Editor’s Note: Soccer Planet is a sponsor of chambanamoms.com
No doubt about it, kids in Champaign-Urbana love soccer!
Parents love it when their little ones can participate in a fun, indoor activity that lets them burn off energy while having a great time.
Soccer Planet is a great mix of fun and guided physical activity in a climate controlled space.
Britni Kesler, Manager of Youth Programs at Soccer Planet in Urbana, gives us the scoop on this popular indoor soccer facility that caters to your mini soccer players.
Q) What is the right age for my child to start playing soccer?
We believe that children can start playing soccer as young as 18 months old. We have many different classes that range from 18 months old – 9 years old. Having a large variety of classes ensures that your child will be in the best class for their development. . Our youngest classes are parent-child, where the parent is on the field participating in the games. When your child gets a little older (Around the 2.5 year mark) we offer classes that start off as parent-child, but as the session moves on the parents will slowly step off of the field until the child is playing independently. For some children, this may only take one class, and for others, it may take the full session.
Q) What is unique about the Lil’ Kickers program?
We are very unique in that although we are a soccer program, we are a child development program first. Our classes have curricula that teach children skills that help them grow physically, socially and emotionally. Every game that we play has a purpose, and it is not just to create the next soccer super star. Our classes focus on fun, balance, coordination, creativity,teamwork, socialization, basic soccer skills and much more.
Q) How can I prepare my child to join your program, if s/he has never played the game?
What is great about the Lil’ Kickers program is that we have beginner level classes for every age group. Most of the kids who join our classes are first time soccer players and have had no prior preparation or experience in an organized class/sport. We are happy to expose them to the sport for the very first time!
For the child that may have played soccer or an organized sport before, we have advanced classes. These advanced classes have all of the fun of the beginner Lil’ Kicker classes,with a bit more emphasis playing the game of soccer.
Q) Will my child need any special equipment to play in your facility?
When your child is signed up for their first full session of classes, they will receive a free Lil’ Kickers uniform. We also sell these throughout the session for $25.00. The uniform is not required. As long as they have comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes then they are ready to play!
Soccer Planet’s 24,500 square foot facility is clean, bright, environmentally controlled and caters to both kids and parents. We have concessions, Wi-Fi, and plenty of seating!
Q) How does Soccer Planet make soccer fun for all kids?
Our coaches and well-designed curriculum are what make this program so much fun. The coaches love children, and have just as much fun on the field as the kids do! They love soccer and they LOVE to educate.
The traditional way of teaching a sport is to train players on certain skills using adult-like drills. Our curriculum is filled with child-centered games that focus on fun and effort. The children don’t even realize that they are learning something new every week!
Our goal is that every child leaves with a smile and a high level of confidence that is hard to obtain anywhere else but here!
Have a little Beckham or Hamm at home? Lil’ Kickers Winter Registration is Open Now!