Two Summer Sports for the Whole Family | Woombie

When the kids are out of school, it's time to get together as a family. Summer vacation is a great opportunity to build bonds between individual family members that may have slipped when life was busier. One way to build these bonds is with sports. Getting active outside as a family unit improves teamwork and lets you have fun together. If you're looking for sports that you can do as a family, here are a few ideas.

Softball 

One of the most popular sports in the United States is baseball or softball. These sports have been around for over a century, with almost every public school having at least one team. When it comes to playing at home, you can take a much more relaxed approach. Rather than rounding the bases with a crowd cheering you on, you can play a simple game of catch in your backyard. If you don't have a large enough yard to accommodate a ball being thrown, head for a community park in your town. These parks are free to use, often have wide-open grassy areas, and will allow your family to become more familiar with your city.

When it comes to playing softball or baseball, you don't need a lot of gear. If you're just playing catch, all you need is softball gloves and a couple of balls. It doesn't really matter how scuffed up the balls get since you're not competing, so you don't need to worry about buying expensive ones. If you have the space for batting, you can purchase both wood and metal bats at your local sporting goods store. However, if you're batting in public, it's essential to make sure you're taking precautions around property so nothing gets damaged. If you want a fun sport that'll bring your whole family together, softball or baseball is for you! 

Biking

Another option that doesn't require as much prep work is biking. While some people don't consider this a sport, it still requires physical exertion and coordination. Depending on where you live, there may be public bike trails through parks or nature preserves for you and your family to enjoy. These trails are generally maintained year-round to ensure bikers' safety, so you shouldn't have to worry about them being overgrown or damaged. If there are nature preserves in your area, biking through them will allow you to see some of the local flora and fauna native to your region. 

While biking is a slightly more expensive hobby than many pick-up sports, it is still fairly cheap. Many bikes can be purchased from your local department store along with their accessories, making them highly accessible for every locality. If you want to pick up biking this summer, make sure you have the proper accessories for yourself and your family. Helmets may not be the most comfortable or stylish outfit addition, but they will protect you in case of a fall. For younger children, knee and elbow pads will help prevent painful scrapes as they learn how to balance. All of these accessories are available in department stores and online, so don't hesitate to buy them along with your bike. Getting your family outside for a bike ride is a great way to spend time together and take in some beautiful views around your community. 

To sum things up, playing a sport with your family has both social and physical benefits. Getting outside with your kids will help solidify the emotional bonds between you, all while encouraging fitness and motor skill development. If you want a fun experience for the whole family this summer, give one of these two sports a try.