Extracurricular Sports for Kids This Fall: What You're Getting for Your Money

Now that the chaos of back-to-school is winding down, and kids are getting settled into new routines, the next area parents minds turn to is how to occupy their child's time outside of the classroom.

It's never an easy decision: do you steer your child towards the sport at which you would like him to excel? Do you put him in several activities to see which ones he likes best, despite the possibility of burning the little guy out?

For most parents I know (myself included), cost also comes into play and you have to make your decisions depending on what you want for your child as well as what you can manage financially. Here is a breakdown of some choices you may be considering and what you're getting for your money.



Extracurricular Sports for Your Kids



Swimming
In my mind, swimming lessons are a must for kids. Swimming is a life skill and lessons will teach children water safety. The question most people need answered is: at what age should they start?
Classes are available from infancy onwards. My feeling has always been to start them at an age when you're ready to commit to lessons, so it's not a skill that is dropped and later re-visited, it's a progression through the levels. If you join lessons through programs offered by your city, you can get great deals on group, private and semi-private lessons. Classes are usually more expensive if you go through a private pool. Through the City of Toronto, for eight weeks, a half hour group class is about $100.
Rating: Great

Lacrosse
Another team sport that can be played indoors or outdoors, Lacrosse is considered a good precursor to hockey. A fast game, it helps develops agility and hand/eye coordination.
It does require some equipment: a field lacrosse stick, a mouth guard, and soccer cleats if played outdoors. (Often sticks are provided for newcomers, so be sure to inquire). There are often "try it out" nights for newbies at house leagues. You can also start them young -- there are openings for age three and up. Expect to pay an annual fee if you join a league -- it's usually between $100-$200 depending on age.
Rating: Really Good

Taekwondo
Rather than teamwork, the focus is more on the individual here, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Most Taekwondo gyms now advertise "anti-bullying classes" where children learn to respect themselves and others. But it's good exercise too and involves a great deal of self discipline. Kids from ages five and up learn the various Taekwondo moves -- kicking, striking, punching and board breaking -- and have the opportunity to advance to higher levels. (Let's just hope they practise in the basement). Taekwondo classes are expensive though -- at a martial arts academy, two classes a week (45 minutes per class) costs about $80 a month (not including taxes). But after a few classes if your child is speaking with more force in her voice, you might decide the extra expense is worth it.
Rating: Good

Multi Sport Programs
If you really can't decide, there are multi sport programs out there -- usually for younger kids (toddler to preteen) -- offered at community centres or in church gymnasiums, where your child can learn the basics of a different sport each week. This could narrow down the search for you as to what they like to play. If your child really enjoys "baseball day" or "golf day", consider it a lead for spring. Check out online to see if Sportball programs (sportball.ca), a franchise that runs such classes, are offered in your city or look for an equivalent. A multi-sport class costs about $220 for ten weeks.
Rating: Fair

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