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He shoots, he scores! Many basketball legends were built in driveways and backyards around the country. But even if your young hooper isn't looking to be the next LeBron James or Breanna Stewart, there are plenty of benefits to installing a basketball hoop.
While you're looking, make sure you choose a Lifetime basketball hoop to ensure a long-lasting gift that your family will enjoy for years to come. Here are a few reasons you should consider purchasing a hoop for your kids or teens this Christmas.
1. Encourages being outside
The last thing any child needs is more exposure to screens. Between schoolwork, social media, and video games, teenagers today are the least active they've ever been. According to the World Health Organization, more than 80% of school-going adolescents globally do not meet the current recommendation of at least one hour of physical activity per day.
Having easy access to a basketball hoop in the yard or driveway will encourage your kids to get outside and play them for a game of HORSE.
2. Make your house the fun house
While it's true you can always shoot hoops by yourself, basketball is an innately social sport. Your house can become the fun spot for teenagers to gather and play games of pickup basketball. The shouts and sounds of a rowdy game of 3 on 3 are a good sign that your child and their friends feel welcome and safe having fun at your home.
As a plus, you'll have fewer worries about where your teen is spending time, and you'll get to know their friends and social life. If your teen isn't the backyard hoop-playing type, check out Lifetime's arcade basketball games which are perfect for those basement hangouts.
3. Improve hand-eye coordination
Basketball is a sport that requires a lot of concentration and precision. As your child practices and learns to dribble and shoot correctly, their ability to track moving objects and move accordingly improves. They don't need to be destined for the NBA to enjoy these benefits — this is a skill that's important for everyone to develop.
One study from the Journal of Sport Health Science even concluded that basketball players exhibit better visual skills due to their hand-eye coordination from playing the sport.
Even if your child isn't a teen yet, starting them out young on the driveway basketball court can only help develop those skills.
4. Longevity
Forget the passing fads. Parents make the mistake year after year of buying their kids the latest trendy toy, only for it to be forgotten mere months later (if the toy doesn't break before then). A basketball hoop is an investment that will last for years.
Plus, there's no age limit. Everyone from toddler-age children to adults can enjoy shooting hoops and practicing free throws in the driveway!
Create memories with Lifetime Products
Whatever your kids' ages and interests may be, you can bet that Lifetime will have something they'll love for years to come. To shop the whole selection of basketball hoops and other play equipment, visit lifetime.com or any of our eight Lifetime Store locations in Utah and Idaho.
