5 Old-school Sports that Are Making a Comeback

5 Old-School Sports that are Making a Comeback
5 Old-School Sports that are Making a Comeback

Between The Hunger Games, Pixar's upcoming Brave, and Marvel's The Avengers, archery is making a comeback (despite the fact that it's been here for years). All of the films (and the books that may have preceded them) feature a hero whose chosen weapon is the bow and arrow.

Two of the three heroes are teenage girls (The Hunger Games, Brave), which has already started a firestorm of kids enrolling in archery programs - archery is going to be huge. The Washington Post reported that sales of archery bows have gone up, and the buzz created with characters like Katniss Everdeen, Brave's Merida, and Hawkeye from The Avengers is only going to get bigger as the 2012 Summer Olympics loom.

Related: 10 things to consider before enrolling your kid in activities

"This is our year," said Jim MacQuarrie, a writer at Wired.com's GeekDad and a certified archery instructor at Roving Archers in Pasadena, CA. "This is archery's year."

Jim was standing next to me on the campus of Pixar Animation Studios, hence the photo (that's me and Merida, Jim can post his own photos at his site), and we both had a bow in our hands - his looking like an extension of himself, mine looking like some cyborg appendage unsure that it would take.

It took.

Turns out that archery, at least the very basics of it that allow learners some sense of instant gratification, is fairly easy. Sure, to do anything more than take a few shots with a light bow and hit the large target standing far too close would take actual training and commitment, but it is those first few experiences of watching your arrow hit the target you were aiming at that will hook kids (and adults) for years to come.

Related: How much should kids really practice their sport or instrument?

The recent interest in slinging arrows made me wonder what other under-the-radar sports might appeal to kids seeking a unique and empowering activity, so I asked around. It turns out that a lot of the parents I talked to (and their kids) are finding a renewed interest in some traditional sports. All can provide a new take on physical activity if your child is bored or frustrated by the typical offerings in gym class or games with the neighborhood kids - and on top of that, participating in these sports can foster lifelong skills of goal-setting, discipline, and overcoming challenges. If you think your kid is ready for something beyond baseball or basketball, try these offbeat activities instead:



Fencing
Fencing

1. Fencing


Does your kid like playing with swords? Sure, fighting dragons is cool, but fencing is really cool. This is a great sport to promote agility of both mind and body. Also, neat masks! Olympic fencer Mariel Zagunis brings her skills to youth fencing workshops and has noted kids' enthusiasm for the sport: "They get really excited when you bring out fencing equipment."












Related: 6 ways to support your kids without being a stage mom

Cricket
Cricket









2. Cricket


Cricket is growing in popularity as a team sport for kids. I'm guessing the real supporters of this are the laundry detergent companies. Grass stains are big business, people. While cricket hasn't reached lacrosse levels of popularity, the presence of training camps in the U.S. seems promising.

Water Polo
Water Polo












3. Water Polo


Marco Polo isn't the only polo game for kids that like the pool - water polo is the oldest sport still played in the Olympics, and the youngsters love it. Plus, what's more refreshing than diving into a pool instead of sweating in out on field? Find out if clubs near you offer clinics for interested kids.













Related: 8 outdoor activities that are more fun than video games


Rugby
Rugby









4. Rugby


Rugby is what American football would be if the players were tougher. Don't worry, there are a number of flag rugby leagues for kids so they can see how they really feel about a good scrum without all the body blows. Read about Jason Avant's son and his awesome rugby skills over at DadCentric!

Bowling
Bowling











5. Bowling


Bowling isn't just about awesome shirts and drinking too much on a Tuesday night. It's also about the children. And those cool bumpers that keep them from throwing balls right into the gutter. Those things would be handy on Tuesday nights, too. Fun fact: kids love bowling. Plus, now that bowling alleys are revamping their look to attract a new generation, there's no reason not to hit the lanes.









- By Whit Honea
Follow Whit on Babble

For 3 more sports that are making a comeback, visit Babble!

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