Activities for 4-yr old boys

What activities do you have your 4-yr old boys in? I'm doing ballet for my daughter and I want to find something for DS to do on his own. The only thing I have found so far is soccer, and he's not very interested in it (we've done it in the past). So I'm looking for ideas....

 

This is through their preschool but Whit does soccer, karate, and a couple of gymnastics activities (JumpBunch and Tumblebus). We try to make sure he does something everyday or he drives us (and his teachers) batty. They actually both do the same activities right now because the dance class took a break for the summer.

 

We have a preschool sports program through our county's parks department. They do six weeks each of basketball, soccer, football, t-ball, golf, tennis. Or how about swim lessons? That's what I did for my 5 year old this summer. He worked on learning all the strokes to get set for the swim team next year.

 

Its so tough with 4 yr old boys, they don't have the longest attention span (maybe its just mine). Karate when my older ds was this age and he loved it. We just had Mitch in Iddy Biddy Baseball and he LOVED it. They got to run and chase balls. Gymnastics is always great. A lot of places have mini camps right now for the little ones. Its a great place for them to run and jump and climb. Really gets out a lot of energy.

 

First things that come to mind are swimming lessons, martial arts, music lessons (piano), or junior golf. I saw a group of children on the range with an instructor with a mixture of boys and girls...mostly boys. A friend of mine is sending her child for tumbling lessons.

Is there a children's art school near you? I used to send the girls to a mixed art school which offered mini summer camps doing various activities like hip hop dancing, art (painting, plaster of paris), and even Spanish. You could sign up for one activity for an hour or for a half day of several activities.

Sharon

 

Ice skating/hockey! My boys started ice skating early and taking Mom/Dad and me classes at 3. At 4 they can often take classes without the parent. And some ice houses offer a mini-mites hockey program for 4-6 yr olds. Both my boys started hockey at 4 and LOVED it! Most of the classes were games and learning technique of skating them some fun scrimmages at the end of class. One great thing about hockey is the kids are contained in a specific area so you don't feel like you can't leave with your other little ones.
Just a thought from a hockey loving family! They also did gymnastics at age 2. That a pretty good sport for any child to develop gross motor skills and strength. My oldest stopped at 6 when it was clear he was way too tight to make it "his" sport.

 

Ben has tried:

karate
football
soccer

He disliked all of those (all taken through the rec center) except for soccer, which he tolerated. Our rec center has other options (music, art, etc.) but I want something active. Good luck! I honestly think your best bet would be to find a facility for karate!

 

How about gymnastics? Our place has classes just for boys like trampoline and tumbling classes. However, lots of the classes have girls and boys in them. I am totally going to start my boys there this Fall.

 

Gymnastics was a big hit! Swimming this summer and "trying" soccer in the fall.

 

Let us know what you choose and how it goes!!

 

Forgot to add...Y-Guides (used to be Indian Guides), but he does that with his dad. It's sponsored through the YMCA.

 

Thanks for the great suggestions. I think I found an art class for him not too far from our house. He loves to draw, so I think he will enjoy it.