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Learn about youth sports as any sports event where competitors are younger than adult age, whether children or adolescents. Find out how sport can contribute to health, development, and social inclusion, as well as the challenges and concerns in sport participation.
Kids' Athletics is a free and fun way to get children and young people moving and involved in athletics. It offers activities, resources and values for practitioners and participants aged between four and 14, regardless of their background or interest in athletics.
The ecosystem of youth sports and recreation is constantly evolving. Participation trends, private equity and government investments, climate change, college sports and many other factors all impact how children play sports. The Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative evaluated 10 trends from 2024 that are worth watching in the years ahead.
Core team sports participation (meaning playing on a regular basis) for youth ages 6-17 declined 6% between 2019 and 2022. That translates to 1.2 million fewer youth regularly playing team sports, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
Organized sports participation needs to be available to all youth, regardless of gender, neighborhood, or socioeconomic status. Youth sports should emphasize fun, and maximize physical, psychological, and social development for its participants.
Children are returning to pre-COVID sports participation rates. In 2023, core team sports participation (meaning playing on a regular basis) reached its highest levels for all ages of children since 2015, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department offers youth sports programming for ages 4–18 at 27 of our Community Centers. For location, hours, additional information or to find your closest center, please click here.
