There are so many after school activities out there for young kids. We could honestly write a whole book about it, but that would be excessive. So instead, we put together a list of 26 simple and fun after school activities for your little ones!
9 Simple and Fun After School Activities for Kids in Preschool
- Playdough
Kids love playdough! They can make it into different shapes and animals, and really engage their imagination.
- Build a fort
This is a fun way for kids to spend time together and get creative. You can make forts that look like castles or houses with windows and doors!
- Treasure box
This is a great activity for kids who love playing pretend games with their toys! They can pretend to be treasure hunters or dig deep into the earth looking for gold nuggets under the ground!
- Make a rainbow in their bedroom
This is a great way to help kids learn about colors while they're having fun making some colorful art in their bedroom! Have them use tissue paper of various colors and make a rainbow on a piece of cardstock that they can hang in their room!
- Block tower
Building towers with blocks is another great way to keep kids busy! This encourages fine motor development and problem solving skills for kids in preschool.
- Dress up
Give your kiddo a favorite costume of theirs and make it extra special by adding some accessories. For example, if they’re obsessed with a firefighter costume, consider adding a hat or carrying a fake fire extinguisher.
- Tape city on the floor
Have fun with tape, glue, and scissors! You can make an entire city out of paper and tape it to the floor. You could also help them create a roadways on the floor with tape and then drive cars all around the house!
- Rice sensory bin
Put some rice in a sensory bin that's made specifically for this activity. You can also fill it with other fun objects like beans, sand, or small toys that make noise when you shake them inside!
- Book Nook
Encourage some quiet time during some simple and fun after school activities for kids in preschool. Having a designated reading area that your little one helped create makes it their own. When they get home, they can sit in their book nook with their favorite pillows or stuffed animals and enjoy some interactive reading books or even read with you!
9 Simple and Fun After School Activities for Kids in Kindergarten
- Explore Nature
Throughout the year, kids can explore the world around them. They will learn about animals and plants, as well as their habitats.
- Paint with Cars and Watercolors
Add a unique twist to painting and give your child some paint, a brush, some toy cars, and paper. Have them paint the bottom of the wheels and drive the car around on the paper for a fun pattern!
- Create Art from Recyclable Materials
Kids will be able to create art from various materials found around their homes or at schools, such as cardboard boxes, wooden blocks, Styrofoam cups, plastic milk jugs, and more! It’s a fun way to distract kids and it requires no extra materials!
- Balloon Rockets
Balloon rockets are fun for kids of all ages! They can create these rockets using items found around their homes or at school (such as paper plates), then launch them into the sky using helium balloons or air pressure from an air compressor pump!
- Make Creative Bins, Tiny Toys, and Accessories
Kids will learn how to make creative bins for toys as well as tiny accessories such as lipstick tubes or toothbrush holders out of recycled materials like paper plates, plastic grocery bags, and more!
- Soap Clouds
This activity is simple but fun! Kids can make soap bubbles with a little bit of water and some dishwashing liquid. It’s a fun way for your kindergartener to engage in some sensory play.
- Build a Recycled Bottle Aquarium
Kids can use recycled bottles to build an imitation aquarium. They can paint colorful pictures on the inside and decorate them with rocks and toy fish.
- Make a Family Photo Board
Family photo boards are fun for kids because they can take pictures of themselves with their family members at different locations around the house or even outside in nature!
- Teach Them to Meditate
Kids learn how to meditate by sitting quietly and focusing on their breathing patterns or thoughts. It’s a great quiet time activity after school for young ones!
8 Simple and Fun After School Activities for Kids in Elementary School
- Music Lessons
Music lessons encourage kids to learn about music in a fun and relaxing way while practicing their musical instruments. They can also learn how to play an instrument and sing with a group of friends.
- Craft Classes
These classes teach kids about the process of creating something, as well as provide them with the opportunity to share their work with others through presentations or demonstrations.
- Sports Teams
These games help teach teamwork skills like listening carefully during conversations and taking turns with other teammates during games. Sports teams also provide an opportunity for kids to make new friends who share their interests!
- STEM Activities
These activities focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These subjects are often taught at schools but can be practiced at home as well if parents are interested in learning more about them too!
- Dance Class
Dancing is a great way to burn off energy and have fun at the same time! Dance classes are offered after school, and they're open to students of all ages.
- Choir
Choirs are a great way to make friends and learn new skills. They take place after school, too if you can find a center that hosts it! Check out our explore page to search for kids choirs near you!
- Cooking Classes
Cooking classes are a fun way to spend time with your child after school, and they're also a great opportunity to get them engaged in something they love!
- Coding
Coding programs are becoming more popular among elementary school kids because they allow them to use new technology while improving their math skills at the same time! It may seem a little early, but basic coding methods are something elementary school kiddos are capable of.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of great simple and fun after school activities out there that teachers and parents can get their kids involved in to help diversify their extracurricular activities and by doing that, it is easier to keep kids engaged and motivated outside of school. Variety is key!
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