Tips for Kids Sports and Activities

As your child grows older, he or she will likely want to learn and participate in a sporting activity. Maybe it starts with kicking around a ball in the backyard or racing his or her friends around the block. Maybe they grew up watching famous athletes on TV and already have an idea of what they sport they want to pursue. If they don't though, how do you choose which type of sports to sign your kid up for?

Aside from that, your Flexible Spending Account can keep a role in your entire family's activity, or exploring a new one together. You can use an FSA to get a physical exam, or use it to buy hot and cold therapy packs, or even get elastic tape like KT Tape, which the pros use.

There are some things to consider when picking the right one. Some children have certain body types or athletic abilities that make them more fit for some sports than others. Depending on where you live, certain sports are more feasible or popular. You'll also want to see what's more suitable for desired by your child: an individual or group sport.

Follow these steps to figuring out what's the best option:

1. Get a check-up before participating in any sport activity. A physical exam is important for you to discuss with the doctor whether your child is fit for the physical demands of certain sports. Children are often injured in sports because they are prepared for it or have a limitation such as asthma or joint issue they don't know about. Physical exams are an eligible medical expense with your Flexible Spending Account.

2. Expose your child to a bunch of different sports experiences as a spectator and see which one they respond most enthusiastically to. Actively discuss the various sports with him.

3. Discuss and make observations on whether your child would prefer to do a team sport or individual sport. With a team sport like soccer and basketball, they play a role on a team and have to depend on each other for success. With an individual sport like swimming or golf, their own skills matter most.

4. Try more than one sport and spend one-on-one time learning skills crucial for each sport. Luckily, sports are often spread out throughout the seasons so that maybe you can play soccer in the spring, football in the fall, and so on. Honing skills is important for improvement and also quality time. Spending time in the backyard playing catch or dribbling a ball both allows your kid to learn skills in a non-threatening and low stress environment.

Take time to explore options, practice often, and support your child throughout the process of playing sports. It's a big and exciting undertaking.

Be prepared for sports season with one of our bundles: Healthy Kids, Family Necessities, and more!