Youth Sports Profiles

Baseball and its close cousin softball are all-American classics and enjoyed by thousands of kids. Is your child eager to play Little League or join another youth baseball team? Find out more about this sport.

Will youth basketball be a hoop dream for your child? This indoor/outdoor, co-ed, pick-up at the park or high-stakes in the gym game can be fun for kids of all ages and abilities—whether they are tall, short, or somewhere in between.

Yes, youth cheerleading is a sport (a challenging one too). There's much more to it than perky ponytails: Find out why.

Cross country running can be a great fit if your child likes to run and loves the outdoors. Longer distances provide a challenge and changing courses offer variety.

Consider youth diving, an elegant sport with a big wow factor, for kids who love the water and acrobatics too.

If your child is a horse-lover, read on for the basics of equine sports, from dressage to stadium jumping and many more.

Guess what: Youth field hockey isn't always played on a field, and it isn't just for girls (although it's a popular option for female athletes). Find out if youth field hockey is right for your child.

Ready to try kids football (American-style)? Find out if the classic fall sport of football is right for your child and your family. In addition to tackle football, kids can also choose non-contact or flag football.

Youth golf introduces your child to a sport that's played by people of all ages and abilities. Is your family ready to hit the links?

Is your tot a tumbler or a climber? Maybe kids' gymnastics is right for him. Find out more about this popular sport.

The slam-bang sport of youth ice hockey isn't just for boys, or big kids either. Find the basics on this popular kids' sport, from costs (yes, they can be high) to risks to finding a kids' ice hockey program in your area.

Getting kids started in ice skating can open the door to several other sports as well as a recreational sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Find the basics on this kids' sport, from when lessons can start to how to find a rink or program in your area.

Kids' jump rope has reached a whole new level with competition and performance teams featuring incredible speed and amazing tricks.

Youth lacrosse is a fast-paced and fast-growing youth sport. Find out more about this exciting sport, including its Native American roots.

Yes, the word "martial" is related to war and fighting. But as a sport for kids, martial arts offers an excellent opportunity to learn athletic skills, self-defense, respect, and self-discipline. Kids martial arts also teaches when and where kicking, punching, and wrestling are appropriate—and not.

Rowing crew is no longer limited to private schools in the Northeast. This challenging sport has spread all over the U.S., with school and club teams competing in exciting regattas. Is your child ready to rock and row?

If you're lucky enough to live near a ski area, kids' skiing may become a popular extracurricular for your child. Here's what to expect.

Kids' soccer is an ideal team sport for beginners, with lots of potential for learning, fitness, and development. Find the basics on this popular kids' sport, from costs to risks to finding a kids' soccer program in your area.

Kids' swimming is a great workout and offers both an individual and team experience. Swimming is an important lifelong skill. Find the basics on this popular kids' sport, from when to start to how to find a swim team or club in your area.

Is your child the next Rafael Nadal or Serena Williams? Tennis is a sport that kids can enjoy now and continue playing for many years to come. Find out more about kids' tennis.

Youth track and field builds on basic skills kids know and enjoy: running, jumping, and throwing. Find out more about this classic sport (Ancient Greeks, anyone?) and whether it's right for your child.

This demanding sport is getting more popular among kids who love its fast action and physical challenges. Is your child interested in joining a water polo team? Here's what to expect from this sport.

Kids who try youth volleyball may just find a sport they can enjoy playing all their lives. Find out more about what this youth sport is like and which kids might enjoy it.

The ancient Greek sport of wrestling still enjoys plenty of popular among today's American kids (boys and girls)! Learn more about youth wrestling.