Are your kids sitting on the couch all afternoon? There are a lot of after-school fun activities that can help your children stay active.
Teens need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day to stay healthy. But many people believe that once the school bell rings, this happens on its own.
In the United States, there are almost 1 in 5 children have obesity. This has profound health implications in the long term.
But what can you do about it? Keep reading for a list of great after school activities for kids of all ages.
1. Sports
Playing team sports can teach children how to work together and how to respect their opponents and their teammates. Individual sports can help children to become independent and more confident.
It also helps them to develop physical strength, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It can also help children to maintain a healthy weight while boosting energy levels and self-esteem.
2. Performing Arts
Performing arts offer great ways to keep your children active. Activities such as theater, dance, and classical ballet classes can get your children off of the couch, away from their video games, and learn something new.
With theater, your children can be creative, practice their lines, and have fun. Dance classes can improve coordination and are a great aerobic exercise to help keep them fit.
Classical ballet classes for girls and boys are a great way to keep them active and engaged. It provides your children with the opportunity to learn grace, coordination, and strength while also developing skills in agility, flexibility, musicality, and creativity.
3. Martial Arts
Kids who participate in martial arts activities can stay active and physically fit. These types of activities include activities such as tae kwon do, kung fu, and aikido.
It can give kids a great workout, helping to build endurance and core strength while also promoting flexibility and agility. However, martial arts also require technique and focus.
It can help kids learn discipline, respect, and self-control. It can also teach kids to respect authority and the importance of setting goals and achieving them. They will be able to develop the skills needed to defend themselves in real-life encounters.
4. Coding and Robotics Classes
Coding and robotics classes provide kids with a variety of ways to stay active and engaged. Through these classes, children can:
- increase their problem-solving skills
- build skills around design and engineering
- develop an enthusiasm for learning
They can also use their coding skills to create animations and games and use robots to develop music and create stories. These activities challenge kids mentally while also giving them a creative outlet to express themselves.
5. Nature-Based Activities
Nature-based activities provide a plethora of opportunities for children to stay active and engaged. Outdoor activities can provide physical exercise as well as mental stimulation; this includes:
- nature walks
- birdwatching
- horticulture
- geocaching
Nature is also an ever-evolving environment with constantly changing stimuli so that children can engage in different activities during each visit. By participating in activities that take place in the natural world, children can learn to become healthier, more active, and more mindful of their surroundings.
Learn More About After School Activities Today
After school activities provide an exciting and different way for kids to get active and stay healthy. They build confidence and help build social skills. Try out new activities with your children and see what sticks!
Encourage them to give new activities a try and get involved in something that interests them.
Did you find this article helpful? Visit more of our blogs!
Rosette has a knack for anything DIY. She spent her younger years learning about the different hardware tools, lighting, and equipment in the hopes of establishing a hardware business in the future. Her career options may have changed, but today, she continues to write so passionately about her first love.
