Free Sports For Kids

Now that the
warmer weather has wandered in, kids can (and should) go outside to release energy and get a
breath of fresh air. And the great thing about physical fitness is that it can
be—wait for it—free! From jogging and diving, to tennis and teeing off, here’s
a list of how (and where) kiddos can play at no extra cost. —

Running

Today is National Running Day, and children and
adults alike across the city will be strapping on sneakers for the occasion.
For a list of NYC groups who are running together, click here. Kids might not want to run a marathon, but if you
make it to one of the city’s charity checkpoints and sign in, National Running
Day will make a donation to Shoes That
Fit, an organization that brings athletic shoes to children in need.

Tennis, Golf
and Track & Field

The City Parks Foundation offers
free tennis, golf and track and field programs throughout the summer. Golf
session 1 runs from July 5-29 with session 2 from August 1-26. Tennis starts
July 5 and ends August 26. Track & Field begins July 11 and goes until
August 17. Applications are being accepted now—call (212)
360-8283 to request one. Visit here
for more info.

The New York Junior Tennis League also offers free tennis instruction and play for students ranging in ages 6-18 in locations throughout the five boroughs. Spring session ends June 24 and the summer session starts July 5 and runs until August 26. All levels are welcome and loaner rackets are available. You must register in-person with your child at the location nearest you.

For fun in the
sun, play 14 holes at the FIGMENT 2011 Minigolf
course on Governor’s Island for free. This year, the course’s theme is all
about bugs—both the creepy crawly kind and the computer virus variety. Open
Fridays from 10-4pm,
Saturdays from 10-6pm,
and Sundays from 10-6pm,
from now until September 25.

Baseball

From August 1–4,
kids ages 8 to 13 can take part in the Twelfth
Annual New York City Baseball Clinic, a four-day program sponsored by the
Turn 2 Foundation, founded by baseball legend Derek Jeter. Kids will learn the
fundamentals from local coaches for free! Sign up registration for the 2011
clinics will be on Saturday, June 25 from 12 to 3 pm at the Al Oerter Recreation Center in Flushing.

But in the
meantime, brush up on basics by practicing in your local park and check out our
recent post
on baseball hitting tips from Coach Raymond De La Cruz of On Deck NY.

Swimming

Take a dip in
one of the great public pools in the city. The John Jay Pool and Recreation at E. 77th St. and Cherokee Place (east of York Ave.) is one of the city’s most popular
pools, offering an outdoor space with a diving board, a snack bar and a
playground nearby. It’s free, but the pool suggests suggest a $25 yearly
donation for adults and a $10 yearly donation for teens. (Open daily from 11am-7pm, 212-794-6566)

For a free
indoor pool, head to Recreation Center 59 at 533 W. 59th Street. Like John Jay Pool, there is a $25
suggested yearly donation for adults and a $10 one for teens. (Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, 6pm-6:45pm, 8:45pm-10pm, Sat 3:45pm-5:30pm, Closed Sun, 212-397-3159)

The Asser Levy Rec Center at 23rd and FDR
drive offers two outdoor pools for free. Membership for the indoor pool is $75
a year for adults but free for kids and teens under 18. (Outdoor pool hours are
11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 4:00
pm to 7:00 pm, 212-447-2020)

For youngsters (ages
six and up) who aren’t ready for a grown-up pool, check out the Tompkins Square Mini Pool. At three
feet deep, the pool is perfect for a little one who loves the shallow end! It’s
totally gratis and open daily from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 4:00
pm to 7:00 pm (212-260-1316).

The city Department
of Recreation offers free swimming lessons and swim teams at public pools
in all five boroughs. Kids are enrolled via a lottery system – online lottery
registration begins June 18 at midnight and ends Friday June 24 at 11:59 pm. You must be a registered member of your
local recreation center.

FINAL THOUGHT: And for swimming, indoor sports (like
karate!) and more, there’s always your local Y – though not free, the YMCA is offering summer membership
discounts for both adults and families.

The Little Gym of Bay Ridge- Bensonhurst

At The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurt, we specialize in unique, educational classes that revolve around active play. We give children a safe and inspiring space to direct their energy, build confidence, and develop key skills. Explore the range of classes we offer at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst to find the one that&rsquo;s just right for your child.&nbsp;

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.