Five Great Sports for Kids with ADHD

When it comes to kids with ADHD, not all sports are created equal.

I am a obviously a huge fan of kids sports and athletics in general, but I am also the first to admit that not every sport works for every child. Attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) children can benefit from exercise of any kind, because it raises the base levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. However, not all sports work well for kids with ADHD, because they have different structures, team dynamics, and end goals. The following sports are good fits for kids with ADHD or ADD, so if you are looking for an outlet for your child, consider the following options:

Gymnastics- Gymnastics can help improve your child’s focus because it requires careful attention to body movements.

Martial Arts- The cool thing about martial arts is that there are so many different kinds, almost all of which promote discipline, self-control, self-confidence, and respect.

READ MORE: Five Great Sports for Introverts

Swimming- the structure of competitive swimming makes it a great team sport for kids with ADHD.

Soccer- Soccer works well for kids with ADHD because it can help your child develop social team-building skills, but the action is various enough to work with short attention spans.

Horseback Riding- Interacting with a horse can help kids with ADHD because the horse’s behavior largely depends on the rider, which helps teach behavioral control.