10 Fun Ways to Introduce Your Child to Football in 2021

Introducing your child to football is a great way to keep them healthy, active, and entertained for hours. Football is such an easy sport for anyone to pick up, no matter how old they are or what their ability level is.

The equipment needed to play football is minimal with a ball all you really need. That makes the sport affordable and accessible to literally anyone.

If you’re keen to introduce your child to football then there are several ways you can do this. Whether they are already taking an interest in the sport or have never tried it before, the following tips will help you get your child engaged and give the sport a go.

1. Get Them a Football

The first step to get any kid involved with football is to make sure they have one. If your child is small, get a smaller football to suit them. A size two or three football will be more accessible to younger children than a standard size five.

Getting your child their own ball will give them the opportunity to get used to kicking at their own pace. This is a great way for them to learn fundamental skills without any pressure whatsoever. It also keeps them active without them even realising.

2. Make it a Present

If you give a football to your child as a present on a special occasion that will place extra value on the ball and really value it. Associating the ball with fun will encourage them to have a go with it without the need for your input.

3. Let them have a say

Alternatively, you can pick the football together. There are lots of choices out there and plenty of designs and colours to choose from. Getting your child involved from the start is a good way to get them playing with the ball.

4. Watch Football with your Child

If your child is enjoying playing football, why not encourage them to watch some with you? Explain things as they happen, answer questions and support your favourite team with them.

5. Go to a Live Game

You can watch football on the TV or, if you have the opportunity to, take them to a live game. It doesn’t have to be an elite level either, a local side or even a Sunday League game will have plenty to offer. Experiencing the atmosphere of a live game is something that cannot be replicated in real life and is an absolute must.

6. Put Up a Goal in your Garden

There’s nothing quite like scoring a goal and your child will no doubt feel the same way. Set up a goal in your garden and encourage your child to shoot. They can learn how to strike a ball and get better with a goal to aim at.

9. Get Involved Yourself

If you want to further encourage this, you can be the goalkeeper and give them someone to beat. If goalkeeping is more their thing you can swap roles and take shots at them but maybe tone down your inner CR7 when you’re taking aim.

10. Consider Pop-Up Goals

Pop-up goals are a nice alternative to traditional goals, too. You can take these to the park and set them up easily. Having multiple goals also gives you the opportunity to play 1v1 mini-matches and penalty shootouts.

Conclusion

All these tips are a great way to get your child more engaged and involved in their football. The most important thing is to make sure your child is having fun and enjoying themselves.

If you’re keen to take this one step further in a fun and friendly environment, consider bringing them along to a soccer school. Samba Soccer Schools are the perfect place to bring your children if they’re showing a keen interest in football.

They can learn to play football Brazilian way and make friends in the process. If you want more information, you can find it here.

At Samba Soccer Schools we teach football the Brazilian way with qualified friendly football coaches. If you want to try out a lesson, then book a free trial today or contact us for more information.

FAQs About Introducing Your Child to Football

How do you introduce your child to soccer?

The tips above are a great starting point for any parent or carer unsure on how to get their child interested and playing football.

At what age can you take a child to a football match?

You can take a child of any age to a football game. It’s advisable to wait until they are old enough to appreciate the event and really enjoy themselves on a day out.

How can I improve my child’s football skills?

Our blog has a lot of advice on how to improve your child’s football skills.

How do I teach my 4-year-old soccer?

If you’re looking for tips on how to help your 4-year-old improve their football skills, then you can find all the information you’ll need right here.

How do I motivate my child to play soccer?

The above tips are a good starting point to get your child interested and involved in the sport. Try not to be too forceful when introducing them to play football, though. If it’s not their thing, it’s not their thing.