My son is 7, and he loves soccer. Since he was 3, he's played on local rec teams that have weekly practice and Saturday games at a nearby park. These are not really competitive leagues, more for kids to have fun. This league is really good about not pushing the kids too hard. Last year, three different coaches approached us after games to encourage us to have our son try out for a travel soccer team.
I promise, nobody's going to ask you to create a whole new house or completely babyproof every square inch of your home before your kids and grandkids come visit. However, there are a few things you can do that would ease the stress and worries of traveling for the holidays. Maybe you can't be on the plane to help your toddler grandson from crying, but you could meet them at the airport