Have you ever wondered what things to do with your child after school?
If you're like most parents, then the answer is probably yes. Engaging with your child and making them feel valued is a vital part of parenting.
With this list of top 10 things to do with your child after school, we've got something for everyone. Our list includes arts and crafts, sports, science experiments, reading activities, and more!
After school activities are important because they help you to bond with your child. They give your child the chance to make friends and have fun and teach your child useful life skills. Additionally, they help you to have a better understanding of what your child likes or dislikes.
Volunteering is a great way to help your child learn to be more responsible and active. A good parent-child activity is setting up a volunteering program at the local community center or working at a soup kitchen together. This will make them feel like they're making a difference in the world, and it will also give them a chance to practice leadership skills by helping others.
Cooking together is a fun activity that allows the two of you to bond over something you enjoy doing. Cooking can also be a great way to teach your child about healthy eating habits and it's a lot easier than you might think!
Painting together can be done in so many different ways. You could create murals on your walls or canvases with watercolor paints. You could even practice painting pictures of your favorite characters from movies or TV shows. Painting is good for both of you, even if you're not particularly talented artists!
Homework is always more fun when you do it together. I know it sounds a little boring, but showing your kids that you're here for them no matter the circumstance is highly beneficial.
It's easy to forget that exercise is good for the body and mind, and it's also a great way to spend time with your kid. Maybe your child has a favorite park or hiking trail near their house, use it as an excuse to spend some time together! You could even have an adventure by driving somewhere new!
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, both physically and mentally! Studies show that kids who exercise regularly are less likely to be overweight or obese, as well as have higher GPAs in school than their inactive friends. Find a batting cage near you using our explore page or even a parent and child sports league!
Reading stories together is one of the best things to do with your child after school! Reading books together with your child is a great way to bond with them and have some fun together while learning new things from the story being read aloud by both of you! It will also help improve their reading skills as well as their vocabulary in general since reading lots of stories together will help strengthen those skills over time!
After they've finished their homework, take your child to the nearest toy store and let them pick out a puzzle to solve. This will not only help them relax after school, but it will also enhance their problem solving skills (and yours!).
Learning a new language can be incredibly intriguing and fun. Find a language that you both are interested in (ASL, Spanish, French, etc.) and start by asking them questions about their day at school and then talking about what they learned during the day.
There are so many calming songs out there that could help your child relax after school! You could even download an app on your phone or tablet so that you can listen to it anytime no matter where you are or what you're doing. This is a great bonding experience as you both snuggle on the couch, listen to soothing sounds, and chat about your day.
After-school activities are a great way to keep your kids busy, but they can also be a great way to build your child's confidence and self-esteem. If you're looking for ways to help your child's after-school plans go well, here are some things you should consider:
Make sure the activity is age-appropriate. It's not always easy to know what types of activities will work best for your kid, and it can be tempting to try something new out on him or her that might seem exciting at first but end up being more trouble than it's worth.
Try to find an activity that you both would enjoy, not just something one of you would like. The goal is for this to be a bonding experience. Talk to your child about it. Have each of you make a list of things you both would enjoy doing and see what options you have in common!
We hope our list of things to do with your child after school will bring you and your kids closer! In case you're looking for more options, check out these resources!