35 fun and educational after school activities for kids - June Learning (2023)

Extracurricular activities combine education, skill development and fun into one event, but are you running out of water when it comes to ideas for extracurricular activities? Read on for inspiration, and feel free to borrow generously from our list of extracurricular activities for kids.

Why are after school activities important?

Children may spend most of their day in the classroom, but they don't stop receiving information when the last bell rings. Children are always learning, and extracurricular activities give them a chance to engage with ideas they might not encounter during a normal school day. Furthermore, activities can be presented and experienced in ways not found in school; this can help teach children of all ages new ways to learn outside of school.

School activities, such as the various clubs available on campus, as well as school programs such as bands, can help impart some of these lessons and experiences to elementary and high school students.

However, younger children in elementary and preschool may not have access to these programs. In this case, parents/guardians who provide childcare for the remainder of the business day after school can choose caregivers who prioritize activities for the children or leave activities to the chosen caregiver.

Of course, parents or guardians can also participate in these classes at home. They can be a great bonding time for you and your family!

Coding activities and games

If you're planning activities for a tech-obsessed kid, there are fun ways to get their interests off the screen and into the real world. You can even launch them on the go to create your own apps and games! Check out some ideas below, and for more,visit Juni Learning's list of coding activities.

board game night

Whether with family, friends, or both, board game night can disguise many different lessons as game rules and systems.

Start a fun coding project

Get your child excited about coding with thesefun coding projects. Designed for all ages and experience levels, these coding projects are a hands-on way for your child to learn what they can do with coding.

Online tech camps for all ages

Several sites, including Juni Learning, hostvirtual coding bootcampsfor young people of all ages. Not only are coding bootcamps a great way to inspire a passion for coding, they also teach kids valuable lessons about collaboration and teamwork.

Minecraft

It's available on nearly every platform, is a mainstay for YouTubers, and has remained popular for over a decade.MinecraftIt tackles everything from counting to creativity, and its enemy-free creator mode gives kids free rein to explore their ideas.

collective sports

Whether it's the backyard, the park, or school, kids who participate in team sports learn social skills and critical thinking, all while getting exercise. The world of team sports is vast and can provide safe and enriching experiences, regardless of the type of sport a child is comfortable with.

If your child loves team sports, spark his interest by teaching him to usesports analysisto make smart moves.

ladder ball

With shots of tricks trending across social media, the ladder ball could be the perfect way to introduce your Youtube-obsessed child to the joys of backyard games.

augmented reality games

Augmented reality gaming has taken off, with games like Pokemon GO encouraging people to take their hobby outdoors. Playing augmented reality games with groups is a safe and fun way to take advantage of this new and ever-expanding technology.

scientific activities

The science classroom is a great place to discuss theory, but unless a child has dedicated lab time scheduled during the school day, he or she may not see or participate in the practical applications of these theories. There are a number of science-related activities that can be done with common items in a typical household. You'll find some quick tips below, butcheck out Juni Learningfor more!

Create an obstacle course

Building an obstacle course involves measuring distance and considering applicable scientific laws, such as gravity. It provides a focus on biology and anatomy by looking at the parts of the body challenged by each obstacle.

The Volcano Experiment

Nothing beats a classic. Just get some vinegar and baking soda, pour them into your substitute volcano or volcano, then it's showtime.

ice cream in a bag

You probably have most of the items needed for this activity in your kitchen, but the rest are readily available at any grocery store. After gathering your materials and spending 10-20 minutes on this exercise, your ice cream in a bag is complete.

Crayon Fusion

Explore wax's melting point and color properties by melting old crayons to create something new.

elephant toothpaste

Using a bottle, some washing up liquid, and food coloring, create a large, colorful, slow-moving foam that resembles tube toothpaste, but this toothpaste is big, so it needs to be for elephants.

invisible ink messages

A child can feel like a secret agent and learn about chemical reactions thanks to common household substances that create and reveal secret messages on paper.

Which paper plane is the best?

Build paper planes with different sizes, shapes and upgrades. Then test them to see what works, what doesn't, and why.

Math and numbers activities

Whether they think in numbers or refuse to touch their math homework, kids will grow to interact with numbers more times than they can count.Juni Learning has several math coursesthat help familiarize children with the practical applications of mathematics, and some other examples can be found below.

taking inventory

Ask a young person to help you take an inventory of the food in the house. Have recipes handy so they can compare what's there with what's needed. List some recipes by item weight and encourage conversion.

Playing cards

A standard 52-card deck can be used to play a variety of games with rules that rely on addition and subtraction, especially when it comes time to count scores. Card games also teach critical thinking through strategy, as well as good sportsmanship.

Bottle Draw

Measure the odds as you participate in the ever-popular pastime of flipping water bottles.

do sudoku

Sudoku is a magic square puzzle that requires players to keep track of the sums of numbers. These popular puzzles are widely available in books and online.

Play math-focused board games

Games like Monopoly require the use of math and number comparison in almost every playthrough. Children will learn as they try to win.

calculate distance

Ask the children to calculate the distance from the front door to their favorite restaurant, or from home to school. Then use a search engine to compare that distance to the distance to other interesting places like local landmarks, popular cities or foreign destinations.

Play math-focused board games

Games like Monopoly require the use of math and number comparison in almost every playthrough. Children will learn as they try to win.

Cornhole

Cornhole, also known as the bean bag toss, is a great way to encourage physical activity, while the game's scoring system encourages basic math skills. Smaller versions of the game boards are available for purchase at most sporting goods retailers.

life skills activities

Learning to take care of yourself and manage money are important life skills that will help your child make smart decisions.

Developing healthy money habits starts at a young age. Jun Learning has a wide range of online courses that help kids learn about the stock market, economic laws like supply and demand, and even cryptocurrencies.View the full list of Juni Learning courses here.

game store clerk

Take turns being a shopper and a clerk to teach your child the value of money and shopping. Children will learn to count money and how to prioritize purchases based on needs and means.

Create a mock stock portfolio

Introduce your kids to the stock market and invest with a simulated stock market. Available for free and influenced by real market trends, a stock market simulator lets your child experience trading virtual money.

start a piggy bank

Teach your children the importance of saving money by buying them their own piggy bank. For bonus points, use a clear container like a pitcher so your child can watch the money grow.

grow plants

Use a garden bed, planter or community garden to grow flowers, vegetables or herbs. If the kids grow one of the last two plants, encourage them to make a meal out of their crops!

cook together

Cooking teaches kids to follow directions and be comfortable in the kitchen, an invaluable life skill that will save you money later on.

countdown calendar

Create a cool calendar that counts down to holidays, events, holidays or important dates in the child's life.

take care of a pet

Classroom pets, daycare pets, and house pets convey consideration and responsibility. It is important to know that a child is ready before allowing access to a pet.

Arts and writing activities

Learning to create projects, stories, or poems not only helps students explore their own ideas, but also helps them learn to communicate in a healthy way.. Juni Learning offers options for you and your budding artist, and more can be found below.

Enroll your child in private music lessons

Learning an instrument or perfecting your voice can teach discipline and have a long-term impact on a young person's quality of life. Musical skills can turn free time into productive practice, lead to promising careers, and help children bond as young adults.

have a dance party

If a kid is crazy about the latest viral dance move, turn your community space into a kids' club and hit the floor! Children love to share their interests, and this can be a fun way to introduce an adult to your taste in music.

Do a puppet show

Buy puppets or make your own, then plan a puppet show for your friends, family, a toy audience or yourself! Children can learn to think by improvising, get creative by adapting a familiar story, or practice acting by reciting an existing script.

practice origami

This Japanese paper-folding art requires following step-by-step instructions and precise folding. It's a great way to develop patience, critical thinking skills, and fine motor skills. Children can hang their artwork in their living space.

Play with the Rainbow Soap Foam

If you have detergent and food coloring, you canselect this color activityin just 10 minutes. Be careful with young children as the soap can still sting and should not be swallowed. Also remember to wear old clothes and be aware of where you do this activity, as food coloring can stain. Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, it's time to get chromatic!

play dress up

The possibilities here are endless. From kids dressing up and imitating older family members to dressing up as their favorite heroes, a quick wardrobe change can transport a child to a different world.

read a short story

It's a classic, but reading together can spark curiosity, imagination, and creativity. It also helps to establish routines and increase attention span.

Explore extracurricular activities online

Whether you're playing with a child's interests or trying to introduce them to new concepts, fun after school activities can enrich a young girl's life. Juni Learning is full of great resources that can guide kids after school activities towards educational, artistic or practical learning.Browse your course catalogTo begin!