This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Dick’s Sporting Goods. All opinions are my own.

Kids: they grow like weeds. I know it’s a cliche, but wow, I’m completely shocked at how my tween daughter has suddenly shot up a couple inches and grown out of all her clothes. She also looks older suddenly. To add to it, her tastes in clothing have changed – she likes a sportier style, and isn’t as into skirts, dresses, and other clothes that she once wore. She’s happiest in activewear – a t-shirt and leggings, or shorts and a tank top. It makes sense – she’s an active kid – and I fully support that!

We went through her drawers recently and purged before the start of school. We rearranged her room for “tweendom” and assessed what clothes still fit, what was too small (most everything!) and what she just would never, ever wear again because – ewww.

And what was left? It’s wasn’t much. So we headed out to do some back-to-school shopping! She’s an active, fun girl who loves to ride her scooter, run around the neighborhood, and generally just be outside with her friends. So Dick’s Sporting Goods was the natural place to go. She knows how much I love the store – we get so many essentials there.

I learned a lot this year as she came into her own with so many… preferences. Tweens know what they like and what they don’t like! I thought I’d share a few Back-to-School Shopping Tips For the Active Tween:

1. Listen. I used to pick our her clothes or think I had the right ideas for what she would look cute in. But the most important thing I learned is to listen to her.

2. Set them up for an active lifestyle. If you have an active kid, it’s so important to get them active clothes so they can be ready for anything. It’s frustrating to want to go outside and run around, and not have comfortable clothes that they can move in. Set them up for success – whether that success is for soccer, youth running, tennis, or just general playtime – take away a barrier to being active by stocking them up with active clothes.

3. Make it fun. If you approach the back-to-school shopping like a chore, the kid might go in with a bad attitude. We decide it’s going to be a fun outing – and it is!

4. Get Inspired. Walking through Dick’s Sporting Goods we were talking about all the fun activities we could do this year. The store inspired us to talk about camping, swimming, running, yoga, soccer, and lots of other active things she could do this year. Instead of a chore, the shopping trip was a fun brainstorming session!

I was thrilled to get her things that she loved, felt comfortable in, and would suit her active, sporty style. But more importantly, I was glad to spend a little time with her getting to know her. What she likes, wants to explore and try, and what matters to her. It’s these moments one-on-one that make a huge difference.

What’s your fall must-have item?

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