Children are just little balls of energy in human form. That’s why playing sports with them is such a good activity.
it turns that energy into something that’s fun for everyone. As you get older, it’s harder for your body to keep up when playing certain games, though. That doesn’t mean you have to give up sports with your grandkids completely. Instead, turn to any one of these five. They’re exciting and fun for kids while also being safe and low-impact for you!
Pickleball
Pickleball is a fun and up-and-coming sport that combines parts of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a field similar in size to badminton with a ball that feels like a whiffle ball, pickleball is exploding in popularity because it’s easy to learn and a great source of exercise. It involves plenty of moving, regardless of whether you’re playing singles or doubles. The underarm swing is a more natural move than overarm tennis serves, and pickleball equipment is lighter and easier to use.
Plus, it’s an inherently competitive game. That’s enough to keep any kid invested in playing regularly with you and make it a win-win sport for everyone involved. Being with your grandkids is healthy and enjoyable; pickleball is a fun sport to play with them without being so stressful that you hurt yourself.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the best sports for active adults. It involves plenty of movement and exercise but is easier on your joints, and both of those are due to something intrinsic to the activity: the water! But that doesn’t make it an adult-only pastime. It’s versatile enough that it’s easy to find something to enjoy with your grandkids, whether it’s learning different styles, racing, or just splashing around.
The best part is that the buoyancy of the water lets you continue to play without pain for longer, so you can keep up with your grandkids’ energy. Some people swear by routines or supplements like Bali kratom powder for controlling pain, but with swimming, you don’t have to deal with it in the first place.
Golf
Golf is not usually associated with young people since it can be a slow sport. But not only will it be important for your grandkids when they play it with you, but it’s still an activity with points and scorekeeping, so they get to keep being competitive while playing a sport that’s not too fast-paced for you.
A large amount of the movement in golf comes from walking, which is already one of the best intergenerational activities, but over uneven terrain like hills and sandtraps. It’s a great sport for the brain since it involves so much hand-eye balance and decision-making. Plus, Phil Mickelson recently became the oldest major winner ever at age 50! Golf as a sport isn’t just for the young and athletic in peak shape. It’s truly for anyone.
Bowling: Speaking of games for all ages, who doesn’t love bowling? People of all ages have come to bowling alleys for decades to have fun, and while it’s not an Olympic sport yet, it has been played in the Special Olympics. It’s exciting and intense, but it doesn’t place too much strain on the body. While the ball itself can be heavy, it’s only used periodically. That means the rest of your time is spent bonding with your grandkids!
Not only is it fun, but it also needs the least personal equipment. While some people like to have their own bowling shoes or balls, it’s also easy to just rent them. That means everything you need can be carried in backpacks, handbags, or convertible bags without making the trip to and from the alley an extra strain for you.
Pool/Billiards
Some may raise their eyebrows at billiards being called a sport, but it has been considered an Olympic addition, and it’s a great activity to do with your grandkids! It’s low impact, based less on physical strength and stamina and more on dexterity, precision, and coordination. But it’s still exciting and can be high-stakes. And it’s easy to get a pool table in your home, so you can play whenever you want.
Plus, billiards is easily one of the coolest games you can play together. There’s nothing quite like dropping the eight-ball into the pocket, especially when it’s a move your grandkids will have seen themselves in movies. They’ll love getting introduced to the game by you, and it’s an easy one for you to keep up with them.
There is so much to love about sports and competition. Playing them with your grandkids is one of the best ways to pass on that spirit of adventure because it makes them personal and important. But more importantly, finding ways to play sports with your grandkids is important because there’s no better way to improve your bonding with them than to focus on having fun!
