Home » Programs Overview » Sports & Rec Overview

Sports & Rec at the Y

The YMCA offers tons of ways to stay active beyond typical workout routines.

Here, sports and recreational activities are something special. With friendly competition, lots of variety and a supportive environment, you’ll have fun while improving your health.

When kids play Y-Sports, they develop more than just skills—they develop character. Instructors and coaches model fairness and hard work while emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, and developing good values in this non-competitive program. Our volunteer coaches recognize achievements large and small and understand that winning is not just about the score. By playing sports, kids and their families feel a sense of belonging that comes from a community gathering together to cheer on their team. Everyone plays, and everyone wins!

REGISTRATION DATES

 

SEASON MEMBERS: Non-Members
SPRING January 5, 2026 January 8, 2026
SUMMER April 6, 2026 April 9, 2026
FALL June 1, 2026 June 4, 2026
WINTER 2026 October 5, 2026 October 8, 2026

Preschool Sports

Parent & Child Sports (2-3 years old)

Accompanied by a parent, each participant will be introduced to the basics involved in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, t-ball, flag football, and floor hockey.  Emphasis will be placed on hand-eye coordination, balance, listening skills, and friendship.

Classes are held Mondays from 5:00 – 5:45pm

Spring Season: April 6 – May 4
Summer I Season: June 1 – June 29
Summer II Season: August 3 – August 31
Fall Season: November 2 – December 7

Preschool Sports Sampler (4-5 years old)

Each participant will learn the basic fundamental skills involved in a variety of sports, including Football, T-Ball, Basketball, Soccer, and Floor Hockey. Emphasis will be placed on hand-eye coordination, balance, listening skills, and friendship. Each session lasts 5 weeks and each class lasts 45 minutes.

Classes are held Tuesdays from 5:00 – 5:45pm

Spring Season: April 7 – May 5
Summer I Season: June 2 – June 30
Summer II Season: August 4 – September 1
Fall Season: November 3 – December 8

Preschool Mini Sports (4-5 years old)

Participants will develop an appreciation for sports and physical activity along with practicing skills and being a team player. Each session focuses on one singular sport and follows the same sport calendar as our Youth Sport League. Please note Preschool Mini Sports does not include any games outside of class dates and times.

Classes are held Thursdays from 5:00 – 5:45pm

Spring Season: April 9 – May 7
Summer I Season: June 4 – July 2
Summer II Season: August 6 – September 3
Fall Season: November 5 – December 10

Youth Sports

Youth Sports at the Mankato Family YMCA are designed to help kids build confidence, develop skills, and stay active in a fun and supportive environment. Our programs emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth while fostering a love for physical activity. Whether your child is new to sports or looking to enhance their abilities, our experienced coaches and volunteers create a positive atmosphere where everyone can learn and improve. With a variety of sports available throughout the year, there’s something for every young athlete to enjoy at the Y!

Youth Winter Basketball

Youth Basketball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-4 Grade and 5-6 Grade) YMCA Youth Basketball is a fun and supportive program that helps kids of all skill levels build confidence on the court. Through practices and games, players develop essential basketball skills like dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. With a focus on sportsmanship and personal growth, this league provides a positive, active environment where kids can learn, compete, and make new friends. Each league has both boys and girls teams.

Winter Season: Feb. 2 – April 12, 2026

T-Ball/Coach Pitch

T-Ball (K, 1-2 Grade) & Coach Pitch (3-5 Grade) T-Ball and Coach Pitch are designed to introduce young players to the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive, fun environment. In T-Ball, beginners learn the basics of hitting, fielding, and running the bases. As players progress, they practice hitting a pitched ball while continuing to build skills like throwing and catching. Both programs emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence-building.

Summer Season: June 22 – August 26, 2026

NFL Flag Football

Flag Football (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) YMCA’s NFL Youth Flag Football league offers kids an exciting way to experience football in a non-contact format. Players learn the fundamentals of the game—passing, catching, and teamwork—while building agility and strategy skills. With team-based drills and games, participants gain confidence and sportsmanship, all while wearing official NFL-licensed jerseys.

Summer/Fall Season: August 24 – October 17, 2026

Youth Volleyball

Volleyball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) The YMCA Youth Volleyball program is a great way for kids to learn the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun and encouraging environment. With a focus on serving, passing, and teamwork, players of all skill levels can build confidence and improve their game. Coaches guide players through drills and games, promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie on and off the court.

Fall Season: October 17 – November 14, 2026

STRIDE

The STRIDE program provides lessons on leadership, character development, healthy choices, goal-setting, and cooperation, all within the framework of a fitness and running plan for boys grades 3rd-6th. STRIDE boys will participate in an end-of-season 5k run, check-marking a goal they trained to achieve all season!

Winter/Spring Season: February 23 – April 25, 2026
Fall Season: September 21 – November 21

3×3 Basketball

3×3 Basketball (Split according to grades & participants) This summer – join a basketball league focused on fun, competition, and improvement. Perfect for players of all levels looking to stay active, sharpen their skills and connect with others who love the game. No coaches. No pressure. Just basketball.

Summer Season: June 20 – July 25, 2026

Youth Fall Basketball

Youth Fall Basketball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-4 Grade and 5-6 Grade) YMCA Youth Basketball is a fun and supportive program that helps kids of all skill levels build confidence on the court. Through practices and games, players develop essential basketball skills like dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. With a focus on sportsmanship and personal growth, this league provides a positive, active environment where kids can learn, compete, and make new friends.

Fall Season: September 7 – October 17, 2026

Youth Pickleball

Youth Pickleball (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) YMCA Youth Pickleball introduces kids to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country! This program teaches players the basics of pickleball, including paddle skills, court positioning, and game strategy, in a friendly and supportive setting.

Fall/Winter Season: November 7 – December 12, 2026

Youth Basketball Clinic

Basketball Clinic (K, 1-2 Grade, 3-5 Grade) Basketball Clinic at the Y provides young athletes with an exciting way to kick off the season and sharpen their basketball skills. With practices and games tailored to different age groups, players work on fundamentals like shooting, dribbling, and teamwork. Kids develop both their skills and confidence on the court, while enjoying friendly competition and building lifelong friendships.

Winter Season: December 12, 2026 – January 16, 2027

Adult Recreation

Whether you miss “suiting up” or are new to team activities, our adult recreation programs provide a perfect opportunity to be active, social, reconnect or start fresh with an activity you enjoy.

Men’s & Co-Ed Basketball

The Mankato Family YMCA has an Adult Men’s and Adult Co-Ed’s Basketball League each winter. Teams must have at least 6 players minimum and 12 players maximum. Full payment with a completed roster is required to be registered. Games will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6-7pm or 7:30-8:30pm. The season will end with a Playoff Tournament.

Racquetball / Handball

Whether you are a beginner or a power player, there is a place for you to have fun on the racquetball courts at the Y. We have 3 racquetball courts located on the main level of our facility. Racquetball is a fantastic way to sharpen your agility, hand-eye coordination, speed, and strength.

Indoor Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport played with a whiffle ball on a badminton-sized court and a tennis-style net. A non-volley zone (or kitchen) prevents volleys close to the net, and the serving team cannot volley the return of serve. These unique rules favor players with less mobility and allow senior players to compete successfully with younger competitors. Pickleball is enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities thanks to its ease of play and straightforward rules. Pickleball is played indoors at the Y during the fall, winter and spring seasons. 

Volunteer Coaching

Serving as a youth coach is one of the greatest investments of time and energy anyone can make. Coaches become some of the most influential voices in a child’s life, and you can help us fill each season with lessons that last a lifetime. Must be able to: Commit to an 8-week session, One 45 minute practice per week (M, T or TH), 6 regular season games on Saturday mornings, 1 tournament day, create practice plans (resources & handbooks will be provided), maintain required communication with program staff, and follow all procedures and policies of the Youth Department Program and the Mankato Family YMCA, including Child Abuse Prevention Policies.

Program Directory

0 programs meet your criteria

XClose

Register

Do you want to register for this session only, or for multiple sessions of this program at this location?