Children's Recreational Activities

Children's recreational activities are designed for appropriateness, skill level and purpose. Activities can range from organized sports to independent studies of interest. All give children an advantage when it comes to growth and well-being. For many, the beginning of life-long passions, such as sports, art, a love of nature and other hobbies, began through recreational activities they participated in as children.

Sports

• Baseball, an American pastime, is one recreational activity for children.

  One recreational activity for children is organized sports. Most cities have a parks and recreation department offering team sports for various age groups. Some choices are football, softball, baseball, soccer, basketball and volleyball. Many parks and recreation departments also offer different forms of martial arts, if your child is more interested in a solo sport.

Dance

• Introducing dance to young children helps hone agility, balance and self-esteem.

  Recreational dance certainly could be considered a sport, but with all the different styles and genres, it is set into its own category. Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, lyrical and tap are all different forms of dance that children could enjoy. For children who like to compete, ballroom dancing is a good fit. There are also different ethnic dance groups and troupes that introduce children to a new forms of expression.

Arts and Crafts

• Art not only empowers expression, it also gives a good reason to get messy.

  For children who are more artistically inclined, there are a lot of recreational activities that keep the little Picasso in your life busy. From painting and drawing, to sculpture and pottery to sewing and fashion design, parks and recreation programs as well as retail businesses offer arts and craft courses for children.

Odds and Ends

• Children's recreational activities include such other opportunities as chess, science courses, academic tutoring, computer clubs, hiking clubs and archery. Whatever interests your child or whatever you feel you would like to introduce to him, there's a recreational activity that fills the need. Check with your local parks and recreational department, preschools, churches, middle schools and high schools for classes and ideas.