Dog Community

Kids activities

Posted : 1/8/2007 12:42:36 PM

Was wondering if any of you had imput on good things for kids to get involved in. I want my kids to get into 4H, but here you have to be 10. They've been in soccer and love that, Tball as well. Ethan wants guitar lessons, but I feel he's too young. He's 7 and we bought him lessons on DVD and his fingers can't reach for the cords and he does not want to watch the videos.

He also has been after us to put him in hockey, but he's only been on the ice a few times. Hockey is also very expensive aside from equipment the yearly fee is almost $1000 a season. So I was wondering if your kids were in other programs that you thought were good.

sl2crmeg

Posted : 1/8/2007 2:41:43 PM

I was a Girl Scout for a long time, and it was a lot of fun. We always did lots of different things so I wasn't bored. I started when I was in kindergarden and didn't quit until 6th grade when I moved from NJ to FL.

But I don't know if any of your kids are girls. (Ethan is my little brother's name-I love that name!) So maybe boy scouts?

I believe, I don't remember because I was pretty young, that they helped my mom out with the dues and all when she couldn't afford it.

micksmom

Posted : 1/8/2007 3:50:55 PM

Boy/Cub Scouts is an excellent program. Also, our youngest played Pop Warner football off & on for years.

marty_ga

Posted : 1/8/2007 5:12:27 PM

I tried guitar for my son at 5, and had the same experience as you, Angel. But keep his wishes in mind in a year or so. Our schools started kids off on an inexpensive plastic flute, and it was a great experience for them...and you can observe their commitment to it.

Scouts can be excellent if you have a dedicated leader...so look around for a good den/troop. I took on the task on Den Mother, which made for a good den, but once he moved to Scouts it was a dud (this troop had a good history, but something went wrong somewhere).

We never tried karate, but I have heard good things about it...especially if your child lacks confidence.

I think the key is to try several different things, and stick with the ones they enjoy, and encourage new things to help form a well-rounded person in the end.

huskymom

Posted : 1/8/2007 7:19:53 PM

I don't know if you have considered Ringette. Its less expensive than hockey in most places. And IMO is the sport that all kids should go into if they want to play hockey. And its not just for girls anymore. Lots of boys play now especially in the younger levels, like novice and bunny. Power Skating is incorporated right into practice times, whereby its a seperate cost in hockey. Since ringette has yet to reach the popularity of hockey, there are less players and therefore more icetime. Kids learn to play as a team, since passing is compulsary in ringette and you can't showboat. My niece started in ringette and IMO it helped her to have an almost 6th sense about where her teamates are. She plays hockey now on her high school team and is somewhat of a legend in her hometown. Scholarships are flying her way and Team Canada has their eye on her. Ringette Rocks!