The average age a child stops playing sports. According to the Aspen Institute’s 2025 youth survey, the average child walks away from organized sports just before their 13th birthday. Boys quit sports earlier (average age 12.4) than girls (average age 13.3).

The percentage of children who regularly play their primary sport in community-based settings. According to the Aspen Institute’s 2024 survey of youth sports parents, more children still play sports locally than those who participate on travel, elite or club league teams (17%). Interscholastic sports teams (40%) are the second-most popular organized team setting.