Give him playing armour – for less pain and less scars

It was a warm, sunny day-perfect for the outdoors. Pete went out to play soccer with his friends. In Pete’s neighbourhood, it was common to see young boys playing with no protective gear, and parents even thought that this would toughen them up. However, for Pete, that was no ordinary day and a few playful kicks and shoves earned him a fractured knee. The pain that followed was excruciating as he was quickly rushed to hospital. The doctor ordered Pete to stay off his favourite sport until he recovered completely.

Accidents are unavoidable, but you can minimize the risk of injury and ensure your children’s safety as much as possible. Here are some items to invest in:

Helmet
Sports such as skating are quickly gaining popularity. Children, even as young as four years old should use a helmet. It is extremely important to ensure you protect the child’s head against nasty falls. Buy long-lasting helmets that fit your child well.

Shoes
These are the most important in any sport. Ensure your children have proper footwear for sports. The youngest children require well fitting sneakers while the older ones who are becoming more experienced in games need specialized shoes depending on the type of sport. Sports such as skating require tougher shoes, with a thicker sole and a durable bottom, especially if your children are doing stunts in them.

T-shirts
These should be loose-fitting (but not oversized) to allow for easy movement. They should also be comfortable. The clothing should be made of an absorbent fabric that does not stick to the skin when one sweats. Long sleeved shirts can be worn in colder seasons.

Shorts and wrap skirts
Your children can wear shorts or wrap-skirts that fit accordingly, are comfortable and made of light material. You can choose dull colours like black or grey, because the children are likely to be messy. Ensure the shorts have an elastic waistband and are easy to wash.

Socks
Buy socks that are light weight, and vary them depending on the sport. For instance football socks may not be the same ones used to play lawn tennis.

Shin-guards
As children get older, they start kicking harder. That makes shin- guards an important part of sports wear, especially where the game involves kicking like soccer. Ensure you buy the right sized shin for you child and if unsure, ask the person selling it to you to advice you before you buy.

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