I take it for granted that I grew up in a home that loved sports. I know not every home had the privilege to play a sport or even gain the knowledge of how to, but for me these experiences created strong family bonds. As a child, I collected baseball cards, watched the Dallas Cowboys, and obsessed over Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. My parents took us to professional baseball games and football games and taught us to play sports. How can I share my love of sports with my kids? With a family basketball day!
You can turn the sport of basketball—or whichever sport you are most obsessed with—into a fun family activity. You don’t have to be a sports fanatic or even know how to play the game to make you eligible to teach your kids. Focus on the fact that you both may learn a little something and have a good time doing it!
For more ideas about summer experiences you can do while learning at home with your kids, visit the main page, Charter a Summer of Learning.
Play Together for Family Basketball Day
Basketball day is a good fit for my family because my kids are all familiar with the game and we own a basketball hoop at home. If you’d rather pick a different sport that’s okay—just apply these same principles and you’ll be good to go.
Make sure to read through all the links first so you’ll be prepared ahead of time with a game plan. Here are some basic things you might need:
Basketball
Basketball hoop
Comfortable clothing and shoes
Introduce Preschoolers to Basketball
Every kid loves to play with a ball. Start by introducing them to the different balls used for each sport: basketball, baseball, tennis ball, football, soccer ball, etc. If you have each of these balls at home great; if not, show them pictures. Explain to them how you’ll be introducing them to a new activity/sport.
If you want to make a small investment, you can purchase a small indoor basketball hoop. If you’d rather not spend any money, just crumple up some paper into a ball and use your trash can as a hoop. The whole point is just to introduce your young children to a new sport and explain to them the concept.
Basketball Day with Big Kids
Most school-age kids understand the overall concept of basketball, and that’s a starting point for a fun family basketball day to gain a deeper appreciation of the sport. To further their knowledge, you can mix and match the following activities for a great learning experience. Don’t forget to make it fun and incorporate the entire family for a fulfilling time. Pop some popcorn and turn on the TV! Warning: Some of these require you to move and get some exercise in. 😁
As a warmup, here are some brief YouTube videos to watch together to appreciate the history of the sport.
The History of Basketball in 5 Minutes
Top 10 Most Unforgettable NBA Playoff Games Ever
For a longer viewing experience, The Last Dance is a documentary series about Michael Jordan and the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls. You can watch the series on ESPN or streaming services.
During Family Basket Ball Day, you and your kids can get outside and play. Maybe we can’t gather enough players for a team, but you can practice some drills to keep your skills sharp.
Youth Basketball Drills for Kids 8–13 Years Old
Don’t forget to play a game of HORSE! If you’ve never played the game, check this guide for all the details.
When it’s time to wind down, curl up with a book about basketball, like one of the titles in “20 Slam-Dunk Basketball Books for Kids” suggested by We Are Teachers.
Local Connection for Family Basketball Day
In our city, we are privileged to have our very own championship-winning NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs! Keep up with your favorite players on the official video channel.
For more ideas about summer experiences you can do while learning at home with your kids, visit the main page, Charter a Summer of Learning.
About the Author
Lora Idol is a working mom and part of the San Antonio Charter Moms team. She is a wife, a mom to three kiddos ages 10, 8, and 7, and a dog mom to a German shepherd named Gunnar. When she’s not working she loves reading, writing, thrifting, hanging out with her friends, and watching football.
