Sports & Active Kids

Tummy time from day one builds the strength for rolling, sitting and crawling. Most babies walk between 9 and 18 months.

Toddlers learn by climbing, pushing and balancing. Always supervise climbing, and set equipment on a soft surface.

Talk to your pediatrician if your child isn't walking by 18 months, or loses skills they had.

Around ages 6–7, many kids are ready for organized sports. Before that, focus on fun and basic skills like running, throwing and swimming.

Sample many sports. Specializing in one sport early raises the risk of overuse injuries and burnout.

Nervous about joining a team? Start with a trial class, go with a friend, and praise effort, not winning.

Helmets for every ride: bikes, scooters and skates. Swim lessons from about age 1 reduce drowning risk, but never replace supervision.

Rest days matter: at least 1–2 days off a week and a few months off from any single sport each year help prevent overuse injuries.

Fuel with real food. Water is enough for most practices; sports drinks are mainly for long, intense sessions in the heat. Skip energy drinks.

Any hit to the head followed by headache, dizziness or confusion means sitting out and seeing a doctor before returning.

Watch for burnout: dreading practice, poor sleep, falling grades or lingering pain.