Should we treat gaming like we treat other traditional team sports?
Let’s say this straight away. All hobbies for children, to a certain extent, are good hobbies. Fortnite, ice hockey, canoeing, drawing, basketball, football, birdwatching, knitting, clown diving, role-playing games. All of them.
Yet, we adults have a tendency to ruin even the best things for kids. Too often, the boundary between fun and engaging activities is crossed, and suddenly, we find ourselves deep in the world of competitive sports.
And why do some parents see only certain activities as valuable while dismissing others as a waste of time?
Or maybe adults just believe they always know better than children what they actually want? Who knows. But the fact remains: a massive number of kids drop out of youth sports around the age of twelve.
"Studies show that over 70% of children quit organized sports by the age of 13, often due to excessive training demands and increasing competition." (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)
Hmm! So what if we did NOT treat gaming like football, ice hockey, or other traditional team sports? What if, instead, we created a gaming culture that is genuinely beneficial, without sacrificing fun and enjoyment? What if we made it an even better hobby experience?
A Change in Attitude Is Needed
In the minds of many parents, gaming does not receive the same level of respect as other hobbies. Anyone who loves playing games—whether young or old—has likely heard dismissive comments about their hobby:
🔴 "Gaming is not a real hobby."
🔴 "It’s just a waste of time."
🔴 "Why don’t you go outside and do something useful?"
For many parents, games like Fortnite seem far from what they consider a “good” hobby. They see it as nothing more than sitting in front of a screen, with no real benefit.
How can we help these parents understand that gaming can be structured, educational, and skill-developing when guided by knowledgeable adults?
This blog post is the first step toward breaking down the misconceptions that have taken root in the minds of parents. Using Fortnite as an example, we will show how gaming can be at least as beneficial as traditional sports and how structured gaming can turn a child’s screen time into a rewarding, educational, and fun hobby.
Fortnite as a Team Sport: Strategy and Cooperation
Team sports emphasize teamwork, strategic planning, and prioritizing the group’s success over individual performance. Fortnite is no exception. A skilled Fortnite player is not just quick to react but also knows how to communicate effectively, make split-second decisions, and play for their team.
Just as a hockey coach teaches players to understand game strategies and tactical moves, a good gaming coach helps players develop situational awareness, teamwork skills, and resilience under pressure. Without coaching, gaming can become passive reactionary play, but in a structured environment, players learn to develop strategies and tactics together, forcing their opponents to react.
They learn to take control, make calculated risks, communicate clearly, and demonstrate leadership. Growing up in this kind of hobby environment allows them to apply these same skills beyond gaming.
A Hobby That Doesn’t Burden Parents the Way Traditional Sports Do
Many parents spend 5–10 hours per week driving their children to practices and waiting on the sidelines for training to end. Not to mention that children also spend just as much time sitting in the back seat!
And the actual training itself? It’s not always that productive either. Studies show that in youth sports, only one-third of practice time is spent in active physical movement, while the rest is spent waiting and listening to instructions. (Source: BMC Public Health)
When viewed from the outside, all this driving, waiting, and standing around starts to look like a complete waste of time.
Structured gaming offers an alternative. It allows children to participate in a meaningful hobby without disrupting the family's daily routine. Parents can still be involved in supporting and encouraging their kids, but there is no need for constant transportation, waiting around, or time wasted on logistics.
Gaming Does Not Exclude Physical Activity
While playing video games is not inherently physical, it can inspire children to be active on their own terms. Many Fortnite players train their reaction speed and coordination, and the game itself includes features like parkour courses and events that require physical activity, which can motivate kids to move outside of gaming.
A well-trained gaming coach also knows how to gamify physical exercise, making it a motivating and engaging part of the experience.
Unlike many traditional team sports, where competition intensifies with age and many kids quit due to increasing demands, organizations like School of Gaming provide a stress-free environment where children can develop at their own pace without pressure to quit too soon.
How Does This Work in Practice?
If you're wondering how this works in real life, here’s an example of a family whose child found a meaningful and skill-building hobby through gaming.
A young player joined School of Gaming’s Fortnite group last fall without high expectations. Before joining, the parents felt their child spent too much time gaming without any real benefits.
Once they joined the structured gaming group, their playing became more purposeful. They learned strategic thinking, planning, analyzing their own performance, and developing teamwork skills.
The parents noticed the change immediately:
"This gaming group was a real find! Our child’s casual gaming turned into a real hobby, bringing structure and a sense of purpose. They also feel that we, as parents, support their gaming. Fortnite is no longer seen as ‘a waste of time.’ They now have permission to play in a safe group. Our coach explains things clearly, taking all skill levels and ages into account. Our child’s skills have improved tremendously!"
This is just one of many stories where gaming has become a constructive and developmental hobby. And when children feel that their parents support their passion, they gain confidence and learn to take responsibility for their own development.
What If Fortnite Is Actually a BETTER Hobby Than Traditional Team Sports?
If you made it this far, maybe your thoughts about gaming and its benefits have already shifted in a more positive direction.
Maybe you’re starting to see that Fortnite, and many other games, can provide children with a safe environment to develop skills and grow as individuals. For gaming to have the best impact, parents need to understand its potential and support their child's passion.
And if a child gets a strong foundation in gaming early on, it becomes easy for them to create self-directed teams, leagues, and even their own training programs later—without outside interference.
Gaming Can Be What You Make of It
When a child receives a solid foundation in structured gaming, they can later independently or with friends create their own teams, training routines, and tournaments without adults constantly interfering.
Unlike traditional sports, where clubs and coaches set the pace, gaming allows children to continue independently without external pressure or the risk of dropping out.
Why Not Try It Together?
Give your child the opportunity to see how Fortnite can be more than just a game.
Join School of Gaming’s next Fortnite trial session and see for yourself how structured coaching transforms gaming into something far more valuable than just screen time.
Spots are limited! Sign up now and experience the difference firsthand!