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The Last Game: When My 5-Year-Old Scored — And Broke His Trophy End of season youth soccer always surprises me — not just with the goals, but with the moments that turn into family stories. This weekend, my 5-year-old played his last game of the season, and what happened after is something I’ll remember far longer than the score. A Big Goal in End of Season Youth Soccer He had worked so hard all fall. Running with his tiny legs pumping. Chasing the ball with pure joy. Trying

If you’ve ever looked at your child’s schedule and thought, “8:30 PM? Really?” — you’re not alone. Yesterday, my 11-year-old had a late game that kicked off at 8:30 and ended close to 10. With a 20-minute drive home and school the next morning, it felt like a logistical puzzle. Late soccer games for kids are becoming more common — especially in club and select programs. But keeping their energy steady (and their morning moods manageable) takes a bit of prep and a lot of balan

If you’ve ever tried to get your kid out the door for soccer when it’s freezing, windy, or raining sideways — I get you. Growing up in Sweden, I learned one thing early: there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing. Now that I’m raising my little soccer players in Texas (where “cold” hits differently), I’ve mastered how to dress for cold soccer games using smart layering — keeping kids warm, dry, and focused on the game (not their freezing fingers). 1. Base Layer: The Foundation

If you’ve ever tried to pack for a soccer tournament weekend, you know it’s basically family camping with shin guards . Between hotel breakfasts, back-to-back games, and endless laundry, surviving tournament season takes planning, caffeine, and a good sense of humor. This guide breaks down the top 5 must-know soccer tournament tips for parents — whether it’s your first weekend or your fifth. Smart Packing for Tournament Weekends — Soccer Tournament Tips for Parents Forget “tr

Healthy Soccer Snacks for Kids — Homemade Seed Crispbread (Fröknäcke Recipe) Looking for healthy soccer snacks for kids that are easy to make, crunchy, and genuinely nutritious? This Swedish-style Fröknäcke seed crispbread has become a staple in our house. It’s loaded with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia, and flax — all packed with protein, fiber, and energy to keep little players going strong on game days. Ingredients (U.S. measurements) ½ cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup pump

If you’ve ever tried to get 5-year-olds to warm up before soccer practice, you know — it’s part strategy, part stand-up comedy. 😂 That’s why Coach Grandpa swears by Red Light, Green Light , one of the best soccer warm-up games for kids. It sneaks in soccer fundamentals while keeping it fun. Why Red Light, Green Light Is One of the Best Soccer Warm-Up Games for Kids This isn’t just a silly start to practice. It’s one of those timeless soccer warm-up games for kids that helps

Halfway through the season, I can’t help but notice the little things — the way he lines up faster, the way he claps his hands for teammates, and how excited he is every Thursday to put on his shin guards. These are the real signs of 5-year-old soccer progress , and they matter more than any scoreline. It’s wild how quickly the weeks go. A few games left, and suddenly he’s already asking, “Mom, where will I play when soccer ends?”  It’s both sweet and a little sad — that mome

Why Encouraging Teamwork in Young Soccer Players Matters Teamwork isn’t something that just happens  — it’s built one small play, one high-five, and one shared laugh at a time. As parents and coaches, encouraging teamwork in young soccer players starts with how we celebrate effort, communication, and kindness on the field — not just goals. When your 7-year-old learns to pass instead of dribble through everyone, that’s teamwork. When your 5-year-old cheers for a friend’s goal

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a toddler while cheering for a striker — welcome, you’re one of us. Having siblings on the soccer sidelines  is a whole sport in itself.  Between “I’m boooored,”   mud puddles,  and requests for snacks every 4.2 minutes… sometimes it feels like you need more stamina than the players on the field. But here’s the truth: It can  be fun. They can  learn something from being there. And sometimes, survival mode is okay. Let me give you a real example

If there’s one thing Coach Grandpa always says, it’s this: “You don’t need a fancy field to build great players. Just cones and a ball.” And after raising soccer-obsessed kids in our backyard, driveway, and living room (oops), I can confirm — cones and pop-up goals are the MVPs  of at-home training. Whether your player is 5, 7, 11 or 13 like mine, simple equipment makes soccer fun, fast, and frustration-free. So today I’m breaking down the best soccer cones for kids  — plus t

Youth soccer isn’t just about goals—it’s about handling frustration in youth soccer  and helping kids turn setbacks into strength. Every child experiences frustration differently: My 11-year-old  is a perfectionist. If one pass is off, he replays it in his mind. My 7-year-old   hates losing . He holds it in until we reach the car. My 5-year-old  is joyful—as long as he scores. If not? Instant “what if I don't score next game?” And me? I’m a quiet soccer mom . I don’t shout in

Snack Parent Etiquette: The Do’s & Don’ts of Being That  Soccer Parent You’ve been assigned Snack Parent  this weekend — congratulations...

Still confused by the soccer offside rule? Learn the offside rule for parents with this fun pizza analogy — finally, a soccer rule...

Rec soccer is often seen as the “starter league.”No uniforms with last names. No travel tournaments. No intense pressure. But here’s what...

Low-Glycemic · Whole Wheat · Kid-Approved · Weeknight & Game Day Friendly Between school pickups, homework, and soccer practices, dinner...

You know that moment when the ball rolls out and suddenly every kid freezes  — and all the parents start shouting, “Throw it in! No, the...

When practices get rained out or your kids just want “one more game before bed,” keeping soccer fun at home is the best way to build...

Busy soccer families know the drill — rushing from school to practice with barely enough time to grab a snack. But kids need the right...

When my kids first started soccer, Coach Grandpa gave me one piece of advice that stuck: “Parents should be the cheerleaders, not the...

For families starting their journey, rec vs club soccer  often comes up as the big question: which one is right for your child?...