Kids with endless reserves of energy can mean noise, mess, and even a little damage. Just ask my playroom wall where my son and his friends used to practice dunking on our indoor hoop…
These kids are not “bad;” especially when they are young, they just have a lot of energy. A LOT. As parents, we have to provide our kids better options than bodying a wall in our home to keep them occupied. Kids who are particularly restless after a long day at school or who are simply high-powered, as a favorite elementary teacher used to say, need an outlet. Below are 7 ways to get kids up and moving that benefit them beyond just draining some of that energy.
Soccer
One of the most popular youth sports by far, soccer is great at keeping kids moving, as well as being one of the easiest ways to access the life skills taught by team sports. This includes not just being able to work well with others, communication, and strategic thinking, but also developing the confidence to put themselves out there in front of others. The fast-paced nature of soccer helps improve cardiovascular health, coordination, balance, and endurance while providing an excellent outlet for excess energy. As a fairly dramatic game where children experience both losses and victories, soccer can also help young players learn to deal with setbacks with maturity and respect, while also celebrating and developing self-assurance. These skills translate into the classroom, at home, or during other conflicts life throws at them, and children are better equipped to handle them all.
Dance Classes
Physical activity is all well and good for burning off some energy, but some dance can simultaneously engage children in more than one way. With dance, physical activity meets creativity, helping to expand their mind and explore self-expression, which makes it a healthy outlet for both their imaginations and their emotions. Whether it’s ballet, jazz, tap, or otherwise, dance helps kids improve their coordination, flexibility, and body awareness. It’s also great for helping them learn discipline as they practice routines, follow instructions, and work hard to master new techniques. I can speak from experience when I say dance helps kids overcome shyness and coax them out of their shells. My youngest was so shy she used to have difficulty making eye contact with people. We signed her up for dance, she tackled a solo in her second year, and the rest is history. Many kids love to dance already, so it can be a perfect conduit for them to build their self-esteem and maturity.
Gymnastics
Many of the benefits that kids experience in dance classes are also found in gymnastics. A million years ago, I was a gymnast and, like my youngest, a bit shy especially when it came to moving my body. But being in the gym helped me develop strength alongside flexibility, balance, coordination and, most importantly, confidence. One of the best elements of gymnastics for kids is that it teaches them to be brave, to have confidence in their abilities, and to physically challenge their body in ways they’ve never imagined. Whether it’s a simple cartwheel or some of the more advanced routines, it’s FUN! Gymnastics also shows how important persistence and mindful practice are for improvement. This sense of building towards achievement can easily extend to other parts of life. While most gymnastic acts and routines are done solo, classes are typically held in groups, giving plenty of opportunities for social interaction and learning how to give and take support from others.
Martial Arts
Although you might be a little wary about giving your kids the tools to kick, punch, and throw with ease, the truth is that martial arts is just as much about discipline as it is about competence. Traditions like karate, taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu put as much emphasis on self-control, focus, and respect for others as they do on staying active. Martial arts tend to be great for balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. They do have some real-world applications in teaching your child some self-defense, but they also teach kids how to remain calm under pressure. As such, they’re not more likely to go out looking for fights, but rather can develop the self-confidence and control to avoid them in the first place.
Swimming
If you’re looking for the single most holistic approach to improving your child’s health, then it’s hard to beat swimming. It’s fantastic cardiovascular exercise, while also working nearly every major muscle group in the body and building endurance. Of course, there’s also the fact that it teaches kids how to swim safely, a life-long skill that can help them develop confidence in the water. Swimming is all about patience and persistence, as well, as children gradually learn new strokes and techniques. Again, while swimming itself might be a solo sport, swim clubs offer group settings, which allow for easy social interaction without your child having to worry about whether their own performance is going to impact others’ enjoyment of the activity. But take it from this mom of blondies: buy that clarifying shampoo so your tow-headed kids don’t end up look like they’re growing algae out of their scalp!
Youth Theater
Although it might not be quite as much of a physical exercise as the others mentioned above, youth theater programs give children the opportunity to tap into their creativity and love of storytelling like any other. It’s not just a freeform exploration of their imagination; it also helps them develop communication skills, public speaking abilities, and real self-confidence. Skills like memorizing lines and learning stage direction can help them build focus, discipline, and responsibility that translate into all areas of life. Theater also teaches collaboration, as every cast member plays a role in creating a successful production. Children learn to support one another, solve problems together, and adapt when unexpected challenges come up.
Scouts (And Other Outdoor Adventure Programs)
Outdoor adventure groups can offer a pretty unique combination of not just physical activity, but also practical life skills and real leadership development. The Scouts might be the most famous example, but there are plenty of alternative outdoor adventure groups you might want to look into, as well. Their programs differ, but typically, they teach hiking, camping, how to deal with outdoor challenges, and community service projects, all with the aims of teaching children responsibility, problem-solving, and teamwork. The confidence-building potential of these programs shouldn’t be underestimated, as children are a lot more likely to take on new challenges when they feel competent and well-equipped with basic life skills.
Extra-curricular activities are so much more than opportunities to expend extra energy (though that is a huge bonus!). These activities will have meaningful positive impacts on a child’s physical, emotional, and mental development.
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