Finding the right activities for your kids in Savannah can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded while someone shouts contradictory directions at you. Trust me, with over 200 youth programs scattered across 99 city parks, the options are both amazing and overwhelming.
The lay of the land: What Savannah offers young athletes and artists
Before diving into specifics, let's talk numbers that matter to your wallet and schedule. Programs range from completely free (yes, really) to about $175 per month for specialized instruction. The good news? Most activities fall somewhere in the middle, with county recreation programs costing around $33-38 per session.
Here's something interesting: only about 48.7% of Southern youth participate in organized activities, compared to 54.1% nationally. Savannah's working hard to close that gap with programs for literally everyone… from 6-month-old water babies to high school seniors perfecting their golf swing.
Quick tips before you start
Registration typically opens 2-3 months before each season, and popular programs fill faster than you can say "wait list." Mark your calendar:
• Basketball registration: November • Baseball and softball: February • Soccer: July-August • Swimming: Third Wednesday monthly at noon
Most Chatham County programs require county residency, so have that proof of address handy. And if money's tight, don't let that stop you… organizations like the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club offer financial assistance that can make programs affordable or even free.
Traditional team sports: Where most families start
Let's be honest, when most parents think "youth sports," they picture soccer practice and Little League games. Savannah delivers on these classics, starting with Chatham County Parks & Recreation as your most budget-friendly option.
The municipal advantage
County programs are the unsung heroes of youth sports. Basketball runs January through February for ages 5-14, baseball and softball take over in April and May for the 5-12 crowd, and football dominates fall weekends from September through November for kids as young as 4. At around thirty-five dollars per season, it's hard to beat the value.
The facilities aren't too shabby either. Jennifer Ross Sports Complex boasts 11 soccer fields (yes, eleven), while Memorial Stadium hosts football games that make kids feel like pros. Just remember to register early… these programs are popular for a reason.
Soccer: More options than you can shake a cleat at
If your child dreams of being the next Messi, you've got choices. Savannah United Soccer Club charges about $100 for their recreational program covering ages 6U through 15U. Kids practice once a week and play games on Saturdays, which is perfect if you're not ready to surrender every evening to sports.
For a more budget-conscious option, check out Coastal Georgia Soccer Association. Their programs run $70-85 plus a $50 uniform fee. Fair warning though… some parents have mentioned their website seems a bit outdated, so you might want to call to confirm current details.
The new kid on the block is Tormenta FC, offering recreation programs for ages 4-14 at multiple locations. They're trying to bring a bit of that professional soccer excitement to the youth level.
Basketball beyond the basics
Once your kid catches basketball fever, you'll discover a whole world beyond county leagues. The YMCA runs programs for ages 3-14 with a refreshing philosophy: everyone gets equal playing time. No more watching your kid warm the bench while the coach's son plays the entire game.
For those seeking the competitive track, AAU basketball opens doors to college exposure. Georgia AAU Basketball even awards $10,000 in scholarships annually. Just be prepared… AAU ball is a different beast, with travel, tournaments, and yes, significant costs.
The Jewish Educational Alliance offers another alternative for ages 3-12, emphasizing fun over competition. Sometimes that's exactly what kids need… a place to learn the game without the pressure.
Individual sports: Finding your child's passion
Not every kid thrives in team environments, and that's perfectly okay. Savannah's individual sports scene offers everything from swimming to martial arts, with plenty of quirky options in between.
Making a splash with swimming
The crown jewel of Savannah's aquatic scene is the Chatham County Aquatic Center on Sallie Mood Drive. With both a 50-meter lap pool and a 25-yard recreational pool (both heated year-round, thank goodness), it's swimming paradise. Group lessons cost $33-38 for four classes, starting with StarBabies for the 6-18 month crowd who basically just splash around adorably.
Here's the catch with registration: it opens the third Wednesday of each month at noon for the following month's classes. Set an alarm, seriously. Popular time slots vanish faster than ice cream on a Savannah summer day.
The YMCA supplements this with six locations featuring pools. Sessions typically run $50-70 for six lessons over two weeks. The Islands Family YMCA even has a year-round outdoor pool, because this is Savannah and we can do that.
Tennis anyone? Or martial arts? Or dance?
Bacon Park Tennis Complex dominates the tennis scene with 16 lighted hard courts. They're open until 9pm most weeknights, which is clutch for working parents. Two tennis pros offer lessons, and the Savannah Area Tennis Association coordinates youth programs and USTA leagues.
The martial arts scene is surprisingly diverse. The YMCA West Chatham offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a structured 32-lesson curriculum teaching 85+ techniques. Classes run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, but they cap it at 20 participants, so don't dawdle on registration.
For something different, check out Five Star BJJ & Grappling, which runs wrestling programs for grades K-8 starting each October. Or there's Pooler Karate, which wins hearts with their "Special Kicks" program designed for students with special needs.
Dance studios are experiencing a changing of the guard. The legendary Maxine Patterson School of Dance is retiring after 55 years (their 2025 season will be the last), leaving Kelly & Co. Studios near Sandfly, The Studio Savannah, and Gretchen Greene School of Dance to carry the torch. Kelly & Co. gets bonus points for offering aerial silks training… because regular dance isn't challenging enough, apparently.
The gymnastics and golf circuit
JAM Urban Athletic Club is killing it with their "Ninjastics" program… basically ninja training meets gymnastics for ages 5-9. They also run Park'Jam obstacle courses for the 10-17 crowd who think they're too cool for regular gymnastics but still want to flip around.
The YMCA Islands Branch fields competitive USAG teams, while Rise Gymnastics Academy lures new families with free trial classes. Smart marketing, if you ask me.
Golf instruction happens primarily at Bacon Park Golf Course, where after-school junior programs run $150-175 monthly. That includes unlimited access to the Legends course, which sounds fancy but basically means your kid can practice as much as they want. First Tee Savannah takes a different approach, using golf to teach life skills and character development. It's golf with a conscience.
Arts, STEM, and everything in between
Here's where Savannah really shines. The arts and STEM programs rival anything you'd find in much larger cities, and many are surprisingly affordable or even free.
Theater kids, rejoice
Savannah Children's Theatre serves 566 students annually through 32 different classes. They start with Creative Adventures for the 4-6 year old crowd (think lots of pretending to be animals) and go all the way up to SCT Encore, where teens tackle mature productions like Phantom of the Opera.
Their claim to fame? Aerial Arts for grades 5-12, where kids work 12 feet in the air on silks. Nothing says "my child is cooler than yours" quite like aerial acrobatics. Summer camps operate at both Savannah State University and Pooler locations.
Visual arts and music: Cultivating creativity
Telfair Museums runs youth programs out of the Jepson Center that make art accessible to everyone. Classes for ages 9-16 run in 5-session blocks on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. All materials are provided, which is code for "your child will still somehow come home covered in paint."
The music scene is equally robust. The Savannah Philharmonic operates the Ben Tucker Instrument Library with 135 instruments available for student use. They're literally loaning out violins and trumpets like a musical library. The Savannah Children's Choir has even toured internationally, hitting England, Ireland, and France. Not bad for a bunch of kids from coastal Georgia.
STEM programs that actually excite kids
Girls Code Savannah deserves a special shoutout. They run completely FREE coding camps for 5th-10th grade girls from Savannah-Chatham County schools. Week-long intensives teach HTML, CSS, and MIT Scratch, and they include lunch and field trips. Free. Did I mention it's free?
Georgia Tech Savannah offers week-long summer camps covering robotics, coding, VR, and logistics (because apparently that's a thing kids are into now). They provide tier-based scholarships offering 25-75% discounts based on need.
For the LEGO-obsessed, FIRST Lego League has three divisions: • Discover: ages 4-6 using DUPLO • Explore: ages 6-10 with SPIKE Essential • Challenge: ages 9-16 competitive programming
Savannah's secret weapons: Unique coastal programs
This is where living in Savannah really pays off. The Savannah Sailing Center at Lake Mayer runs programs you won't find in landlocked cities. Their "Guppy" camps introduce 5-7 year olds to water safety, while "Catch the Wind" teaches older kids to actually sail using Optimist, Sunfish, and 420 boats.
The Geechee Sailing Club creates a community for boat owners and water enthusiasts. It's like a country club, but with more sunscreen and fewer polo shirts.
SCAD's athletic program deserves mention too. They field 22 varsity sports including equestrian, which has won nine consecutive national championships. Where else can your kid pursue art and competitive horseback riding simultaneously?
Special needs and inclusive programs: No child left behind
Savannah takes inclusion seriously. Special Olympics Georgia Area 17 coordinates programs across multiple organizations. Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center in nearby Guyton offers PATH-accredited adaptive riding and even runs HorsePowered Reading literacy programs. Because apparently horses can help kids read better. Who knew?
The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism operates the only accredited year-round autism school in southeast Georgia, serving ages 5-22. Multiple ABA therapy providers accept insurance including Medicaid, making services accessible to more families.
For sensory-friendly fun, Chuck E. Cheese offers Sensory Sensitive Sundays the first Sunday of each month with reduced lighting and sound. Regal Cinemas runs My Way Matinee screenings on the 2nd and 4th Saturday at 10:30am with lights up and volume down. These small accommodations make a huge difference for families navigating sensory challenges.
Navigating costs and finding help
Let's talk money, because youth activities can drain a bank account faster than your kid can lose a water bottle. The median household income in Savannah is $56,782, with 19.5% of families below the poverty line. Recognizing this, many organizations offer sliding scale fees or outright free programs.
The YMCA's financial assistance program is particularly robust. Don't be embarrassed to apply… they want kids participating regardless of financial situation. Boys & Girls Clubs, Georgia Tech Savannah, and others offer similar programs. Even some private organizations will work with families on payment plans or scholarships.
Youth sports contribute significantly to Savannah's $4.7 billion tourism economy, so there's community investment in keeping programs accessible and thriving.
Making it all work: A parent's survival guide
After wading through all these options, you might feel more overwhelmed than when you started. Here's my advice: start small. Pick one activity that matches your child's interest and your family's schedule. You can always add more later (and trust me, you probably will).
Remember that Savannah's youth activity scene reflects the city itself… a unique blend of traditional Southern charm and surprising diversity. Whether your child wants to sail on Lake Mayer, perform aerial silks, code the next big app, or just play good old-fashioned baseball, Savannah's got them covered.
The key is finding the right fit. Some kids thrive in competitive environments, while others need the low-key approach. Some families can manage travel teams and multiple practices per week, while others need the one-and-done Saturday morning option. There's no wrong choice, just what works for your family.
So grab that calendar, set those registration reminders, and get ready to become a youth sports parent. Just remember to pack snacks, bring a folding chair, and prepare to make some surprisingly deep friendships with other parents who are also trying to figure this whole thing out. Welcome to the club… the snack schedule will be emailed shortly.
