Now that Mr Z is 5, I have started to think about enrolling him in some kids after school activities. I was never really in favour of starting him too early, as I believe children do need time for relaxation and free play after school so I did not want to schedule all of his time. I don’t think one or two activities would hurt though!
I’m definitely thinking of swimming lessons, as this is such an important life skill. Mr Z and his brothers really enjoy swimming and water play when we take them just for fun, so I’m sure having some structured lessons would be something they would really enjoy, as well as being important for safety. I bet some new fun swimming accessories from Zoggs would definitely help him to get excited for his lessons, especially the colourful range of kids swimming goggles, which would allow him to see underwater
Martial Arts is another after school activity that I think Mr Z might really enjoy. Karate seems to be the most popular one, although Mr Z’s dad used to do Wing Chun Kunfu when he was younger. As for me, I was more interested in gymnastics and dancing so I spent hours doing those activities. I also did figure skating classes, speech and drama, and piano lessons.
With so much choice around, I decided to ask some of my blogging friends what their children do for after school activities to get some new ideas and input. Here’s what they had to say:
My son does karate. It’s fab for teaching kids discipline and keeping fit. – Laura from Yummy Mummy Flabby Tummy
We’ve started swimming again, great for getting kids to take instructions, build confidence and keep fit. We’ll start Karate too as soon as Monkey is old enough to help with discipline too – Mary from Over40andamumtoone
I like fencing because it warms up all of your body, and keeps me active. I like lunging which makes my arms strong. Doing Onguard makes my legs strong. I like being competitive, I like to win! I have some new friends who also like fencing – The boy (age 8) from The Soup Dragon Says
The boy also does Karate, and is learning that what he does in class has an effect on other children as he is one of the older and higher belts. Also respect is key same in fencing. Listening skills are needed. We also do Bowls at school he likes that because he can socialise with other children from his school and they enjoy the competitive and team element. Then there is Cubs which I think is good for community spirit, mixed ages, helping others, respect. Plus they gain independence doing things for themselves and when he goes on camp next month I am having a night out! whoop! – Tina from The Soup Dragon Says
Miss M goes to swimming and trampolining lessons each week because it’s something she has asked to do, thoroughly enjoys them and keeps her fit. I’m more than happy for her to do them for life skills, to experience different things and it’s something to occupy her a few nights of the week. She also attends school clubs two nights a week, art and IT which I think are both great to build up her skills and mix with other children where they are still learning but it feels more like fun. – Fiona from Mummys Little Stars
Monkey does two after school club, one is multi-skills and one is football. I love how they are more about teaching them life skills (discipline, turn taking etc) and that it builds his social group! – Kelly from Writings Ramblings and Reviews
We do ballet once a week but day to day at home is usually crafts etc or she’s at after school club – Angela from The Life of Spicers
What kids after school activities do your children do and enjoy? I would love to hear your suggestions, so please let me know in the comments
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Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Some great ideas for after school activities. It can be hard keeping them amused at home 7 days a week so at least having an after school or weekend activity breaks it up for them.
Great ideas, I think martial arts groups are fab for discipline and concentration x
You just reminded me I need to register my 3yo for gymnastic lessons! Thanks for the reminder =)
Swimming is a good life skill, confidence can be gained at an early age :- Given practice and adult supervision. I believe it is good to allow children opportunities. If many of these clubs were held within the school building :- It could make life easier for child and parent. As could reduce commuting etc.
I would really like to get Little Mr A into some after school clubs but there isn’t much going on around us. once we move I definitely want to start him with something!
Mine used to do swimming and stopped once they could both do over 100 meters. Now they do Beavers and Cubs and also Maxi goes to Junior football.
My daughter does ballet, and has done since she was 3. She is about to go into grade 1.
It’s taught her grace, poise, balance and discipline and she absolutely loves it.
Great ideas! We already swim every Sunday morning, but anything that wears them out is a winner with me. I’m off to look up karate lessons in my area… 😉
Mine is at preschool not big school but she has swum since 3 months and still loves it, so she does swimming and ballet. I like the more active activities to wear her out!
great ideas here, marital arts are a great activity for learning discipline and rules.
Some great ideas! My daughter does ballet once a week but mostly we come back for reading and crafts at home. I think it will be easier to be more out and about in the summer!
A great list of ideas here. Personally, I would love to see J take up swimming and music, but it will be his choice at the end of the day.
Great round up. At the moment Baby just pretty much likes bouncing! I have all this to come 🙂 xx
Kitty and Ozzy do swimming club once a week after school. Ozzy struggles sometimes as he’s already tired from school (the joys of being 4) but when he’s older I’d love to introduce another club – and this a great list to get me thinking!
Swimming is a great idea. My two always went to swimming lessons when younger. I think anything that your child enjoys and is passionate about is a winner for me – some great suggestions here 🙂
My son is too young for this at the moment, but his dad has big plans to take him to Judo lessons as soon as he’s old enough!
I’m in the process of seeking out some kind of club for Bud at the moment, so there are some really great suggestions here.
My little boy has autism and we are going to home educate him so no after school activities as such – perhaps when he is older he will join a few clubs. I’d love for him to do art or music.
Great post with some great ideas! My Monkey wants to do more clubs but I think two a week is enough at 5!
I know he will want to do basketball when he is a bit bigger!
sometimes i feel like we don’t stop – we have swimming (x4), football, beavers and ballet!!
Good luck finding something your boys love, its really nice to see them making new friends and enjoying themselves.
Some interesting suggestion here! I would like Peakles to take up a sport, a musical instrument and to join the beavers – scouts. Peakles would ike to climb and bounce and sing – sort of the same thing really!!
Some great ideas and thanks for including me. It’s good to see what activities other children are doing for future ideas.
Some brilliant ideas – my two have tried all sorts 😉
We’re loving trampolining at the moment!
Thanks for linking up with the Parenting Pin It Party this week.
Visiting from the pin it party 🙂
All my boys have (had oldest is now a lifeguard) swimming lessons.
10 year old also goes to Cubs.
6 year old has football and beavers.
4 year old has special needs and is lucky that the swimming pool were really accommodating to help him settle in and meet his needs, he had 1:1 but is now back in a group.
Anna,
Great post, (I enjoyed your last one too, “boys LEGO creations”). But my youngest daughter joined the track team and does that after school and really enjoys it too. We also have a local karate school right down the street and many of my neighbors have signed up their children for this class as well. This seems to be the most popular for kids that don’t have any after school activities. But anyway, another enjoyable post! I look forward to your next one.
For us girls football is a main choice + we do a kids K9 training in a local dog training school…