If fencing and squash aren’t cool enough for your kids, here are 10 out-of-the-box sports they might enjoy. Perhaps they might even let you join.
Boxing: Especially when it involves non-contact punching, boxing can improve coordination and agility. Classes are offered throughout the city.
Capoeira: This Brazilian martial art combines dance, acrobatics, and music. Classes are offered around the city at locations including PenArte Capoeira (near Penn Station and Midtown West), Nago Academy (Murray Hill/Kipps Bay), New York Capoeira (on the LES), and more!
Circus Tricks and Aerial Arts: Practitioners of these ancient arts dive, flip, do headstands, and otherwise move through space while hanging from scarves, swings, trapezes, and other tools. Classes offered through the 92 Y as well at other venues located in Manhattan and Long Island City at the New York Trapeze School.
Obstacle Courses: Can’t decide whether you want to do obstacles, zip line, or work ropes? The Alley Pond Park Adventure Course features activities for all ages and physical activities.
Parkour: Military-style obstacle course training uses only the human body and surroundings. Participants of just about any age climb, roll, jump, pivot, run, and swing to get from place to place as efficiently as possible. Various ages with classes around the city at Chelsea Piers, NY Parkour, and at CrossFit Kids.
Personal Training (for older kids): Because tweens no longer get their ya-yas out on the playground, a few boutique gyms around the city have begun to fitness classes to the younger set. The Upper East Side is a hot house for classes, including gyms such as AKT in Motion and Exceed Physical Culture (which also has kids classes in Tribeca). Soul Cycle offers classes for those 12 and older, Zumba classes for teen girls are offered throughout the city, and CrossFitKids classes are offered in every borough except the Bronx.
Rock Climbing: Now that the weather is getting cooler, you’ll be looking for some indoor activities. The city has several rock climbing gyms, including Chelsea Piers, SRB NYC, MPHC, The Cliffs Island, and Brooklyn Boulders. Check ahead to make sure you can rent shoes and other equipment there.
Skateboarding: Though boarding is usually a summer activity (and each borough has at least one designated skate park), enthusiasts can still get their fix at indoor parks when the temps drop. Find a place at NY Skateboarding and at New York City Skateparks). Quartersnacks is a good source for outside DIY spots.
Gaga: An addictive, dodgeball-esque game, Gaga puts players in an octagonal pit, where they try to hit other players below the knee with a soft foam ball, and try to avoid getting hit themselves. Check out the Upper East Side’s Gaga Center–it’s the only place to play in Manhattan!
Thinking ahead to warmer weather:
Mountain Biking: The Brooklyn Bike Park in Williamsburg offers a family-friendly course with a beginner and advanced pump track for mountain bike riders and BMX riders. Children and adults can rent bikes as they learn how to mountain bike. Currently closed for the season.
Sailing: Summer classes based in Battery Park, Hudson River Park, and the Upper West Side let you to see Manhattan from the water, a site you don’t get unless you’re a frequent Staten Island Ferry rider or take the boat in from Jersey.
