Skateboarding is gaining popularity in many places around the world. Children, teens, and young adults alike are all becoming fascinated with the sport. Skateboarding parks are being built in many cities and towns around the world and kids are trading traditional sports like baseball or soccer for time spent enjoying the extreme activit of skateboarding.

Most people have a picture in their minds of the kinds of people that enjoy skateboarding, and their pictures are not always pleasant. Skateboarding is usually reserved for teens and young adults that haven't quite connected with other people or activities and who are looking for a place of identity. And while in some ways this is true for people who love skateboarding, isn't this what we love about so many of the sports and activities we choose to participate in? We love to try new and sometimes extreme things and we love to be identified with a group of people who all enjoy similiar things.

Skateboarding, like many other sports and activities, has its benefits. For starters, skateboarding gets people off the couch and outside being active. We all know that inactivity is one of the most dangerous lifestyles to adopt. I'd suggest that a teen or young adult who spends hour after hour doing hobbies that are inactive is actually in more danger than a teen or young adult doing an extreme activity like skateboarding. Children who begin skateboarding at an early age learn to love physical activity and will often enjoy the health benefits of that activity for years to come.

Skateboarding is also a great way for kids and teens to make friends and connect with people with similar interests. Everyone knows that a good friend isn't easy to come by, and that is why it is great for kids to enjoy a safe and healthy activity like skateboarding because it helps them improve social and relational skills greatly. Not every kid is cut out to play the sports that our mainstream culture glorifies, and choosing skateboarding instead can be a great alternative for many kids.

For the most part, skateboarding is an inexpensive hobby to enjoy. Beginners usually can start with an inexpensive and simple board to learn skateboarding. Grabbing a skateboard and a few pads is really all a kid needs to begin learning skateboarding. Parents will love that their children can get involved in something fun and active that doesn't cost tons of money.

So forget the picture of skateboarding you've always had and allow your children to get involved in an activity that will promote health, friendships, and identity. And plus, the more time your children are outside practicing skateboarding the more quiet time you can enjoy without them!