I remember the days when Charlie was beginning to walk and how obsessed he was with any type of ball he came across. Which was a wonderful way for David and Charlie to bond because David was able to share his love of sports with Charlie.
One of the sports my family enjoyed playing was soccer and I wanted to let you know when people think about soccer, they often picture organized leagues, expensive uniforms, and packed schedules. While there’s certainly a place for competitive sports, some of our family’s happiest memories came from simply kicking a soccer ball around together.
For David and I soccer has been part of our family for as long as I can remember. David even played Soccer in High School and then went on to Coach Soccer in our community before he and I were together. As for me I used to play Soccer with Suzzane and my nephew David M. then Leslie my step-daughter played.
Then Charlie started playing soccer when he was just two years old. His dad coached his very first team, the Choo-Choos from his favorite movie Thomas The Train. They wore bright red shirts because red was Charlie’s favorite color. It was also my mom’s favorite color and Granny Sherry’s favorite color, so it always makes me smile when I think back on those early games.
Watching a toddler chase a soccer ball isn’t always about keeping score. It’s about laughter, encouragement, and celebrating every little kick that goes in the right direction. As a adult when I play soccer more times than not its like watching a toddler play because I can never make the ball go where I would like for it to go. But its fun and that is what counts. Isn’t it?
You Don’t Need Fancy Equipment
One of the reasons I love soccer is because almost anyone can play. Also, we don’t need a perfectly manicured field or expensive goals. My family often made our own goals using whatever we had around the house. Milk jugs, buckets, cardboard boxes, or even a pair of shoes worked just fine.
Kids don’t usually care if the goal is official. They care that someone is outside playing with them.
If you’re just getting started, these simple items can make family soccer even more enjoyable:
- A soccer ball that’s the right size for your child’s age and before you head to a Sporting Goods store check 5 Below and Dollar Tree because they carry soccer balls sometimes.
- A small ball pump to keep it properly inflated.
- Portable pop-up goals, or simply make your own with household items.
- A few training cones for obstacle courses and dribbling practice.
- Water bottles to help everyone stay hydrated during hot summer afternoons.
None of these are required, but they can make setting up a quick backyard game even easier.
When my family lived in our Mobile Home our yard became the yard all the kids wanted to play in because we had soccer goals. 2 basketball goals and water hoses for cooling off. Along with tables and chairs to rest on when you got tired even though the park was at the end of our street.
My niece Lily loved coming over to kick the ball with us while her brother Jason would play basketball with the big kids. Before long, other neighborhood kids would wander over whenever they saw us outside. Sometimes if David was home some of the men from the neighborhood would come as well.
That’s one of my favorite memories. Nobody had to send invitations. Nobody had to organize a league. Kids simply showed up because someone was outside having fun. Those afternoons reminded me that children don’t always need structured activities. Sometimes all they need is a soccer ball and a few friends.
When Charlie and even Suzzane was homeschooling soccer was one of the sports we would do in our Homeschool PE Class ie physical education. Once a week, we’d grab the soccer ball and head outside. What started as PE often turned into an afternoon filled with neighborhood kids joining us. Without realizing it, the kids were developing important life skills while simply having fun.
Soccer helps children build:
- Coordination which is something I need to work on
- Balance which helped when Charlie started track
- Endurance to keep going even when things didn’t go the way we wanted
- Teamwork and how to get along and take turns and patience
- Good sportsmanship which not only the kids needed to learn but the parents as well
- Problem-solving skills including why the ball didn’t go into the goal and what to change
- Confidence that they were good enough to play
Those lessons often last much longer than the game itself.
Easy Backyard Soccer Games
You don’t have to run drills to enjoy soccer together. Here are a few simple games families can play:
Goal Challenge: See who can score ten goals first.
Obstacle Dribble: Set up cones, buckets, or other household items and weave the ball through them.
Parents vs. Kids: Some of the funniest family memories happen when everyone joins the same game.
Penalty Kick Contest: Take turns defending the goal while everyone else shoots.
Timed Dribble Race: See who can complete a course the fastest while keeping control of the ball.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is spending time together.
We Charlie is grown now, but we still occasionally head to the park with a soccer ball. Sometimes we only play for five or ten minutes. That’s enough. Those few minutes get me moving, help me stretch, and remind me how much joy can come from something so simple.
My knee gives me trouble these days, so I have to be careful not to overdo it. We take our time, laugh when one of us misses an easy shot, and enjoy being together. Those moments matter just as much now as they did when Charlie was little.
Books That Can Keep the Fun Going
If your child falls in love with soccer, consider adding a few soccer-themed books to your home library. Beginner skills books, inspiring stories about famous players, or children’s books centered on teamwork can help keep that excitement alive even on rainy days when you can’t head outside.
Reading together is another wonderful way to encourage a love for the game. One of Charlie’s favorite books about soccer was Soccer Legends for Kids: Inspiring Stories for Kids: 20 Amazing Players Who Show Grit, Perseverance, and Mental Toughness to Achieve Their Dreams … Favorite Athletes, Leaders, and Inventors)
The Best Family Memories Don’t Cost Much
Looking back, I don’t remember what brand our soccer ball was but more times than not it was the cheapest one we could find. I don’t remember whether our goals were perfectly straight which more times than not I’m sure they weren’t. I don’t remember who won most of the games. I can bet you it wasn’t my team and that was ok.
What I do remember are the smiles, the laughter, the neighborhood kids showing up to play, and the simple joy of spending time together as a family. That’s one of the things I miss most about living in our mobile home. It was so easy for everyone to gather outside, and all it took was one soccer ball to bring people together.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to get your family outside this summer, don’t worry about organized sports or expensive equipment. Grab a soccer ball, create a goal with whatever you have on hand, and head into the backyard, driveway, or local park.
You may discover that the best family traditions aren’t the ones that come with trophies—they’re the ones built one kick, one laugh, and one summer evening at a time.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
