5 Fun After-School Activity Ideas to Ease the Start of the School Year Blues

The start of a new school year can be both exciting and daunting no matter your child’s age and the grade they’re going into. As kids’ initial enthusiasm fades, it’s natural that they might experience some of the “back-to-school blues.” To help alleviate those feelings and brighten up your child’s mood during this transition, you could consider incorporating some fun after-school activities into your child’s routine. Doing this will give them something to look forward to other than the typical homework, dinner, and bedtime routine that many abide by day after day. 

1) Go Out and Get Active and Play

• Join a sports team: Encourage your child to participate in a local sports team or club. It’s a great way to make new friends, stay active, and learn important life skills.
• Take dance classes: No matter where you live, dance classes in most cities are widely available for kids and always accepting new students. If your child loves to dance, it’s a great way for them to express themselves, stay active, and boost confidence.
• Visit a trampoline park or bounce house: Jumping around on trampolines or bounce houses is a fantastic way to burn off energy and have a blast after school. If you’re looking for deals on things to do with kids like this, check out Groupon. 
• Explore local parks and playgrounds: When the weather is nice, get outdoors and spend quality time at the park, lake, pond, or trail to enjoy the fresh air and get your child active.

2) Start Nurturing Creative Interests

• Enroll in art classes: For kids with an ultra-creative side that need an outlet, take them to a painting, drawing, or other forms of art class to allow them to express their creativity. 
• Join a music or theater group: If they’re into different forms of the arts, explore musical talents or develop acting skills in a supportive environment with like-minded kids. 

3) They Could Learn Something New

• Take coding classes: For the science lover, introduce your child to the world of technology and programming. Coding classes have become widely available over the years as technology has advanced significantly in the past few decades. 
• Learn a new language: Expand their horizons by learning a foreign language either online or with a tutor of your choice. 
• Join a robotics club: Explore the fascinating world of robotics and engineering.

4) Consider Volunteering and Giving Back

• Volunteer at a local charity or animal shelter: Depending on your child’s age, you could teach them the importance of giving back to the community at a local charity or animal shelter.

5) Relaxing and Recharging is Important Too

• Join a book club at the local library: Encourage a love of reading and engage in meaningful discussions with peers, depending on your child’s age. Check out your local book club and see if they’re offering book clubs for different age groups. 
• Practice mindfulness or meditation: While this can be a bit harder depending on your child’s temperament and age, help your child develop stress-management skills and find inner peace with quiet time and simple meditations. 
• Spend quality time with family: Set aside a couple of hours a week to spend time with your immediate or extended family to create lasting memories and strengthen bonds with loved ones.

Incorporating these fun and engaging activities into your child’s after-school routine can be a game-changer as they transition back into the school year. Not only that, but it allows them to learn, gain new skills, and find new interests outside of the classroom that can give them the skillset and confidence they need to succeed in their education.