Best Sports Classes For Kids In New York City
Sports are a great way for kids to develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, improve self-esteem and just have some fun. Here's a showcase of some of the top sports class picks for kids.
CityParks Junior Golf Center
www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/jr_golf.html
8850 14th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11228
(718) 259-2999
This non-profit CityParks organization offers free golf lessons to kids 7-17 at the Dyker Beach public golf course in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Kids will learn the basics of the game from experienced golfers directed by PGA professional Gregg Gaulacher. What better way to try golf without impacting your budget?
Chelsea Piers Field House
www.chelseapiers.com
Pier 6, 23rd Street and Hudson River
New York, NY 10011
Chelsea Piers is the one of the most popular multi-use sports facilities in the city, dedicating a grandiose 80,000 square feet to a wide-range of sporting activities which include golf, basketball, rock climbing, gymnastics, basketball, bowling, ice-skating and more. They also offer golf and basketball clinics throughout the year as well as drop-in programs. (An added bonus: there is a cafe where parents and caregivers can relax while waiting for their child.)
Fencers Club
www.fencersclub.com
229 W. 28th Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 807 - 6947
Fencing may not be on your radar screen but this fast-paced sport may be the one that catches your child's fancy. Children (ages 7 and up) who take classes here will train at one of the oldest fencing facilities in the country. Established in 1883, the Fencer's Club has trained scores of Olympians and National Champions. One great selling point is that the center offers an affordable introductory youth package of three lessons for $150 to see if your child will take to the sport.
Elftennis
www.elftennis.com
133 E. 29th Street
New York, NY 10014
(631) 948-1103
Elftennis offers age appropriate tennis classes that focus on drills and games for children 3 and up. What makes Elftennis unique is that they use smaller nets and foam balls to make the game easier for children to hit and field the ball. (They also have a Park Slope location.)
YMCA
http://ymcanyc.org/index.php
Multiple Locations
Area Ys offer a multitude of sport classes for your child to try from swimming to karate to basketball and much more. Be sure to contact your local Y in your area for reasonably priced classes, schedules and fees.
Linda Grant is a blogger at Mom in the City.
