How adults shape junior hockey environments for kids to learn, belong, and grow, and have some serious fun!

A Seriously Fun junior hockey environment is one where:

• Confidence grows because kids feel safe to try
• Friendships flourish because everyone feels they belong
• Learning thrives because effort matters more than outcomes

When hockey feels positive and engaging, kids are more open, more focused, and more willing to learn. Fun isn’t something we add at the end — it’s what unlocks everything else.

Practical Tips: How adults can support learning

1. Keep activities simple and clear

Children learn best when they know what they’re doing and why.

• Show, don’t tell, whenever possible.
• Share instructions as you need to, this can be one at a time, while an activity is going.
• Repeat activities from previous trainings, players will feel confident in knowing how they work and can focus on finding new solutions

2. Let kids explore and try things out

Learning happens when children experiment.

• Allow players to find their own solutions.
• Avoid stepping in too quickly — give them time to figure things out, it is suppose to look messy!
• Let kids play, there doesn't need to always be structure.

3. Celebrate small improvements

Progress builds motivation.

• Notice tiny steps forward: “Nice first touch,” “Great effort to stay involved.”
• Highlight what’s working before offering guidance.
• Help kids see their own growth.

4. Create activities where everyone can be involved

Kids learn more when they’re active, not waiting in line.

• Use small‑group games with lots of touches on the ball.
• Avoid elimination games — everyone should stay in.
• Make sure every child has a role in the activity.

5. Use mistakes as learning moments

Mistakes are part of the process — and kids need to know that.

• Keep your tone calm and positive when things go wrong.
• Say things like “let’s try that again” or “what could we try next time.”
• Show that mistakes are normal, expected, and helpful.
• Avoid any form of consequence for mistakes, instead reward it, maybe its a bonus point for trying a new skill.
  

Support for Coaches and Parents

Creating Seriously Fun junior hockey doesn’t rely on having all the answers.

CoachMate is a free phone and tablet app designed to help coaches and parents run engaging, inclusive sessions where kids move, learn, and work together. It includes training session plans for the season, activities built from best practice for foundation players, and simple tips to adjust each activity to suit your team and environment.

CoachMate helps adults create the kind of environment where learning thrives — and where kids feel excited to come back each week.

Friendships help kids feel they belong.

Belonging builds confidence.

Confidence opens the door to learning.

When adults create environments where children feel included, supported, and encouraged,

junior hockey becomes Seriously Fun.