4 Wonderful After-School Activities for Kids
Kids and activities go together perfectly. They always have. That's why providing your child with opportunities to engage in them is so important. One of the most common times to do this is after school.
However, you might be questioning which types of activities would be best for your child(ren). There are always outside factors that come into play such as scheduling, logistics, and finances; all of which typically need to be taken into consideration before choosing which ones are the best fit for your family. Here are four wonderful after-school activities to consider for your child.
- A Team Sport
If your child enjoys being part of a group or if you think they could benefit from the teamwork atmosphere, exploring your options for sports could be the perfect solution.
While a lot will depend on what's available through your school district or recreation department, there are typically plenty of choices for seasonal sports. Take the time to discuss different ones with your child to determine which one sounds best.
If you're intimidated about the potential cost of outfitting your child, take a deep breath. There are many ways to make team sports more manageable financially. Purchasing second hand equipment, locating equipment swaps near you, or checking out the best prices for items such as softball gloves will help make this a more affordable endeavor.
- Simple, Unstructured Play
How often does your child have free time to just play? No schedule, no parameters, no structure — just play. Children of all ages will benefit from this. If your situation allows for it, try leaving those hours between the end of school and the start of your family's evening routine as open as possible. Your child is bound to love the freedom of it, even if it's for just a couple of afternoons each week.
While the type of play will depend on your child's age and interests, the common denominator here is the simplicity of play. Think biking, rollerblading, kicking goals in the backyard, a game of tag, or even building a treehouse.
It would also be great to have plenty of art supplies on hand especially for those bad-weather afternoons when playing outdoors isn't an option.
If you're able to be home during after-school hours, consider inviting some of your child's friends to join in as well. This could offer peace of mind to parents, as well as give the children the opportunity to play together.
- Music
Does your child have an interest in singing or learning to play an instrument? Any time is a good time for kids to tap into their creative abilities and after school could be the perfect time to get involved.
Whether you and your child decide on 1-1 instrumental or singing lessons, joining a choir or the school band, or even giving it a go independently at home, there's so much value to music. It can boost creativity, coordination, and mood. Music is also a great way to learn about history and of different cultures.
- Martial Arts or Dance
Another fantastic way to enrich your child's after-school time is to check out your options for martial arts or dance classes in your area. Both are excellent for learning about discipline, respect, and independence, while also being wonderful confidence boosters as well.
What's great about both is that there's bound to be an outlet within each that suits your child. Try checking out classes and speaking with instructors or current students to determine which one might be the best fit.
In addition to the incredible mental benefits of martial arts and dance, your child will benefit physically as well. Both are superb for muscle development and memory, as well as giving a healthy dose of movement that is necessary to your child's well-being.
Finding after-school activities for your child shouldn't be difficult, but it will take time to decide what works best for your child and your family's situation. Involve your child as much as you can with the decision-making process, as you want them to be fully on board. This will ideally ensure a smooth transition an
