Young Athletes

Special Olympics Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Young Athletes offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.

Quick Links:

Contact us to find a program near you
Activity Guide
Resources
At the Training for Life Campus
Family flash cards
At-home guide for families
Video activities
Poster to track activities
Young Athletes registration form

Young Athletes provides children of all abilities the same opportunities to advance in core developmental milestones. Children learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. Children also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills help children in family, community and school activities.

Young Athletes is a fun way for children to stay active and establish healthy habits for the future. It is important to teach children healthy habits while they are young. This can set the stage for a life of physical activity, friendships and learning. Young Athletes is easy to do and fun for all. It can be done at home, in schools or in the community using the Young Athletes Activity Guide and basic equipment. Through Young Athletes, all children, their families and people in the community can be a part of an inclusive team.
Young Athletes welcomes children and their families into the world of Special Olympics.

In addition to offering Young Athletes at the area level, we have a program at the Training for Life Campus as well.

To learn more about the Young Athletes in your area please contact program staff in your area.

A Young Athlete smiles at the camera and holds a graduation certificate
A group of Young Athletes jump for joy underneath a rainbow parachute
A Young Athlete sits in a wheelchair and receives a dental screening while two adults look on
A group of Young Athletes run down the track with smiles on their faces
Two volunteers hold the hands of a Young Athlete and help them jump over an obstacle
A Young Athlete lies on their back with their feet in the air while smiling at the camera
A group of athletes run toward the camera on the track at the Training for Life Campsu
A Young Athlete using a wheelchair throws a bean bag through a hula hoop as a volunteer looks on
A Young Athlete strikes a ball with a hockey stick
A Young Athlete uses a walker and the help of two volunteers to walk across a stage
A Young Athlete sits on the ground and draws on a piece of paper with a marker
A Young Athlete sits on a scooter board and smiles at the camera
A Young Athlete wearing a paper graduation cap smiles as a police officer prepares to put a medal around their neck
A Young Athlete rides a tricycle and smiles at the camera
A Young Athlete sits in a dental chair and receive a dental screening
A group of Young Athletes and volunteers use a rainbow parachute to throw balls into the air
A Young Athlete wearing a helmet holds two tennis balls in their hand and prepares to throw them at the camera
A Young Athletes receives instruction from a volunteer on how to ride a Strider bicycle
An aerial photo shows a group of Young Athletes and volunteers playing on the turf field at the Training for Life Campus
A Young Athlete swings a bat and hits a ball of the tee
A group of athletes and volunteers play on the turf field at the Training for Life Campus
An aerial photo shows a group of Young Athletes and volunteers playing on the turf field at the Training for Life Campus
A group of five Young Athletes sit on the ground and wait their turn
A Young Athlete rides a Strider bicycle on the track at the Training for Life Campus
An athlete runs on the track at the Training for Life Campus
Two Young Athletes wear paper graduation caps
An Young Athlete, while holding an oversized toothbrush, uses a stuffed animal to show how to brush their teeth
A Young Athlete using a wheelchair streaks down the track at the Training for Life Campus
An athlete rides a Strider bicycle and smiles at the camera
A volunteer helps a Young Athlete using a wheelchair to hit a ball off a tee
A Young Athlete smiles at the camera as they move through a play tunnel
An aerial photo shows a group of Young Athletes riding Strider bicycles down the track
A Young Athlete jumps in the air and high-fives a volunteer
Two Young Athletes hold graduation certificates