How We Get Our 3 Young Kids Ready for a New Sports Season
The start of a new sports season is exciting—but with three young kids, it can also mean a whole new schedule, new routines, new gear, and a lot of “Wait, what day is practice again?”
Over the years, we’ve found that a little preparation before a new season starts can make the transition much easier for our family. Not because we have some perfect system (we definitely don’t!), but because young kids tend to do better when they know what’s coming.
Here are a few things we do to get our kids (and ourselves) ready for a new sports season.
Put Everything on the Calendar
The first thing we do is get every practice, game, and activity on the calendar.
With three kids, it’s way too easy to keep everything in our heads until suddenly we’re realizing that two kids have activities at the same time or we forgot about something completely.
Seeing the whole schedule in one place helps us understand what our fall will actually look like.
This year, we’re also trying a Skylight digital family calendar. I’m hoping it will make keeping track of everyone’s schedules even easier, but I’ll report back once we’ve actually put it to the test!
The bigger lesson for us is simply this: get the schedule out of your head and somewhere everyone can see it.
Figure Out What We Actually Need
Before the season starts, we take a look at what each child will need.
Do they have sneakers that still fit? The right clothes? A water bottle? Equipment?
Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes three months of growth have made that answer a very definite no.
We like to figure this out before the first practice rather than discovering the night before that someone's cleats don't fit anymore.
And you don't necessarily have to buy everything new. We check what we already have, see what can be passed down between siblings, and then shop for whatever we're actually missing. We’ve received several barely worn cleats from family and friends and there are sports stores that sell used equipment as well, so get creative if your budget is tight!
It’s a small thing, but eliminating that last-minute scramble makes the beginning of a new season feel much calmer.
Start Talking About the New Routine Before It Begins
One of the biggest things we’ve learned with our kids is that a “surprise!” change in routine isn’t always the most successful approach. So before a new season starts, we start talking about it.
We might say things like: “On Saturday, you’re going to have soccer practice.” or “After breakfast, we’re going to get dressed and go to the field.” or “Mama will be at soccer to watch you while you play.”
For kids who are experiencing something for the first time, those little conversations can make a big difference. Instead of sports suddenly becoming something that happens to them, they have some idea of what’s coming.
Use Books and Videos to Show Them What to Expect
If one of our kids is trying something completely new, we’ll look for books, videos, or other resources that show them what the activity will be like. This can be especially helpful for younger kids who may not fully understand what “soccer practice” or “gymnastics class” actually means.
Reading a story about a character going to practice or watching a short video of kids participating in the activity gives them something concrete to connect the words to. If you’re looking for a great story for your child, be sure to check out My First Soccer Practice here!
Use a Visual Schedule When We’re Introducing a New Routine
Whenever we’re introducing a brand-new routine, we’ll often use a visual schedule.
Young children don't always have a great concept of time, so telling them, “We're leaving in 20 minutes” or “Practice is after lunch” doesn't necessarily mean much. A visual schedule gives them an anchor. It might show something as simple as:
Breakfast → Get Dressed → Car → Sports Practice → Home
That way, they can see what’s happening now, what comes next, and when the activity will be over. We don't use a visual schedule for everything, but during periods of change, we've found that having something predictable to refer back to can be really helpful.
Stock Up on Easy Snacks
This one is less about helping the kids adjust and more about helping us survive the season!
Sports and snacks seem to go together, especially with young kids. So before a busy season starts, I like to make sure we have plenty of easy snacks like these that can be thrown into a bag on our way out the door. Because inevitably, someone will announce they're starving approximately 90 seconds after we leave the house.
Having a few grab-and-go options ready saves us from making another stop somewhere!
Keep One Sports-Season Bag Packed
I also keep one large bag packed with the things we tend to need over and over again. Ours is a well-loved L.L.Bean tote, and it basically lives by the door during the sports season.
Below are some of the top items we keep ready…check out our full recommended list here!
Wipes
Non-perishable snacks
Small toys
A blanket
Extra little necessities for the kids
The contents change depending on the season and the ages of our kids, but the idea is the same: keep the things you use constantly together in one place.
That way, I'm not starting from zero every time we leave the house.
You Don't Have to Do All of This
And this is probably the most important part.
These are simply the things that work for our family.
Some seasons, we’re incredibly organized. Other seasons, we’re running out the door with one kid wearing two different socks and somebody eating a granola bar in the car.
There’s no perfect way to prepare for a new sports season and what works for one family might not work for another.
But if your child is starting a new activity or your family is adjusting to a busier fall schedule, choosing just one or two ways to make the transition more predictable can be a great place to start.
Looking for a Low-Pressure Sports Program for Your Little One?
If you're looking for a sports program for your young child this fall, Inclyousion Sports was designed with this exact stage of childhood in mind.
Our programs introduce young children to sports in a fun, inclusive, low-pressure environment. You don't need to purchase special equipment or a uniform, and our programs include a built-in social story to help children understand what they're going to experience before they arrive.
Whether your child is trying a sport for the first time or just needs a little extra support getting comfortable with a new routine, our goal is to make that first experience a positive one.
Ready to find a program near you? Click here to explore our locations!
