Sports Clubs for My Toddler Son...

Hey L.,
I to live in Ne philly and I have not only had my kids in this sports club but was a coach ( for my daughters cheerleading team and I was also Team Parent} for a few years at NEO. NEO club house is located in Burholme Park and is a wonderful organization, there he can at 4 yrs old either do T-Ball which is the younger version of baseball or he can play Flag football, U can even find out at what age they start them for scoccer. You can also check out Tarken playground inside their building to see if the Northeast Shotokan Karate Club still pratices there. My son went there it was gr-8 especially for a boy, and the karate instructors were wonderful, and the best thing was it's was pretty cheap to. My son had to stop after he had an accident {he fell down a lawn hill and broke his ankle and had to have emergency surgery to put screws in his ankle but he was 13 at the time}U could also go to Jardel and check out what sports or actives they have there. U could also check out any golf club to see if they have any young kids programs I know there's the Torresdale-Frankford Golf club at 3801 Grant Ave...and there's the Northeast Community Center on 2840 Holme Ave, and the Northeast Racquet Club on 9379 Krewstown Rdthat have alot of different things for kids to do... hope these help you some....Beckaboo from NE Philly^.~

I agree with the YMCA. There is one on Knights Road in Northeast Philly, one in Levittown, and one in Abington. There are others as well, but these are the closest to Northeast Philly.

The sports programs at the Y are run by volunteers but supervised by staff. They have the philosophy that everyone plays, so it's not the "coach's kid" who gets the most time or the best spots.

I can speak more to the Northeast Y as that is where we have been members for 10 years. The Northeast Y has an indoor pool where they have open swim, family swim, swim lessons, Mommy and Me swim, etc. There is also babysitting.

I don't mean to sound like a commercial for the Y, but it was the easiest place for me when my kids were little. The sports practices/games were on the same day at the same time -- not a schedule like the rec centers. As I worked outside of the home, timing was important.

Have fun.

Hi, L.,
Good observation and planning. I had one of those little balls of energy. Yes, sign him up. I live in Jersey so I can't site specific places but little sports gyms are popping up everywhere and offer great programs that build bodies and minds teaching them physical skills and good sportsmanship. The local recreation center has little league, soccer teams and more. My little guy played tee ball, soccer and tried Karate before he found his niche at age four which was gymnastics. He went on from there for eight years finishing seventh in the state on rings. He then went on to fence in high shcool winning the state championship for his team and placing first in the country last summer in his division. My little girl schleps all over God's green earth to his various tournaments. She has just discoverd roller skating and piano as her favorites. What's great is that I discovered I love to roller blade, too so it's something we can do together. We emphasize academics/school first, one physical extracurricular activity, one musical/arts and one-on-one time with each parent weekly. Family stuff on the weekends. (FYI, my husband and I also have date night every Thursday. Balance is key.) Always have plenty for your little girl to keep busy if your son does join a sport, and with your degree in jounalism, any time you have can be spent on your writing or journaling. Years from now you'll have a great memoir to remind you of all the running you'll be doing now. My son graduates from high school this year. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. It was exhausting especially with the little one in tow, but I wouldn't trade any of those memories for a sedentary life. Love every minute and we'll look forward to sleeping when they graduate.

When my son was that age we did a lot of sports programs through our township and through the local YMCA. Both have a great selection and great prices. We also have a local golf club that has lessons for little ones,as well as a tennis club. Good luck!