As summer winds down, it’s time to start thinking about all things school related, and that includes afterschool activities. Some children may find themselves committed to sports or school clubs, but that’s not all that is available. There are many fun and creative ways your child can keep learning outside of school after the final bell of the day rings.
From music and theatre to creative writing, art, dance and nature exploration, here are some afterschool activities that will spark your child’s creativity and curiosity.
Art
Does your child love creating works of art? If so, a local art class may be the perfect fit. Some art classes are very specific and tailored to one medium like pencil drawings, watercolor, oil paintings, and even comic creation or graphic design. Other classes will include an introduction to multiple mediums. Talk with your child and see what it is they love about art and see if you can find a class that aligns with their interests.
Music
From piano to vocals to guitar — the opportunities to explore music are vast. One of the great things about music classes is that they often can be taken with a group, like Kindermusik, or one-on-one. Some music instructors are even willing to come to the home, which can be very accommodating for families. And, if your child wants to learn how to play an instrument, they may eventually decide to join a band, which can form strong friendships as well as an opportunity to learn how to work with others in a collaborative and creative setting.
Theatre
Some children love the idea of performing; for others, the thought alone makes them a bit squeamish. The great thing about theatre is that it encompasses so many different skill sets that go beyond just performing on stage. There is set design, costume creation, lighting, makeup, technical theatre and more. In addition, theatre can be straight acting or musical theatre, which incorporates song and dance in addition to the memorization of lines. Whether you are cast as an ensemble or the lead, every person who participates in a production is a vital part of the show, which is a great thing for children to learn at a young age.
Nature Exploration
In today’s age of devices and all things electronic, it can be hard to get our kids to go outside. If this has been the case with your little one, you may want to consider an after school program that focuses on nature exploration. There is something magical that happens when we connect with the outdoors. And the great thing about a class that explores nature is that it is bound to be interesting and fun, and will hopefully elicit fewer grumbles and more cheers the next time you say, “Go outside and play!”
Creative Writing
Does your child love books? How cool would it be for them to learn that they can enjoy not only reading books, but also writing them? Creative writing may include poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction and so much more. If your child also enjoys art, they can illustrate their book, too. Another great thing about a creative writing class is that this may help them with school for years to come, as well.
Dance
Children need at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, and a great way to encourage movement is through a dance class. If you think your child would enjoy dancing, but you aren’t sure which direction to go, show them some videos of different types of dance and see what they are naturally drawn to: hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, maybe even ballroom? If they like it all, see if you can find an introduction to dance class that includes a variety of types and see what they enjoy best once they give it a try.
There are so many different after school activities to choose from, and the great thing about them is that they all will benefit your child in a number of ways. Hopefully, they will create both a passion and a development of skills that will last a lifetime, not to mention the great social connections that take place when they take a class with peers who are interested in the same things.
