a variety of sports, but the main goal is movement and fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I will suggest soccer mainly because 1. It's my answer to everything, and 2. with her Highland dance history, she could develop some mad foot skills. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 9 isn't old enough yet, but when she is, colorguard/winterguard or marching band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Family stuff is always good like biking or hiking. Or prepping for a 5K.Both my quirky kids enjoyed unicycle for a while and once you have the basics, it's really fun. The first stretch can be discouraging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Roller skating? Skateboarding? That's about the age my dd lived on skates in the house. Oh, and got her pogo stick... Miniature golf? Regular golf? Racquetball is pretty fun. My dd likes swim lessons, even when she's beyond them. She likes level 4, just before they start making you do lots of laps. Taking walks? Hiking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Swimming is a good one if she does not swim. That one is actually non-negotiable at our house. It's an important safety related skill when you live in the land of 10,000 lakes and pool parties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Ooh, ooh - juggling! It's probably really good for the brain, all that using both sides of the body and stuff. And you could take it anywhere, anytime. Or hacky sack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Swimming. :001_smile: Everyone should be able to swim well. If she ends up liking it find a team if not move on. Being on a swim team is different than other team sports. It is still much more individual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Χά�ων Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Ice skating This, there is so much to ice skating: Learn to Skate (no competitions, just going and learning) Speed Skating (this is probably the best sport, but I might be biased) Hockey Figure skating Freestyle Ice Dance (solo or partner) Pairs Synchronized Skating Theater on Ice Curling is not ice skating and is a fun sport where sportsmanship is stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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