In December '96, SI for Kids completed its eighth year sponsoring an omnibus survey among children. Research is conducted four times a year on a quarterly basis and reports are issued two times a year. Over the next month THE DAILY will feature information taken from the August/December '96 study. The total combined sample consists of 615 children, including 313 boys and 302 girls. The sample of 9-11 year olds consists of 308 children, including 154 boys and 154 girls. The sample of 12-13 year olds consists of 307 children, including 159 boys and 148 girls. Interviews were conducted in Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Levittown, NY; L.A.; Memphis; Miami; Minneapolis; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; San Francisco; and Tulsa. Today: "Sports Played in the Past Year" (THE DAILY):
| BOYS | GIRLS | TOTAL |
| ANY SPORT | 99% | 96% | 97% |
| BASKETBALL | 72% | 59% | 66% |
| BASEBALL | 67% | 29% | 49% |
| FOOTBALL | 68% | 22% | 46% |
| SOCCER | 48% | 40% | 44% |
| SOFTBALL | 16% | 36% | 26% |
| VOLLEYBALL | 16% | 33% | 25% |
| TRACK/FIELD | 20% | 17% | 19% |
| TENNIS | 18% | 19% | 18% |
| GYMNASTICS | 4% | 28% | 16% |
| GOLF | 15% | 8% | 11% |
| ICE HOCKEY | 14% | 4% | 9% |
| WRESTLING | 14% | 3% | 9% |
| LACROSSE | 3% | 1% | 2% |
