First Sports for Little Kids

Your child's first sport should be a joy, so remember to put FUN front and center. Plus, locate T-Ball & rec soccer sign-ups right here.

By Tina Pratt

Published March, 2021

Updated July 25, 2023

Excited about enrolling your child in a sport? Don’t fret … you are not alone! But where do you begin? Before enrolling your child, there are some things to look for … and realize that there’s no “best” first sport; there are plenty of sports all kids can enjoy. You’ve heard how Tiger Woods learned golf from his dad at the age of 3, and you’ve seen Serena Williams’ 3-year-old daughter learning tennis.

But where should your child start? For many parents, the first sport they’ll sign a child up for will be T-Ball or soccer. But many kids start with basketball or the sport most favored by the parent. No matter what you choose, put playful learning at the middle of the experience and you’re sure to have a great time.

Your child’s first sport

Many children are introduced to a variety of sports before even learning to read, and while many preschoolers are ready for organized team sports, getting your child started should be about enjoyment.

If your 3- or 4-year-old wants to try T-Ball, scope out a team to watch together and see if it resonates. Or take a look at soccer — it’s an easy first sport because it’s a big ball and easy to start with for kids just developing coordination.

First team sports should teach your child about listening, waiting, turn taking, following directions,
being physically active, and most importantly, it should encourage your child to have fun!

Giving your child the opportunity to dabble in a few youth sports will help him decide if he likes one over another.

For all kids starting sports, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids play multiple sports and delay specializing until age 15 to avoid injuries and burn out.

Starting out, as you work on deciding what sport to begin with, observe your child and steer him accordingly, says Jordan Metzl, M.D., author of The Young Athlete: A Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide for Parents.

Considerations

• Is your child old enough to make a commitment to an entire season?

• Has your child shown an interest in a sport?

• Does your child enjoy physical activity?

• Does your child enjoy playing with others and can he be separated
from you?

• Is your child able to take turns?

Which sport?

• If your child gets along with others and loves to run, try soccer.

• If your child loves to tumble, has good balance and has upper body
strength, try gymnastics.

• If your child loves to throw and catch, try T-Ball.

• If your child loves being in the water, try swimming.

• If your child loves to bounce a ball and can toss with good aim, try
basketball.

• If your child loves the cold and sliding around, try ice hockey.

• If your child is a roughhouser, try football.

T-Ball and
Soccer for Beginners

T-BALL

Davidson County

Bellevue Sports Athletic Association
bsaainc.org
Ages 5 and older.
Metro Parks & Recreation
nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Athletics/Tee-Ball
Ages 4 – 6.
McCabe Park Little League
mccabelittleleague.com
Ages 5 and older.

Tennessee Youth Baseball Association
bsaainc.org
Ages 3 and older.

West Nashville Sports League
wnsl.org
Ages 5 and older.

Rutherford County

Murfreesboro Baseball Association
murfreesborobaseball.com
Softball and baseball t-ball for ages 4 and older.

Murfreesboro Optimist Little League Baseball
murfreesborooptimist.com
Ages 5 and older.

One Goal Sports
onegoalsports.com
Ages 4 – 5.

Sumner County

Gallatin Parks and Recreation
gallatintn.gov/1930/Baseball
Ages 5 – 6.

i9 Sports
i9sports.com/programs
Ages 3 – 4.

Hendersonville Parks and Recreation
hvilletn.org
Ages 4 – 5
Williamson County

Brentwood Civitan Club
brentwoodcivitan.org
Ages 5 – 6.z

Williamson County Parks and Recreation
wcparksandrec.com
Seven different locales to play. Ages 5 and older.