You’ve signed your kid up for soccer, but now what? Here are all the soccer mom essentials you need to rock your new life as a soccer mom.
Congratulations! You’ve officially joined the ranks of soccer moms across the United States.
Soccer truly is a great sport for kids to play. It’s a fantastic way to introduce children to the benefits of sports. They can learn practical lessons about team work, social interaction, responsibility and work ethic. Additionally, they gain more self-confidence, drive and focus as they work hard to improve. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun!
My oldest son started playing soccer just after he turned 4. Every Saturday, he’d put on his XS soccer jersey that completely covered his shorts, and off we’d go to his game. At that age, soccer is really just a clump of little soccer players following the ball around the field. Honestly, it’s adorable.
Now, I have two little soccer players at my house with two more to add in the coming years. Having spend many a Saturday out on the soccer field myself, both as a player growing up and now as a soccer mom, I wanted to share my top soccer mom essentials.
When you hear the phrase “soccer mom essentials,” I know, your first thought is:Can you be a real soccer mom if you don’t own a minivan?Of course you can! I don’t care you if drive a Honda Odyssey or a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, being a soccer mom is about way more than what you drive.
Really, I just wanted to share with you some advice as well as some of my favorite products. While some of my soccer mom essentials are strictly soccer necessities, many of these soccer mom essentials actually apply to more than just soccer moms. They can be just as useful for any mom who has to sit through her child’s sport.
So scroll on down to learn all about the soccer mom essentials you need as a new soccer mom.
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Soccer Mom Essentials: The Basics
Soccer Ball
I guess the best place to start with soccer mom essentials is the soccer ball itself. Did you know soccer balls come in different sizes? This is one big question for new soccer parents. Be sure to check with your child’s league to see what size they are required to use, but here is a general guide.
Size 1 (souvenir): A Size 1 soccer balls typically serve as souvenirs.
Size 2 (under 3): A Size 2 ball is generally just used for toddlers to play with.
Size 3 (under 8): Most children will use a size 3 soccer ball when they start playing.
Size 4 (8-12 years): In later elementary school, children will transition to a size 4 soccer ball.
Size 5 (12 years +): By age 12, children usually switch to a full-size soccer ball which they will use from now on.
Shinguards
Personally, I wear the Nike Mercurial Lite shinguards where the shinguard slips into a sleeve you wear around your calves. It’s terribly convenient to take them on and off. For little kids, however, I much prefer shinguards that also protect the ankle. Because with little kids soccer, they are very liable to get kicked accidentally by another player. When choosing shinguards, make sure you get ones sized correctly for your child’s height. And your shinguard is required to go under and be completely covered by athletic socks when you play.
Soccer Cleats
While your child can wear regular tennis shoes when playing, for better traction, players should wear soccer cleats instead. The main thing to remember is that soccer cleats are different from other sport cleats. They don’t have spikes and don’t have a cleat in the front of the foot. You are allowed to wear soccer cleats in most any other sport, but you can’t wear football, baseball or lacrosse cleats in soccer. Trust me, you need to have the right type of cleat. I have a scar on my leg from a girl who wore the wrong kind cleats at soccer practice.
Water Bottle
You don’t really need to go fancy here. My kids all have their own water bottles at home, so that’s usually what they bring. My little boy even has a darling soccer ball Camelbak water bottle. Though I generally use whatever free water bottle I get from my last bike event. Soccer involves a lot of running, so make sure to keep your little one hydrated. Water is much better to drink during a game. Gatorade should only be used for post-game recovery.
Sport Sunblock
No one wants to think of their kid getting skin cancer, so always put sunblock on your child. Normally, this would be a great place to recommend a product, but honestly, I haven’t fallen in love with any yet. So if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know in the comments. Just make sure to put sunblock on your child for every game and practice.
Related: The Importance of Setting Smart Fitness Goals
Soccer Mom Essentials: Practice
Pop-Up Goal
If you want your budding soccer star to practice at home, a pop-up goal is definitely one of the top soccer mom essentials to have. Sometimes, I’ll even set up my pop-up goal in the living room and let my kids play with small-sized soccer balls. (Remember, my kids are still rather little.) The most important feature is how easy they are to fold. I love the Pugg soccer goals I have. They are much easier to fold than others I’ve used. If you have young children and just plan to use them at home, I would stick to the 4 foot option.
Soccer Handbook
The thing with any kids recreational league is that they are always looking for volunteers to coach. Even if you get out of coaching, sometimes the parent who does coach doesn’t know a thing about soccer. Whether you want to teach dribbling or learn some soccer thrown in drills, Soccer Source 360 has some great manuals that they give out free to coaches. You can also scour Youtube for videos teaching specific concepts.
Hairbows
Now that my daughter plays soccer, I’m realizing one of her favorite parts is having me (attempt to) do her hair. I am terrible at doing my own hair, and my daughter’s super fine hair always makes it so much harder. But it’s all about the bows. Check out this darling soccer themed hair bow. Because you’ll want her to look cute in pictures, even if she is just picking dandelions on the field.
Related: Four Tips for Your First Time at the Gym
Soccer Mom Essentials: Game Day
Folding Chair
The staple of any sports mom, a folding chair is simply a must. I bring a chair for every adult and for each kid attending the game. Since my munchkins are little, I even bring one for my little soccer player since they get to sit with me when they aren’t playing in the game. I have the Ozark Trail kids chairs from Walmart for my kids. I just love that they come in fun little patterns. You can find kids camping chairs anywhere. Though I saw this Kelty loveseat chair at the store the other day and I think it looks awesome.
Sport-Brella
My mom bought this for me last year and it is so cool. We used to bring regular umbrellas to the games to get some shade, but with the Sport-Brella Extra Large Umbrella we can shade the whole family easily. And it pack ups much smaller than most of the canopies people bring. The flaps roll up and down to give more or less coverage. It’s also great for the beach or the splashpad.
Cooler
For tournament weekends or back-to-back games, it can be nice to brings some extra snacks to munch on. We have this 6 can cooler that we use all the time for road trips. It’s a great size to fit some items, but lightweight so you don’t feel like you are lugging around your whole kitchen. For large quantities, I would get a full size cooler with the thick sides.
Camera
While I love taking pictures on my smartphone, for sports nothing really beats having a DSLR camera. I just have an entry-level Nikon DSLR camera, and I love it! As long as you have a proper memory card with a high transfer speed. It takes pictures so fast compared to my old point and click. Once you have a manual zoom, you’ll never want to go back.
Wagon
I know I’ve listed about a million things as essentials, but how to you carry it all? A wagon is my favorite new addition to my soccer collection. I have the Mac Sports collapsible folding utility wagon, and it’s a life saver. Be warned, it’s not actually intended to haul children since it doesn’t have brakes or seatbelts, so do so at your own risk. But you can haul so much stuff to and from your car! I use it all the time because any activity with kids seems to involve a lot of stuff.
Are you a soccer mom? What are your soccer mom essentials?
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Introduction
As an enthusiast and experienced soccer mom, I can provide valuable insights and information related to all the concepts mentioned in the article. I have firsthand experience as both a former soccer player and a current soccer mom, and I have gained in-depth knowledge about the sport and the essential items needed for a successful soccer mom life.
Soccer as a Great Sport for Kids
Soccer is an excellent sport for children to play as it offers numerous benefits. It teaches practical lessons about teamwork, social interaction, responsibility, and work ethic. Children also gain self-confidence, drive, and focus as they work hard to improve their skills. Additionally, soccer is a fun and enjoyable activity for kids of all ages.
Soccer Mom Essentials: The Basics
Soccer Ball
Choosing the right soccer ball is crucial, and it's important to consider the appropriate size for your child's age group. Soccer balls come in different sizes, ranging from souvenir-sized balls (Size 1) to full-size balls (Size 5) for older children. It's essential to check with your child's league to determine the correct size required.
Shinguards
Shinguards are a vital piece of protective equipment for soccer players. For young children, it is recommended to use shinguards that also protect the ankle, as accidental kicks are common at this age. Ensure that you select shinguards that are properly sized for your child's height, and remember that they should be worn under athletic socks during play.
Soccer Cleats
While regular tennis shoes are acceptable for playing soccer, wearing soccer cleats provides better traction on the field. It's important to note that soccer cleats differ from other sport cleats, as they don't have spikes and lack a cleat in the front of the foot. Ensure that your child wears the appropriate type of cleats for soccer to prevent injuries.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential during soccer games and practices. While any water bottle will suffice, it's recommended to have a dedicated water bottle for your child. Remember that water is the best choice for hydration during the game, and sports drinks like Gatorade should be reserved for post-game recovery.
Sport Sunblock
Protecting your child's skin from the sun's harmful rays is crucial. Apply sunscreen before every game and practice, and make sure to choose a high-quality sunblock with a high SPF. While specific product recommendations are not provided in the article, it's important to find a sunblock that suits your child's needs and offers effective protection.
Soccer Mom Essentials: Practice
Pop-Up Goal
If you want your child to practice soccer at home, a pop-up goal is a valuable tool. Pop-up goals are easy to fold and transport, making them convenient for home use. They come in various sizes, but for young children, a 4-foot option is ideal.
Soccer Handbook
If you're interested in coaching or want to assist your child's coach, having a soccer handbook can be beneficial. Soccer Source 360 offers free manuals for coaches, providing valuable information on teaching dribbling, drills, and other soccer concepts. Additionally, YouTube is a great resource for finding instructional videos that cover specific soccer techniques.
Hairbows
For soccer-playing girls, hairbows can add a touch of cuteness to their appearance on the field. While the article doesn't provide specific recommendations, there are various soccer-themed hair bows available that can make your daughter look adorable during games and photo opportunities.
Soccer Mom Essentials: Game Day
Folding Chair
A folding chair is a must-have item for any sports mom. It's essential to bring enough chairs for all adults and children attending the game. Consider purchasing chairs designed specifically for kids, as they often come in fun patterns and sizes suitable for younger children. The Ozark Trail kids chairs from Walmart are mentioned in the article as a recommended option.
Sport-Brella
To provide shade and protection from the sun during games, a Sport-Brella is a fantastic investment. The Sport-Brella Extra Large Umbrella is highly recommended, as it offers ample coverage for the entire family and is easy to set up and pack away. It's a versatile option that can also be used at the beach or splashpad.
Cooler
For tournament weekends or long game days, having a cooler with snacks and drinks can be convenient. The article suggests using a 6-can cooler for road trips, as it provides the right size and weight for carrying essential items without being overly burdensome. Larger coolers with thicker sides are recommended for larger quantities of food and beverages.
Camera
Capturing special moments during your child's soccer games is important. While smartphones can take decent pictures, using a DSLR camera can significantly enhance the quality of your photos. The article suggests owning an entry-level Nikon DSLR camera, but any DSLR camera with a high transfer speed memory card will suffice. DSLR cameras offer faster shutter speeds and better zoom capabilities, allowing you to capture action shots with precision.
Wagon
Carrying all the necessary items for game days can be challenging, which is why a wagon is a valuable addition to your soccer mom essentials. The Mac Sports collapsible folding utility wagon is highly recommended for its convenience and ability to transport various items to and from your car. While it's not intended for hauling children due to the lack of brakes and seatbelts, it can carry a significant amount of gear.
Conclusion
As an experienced soccer mom, I have provided information related to all the concepts mentioned in the article. From choosing the right soccer ball size to essential items for practice and game days, these soccer mom essentials can enhance your experience and make your new life as a soccer mom more enjoyable. Whether you're a soccer mom or a parent supporting your child in any sport, these items can be useful for any sporting event.
