10 Unique Extra-Curricular Activities For Children

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Encouraging your child to step out of their comfort zone and try something new and unique will give them the opportunity to learn useful skills while enriching their lives in numerous other ways. It can be a challenge though to find something your child might be interested in away from the obvious choices. With a little research though you should be able to find something they haven’t considered before which aligns with their interests and skills. Here are 10 ideas to get your started from a prep school in the UK. 

Debating

Attending a debate club will boost your child’s confidence as they learn to speak up and express their opinion, while also listening to and respecting the opinions of others. They’ll learn to form a solid argument, and think quickly when their ideas are challenged by others. If your child finds it hard to raise their hand in class or engage in group discussion, the confidence they’ll get from debate club could have a knock-on effect on their classroom participation. 

Coding

Although you might want to find something that doesn’t involve a computer, gaining coding skills could benefit your child later in life in an increasingly technological world. It will also enhance various cognitive skills, such as the ability to use logic to solve problems and find creative and innovative solutions. It could also lead to a thriving career in computing. 

Chess

Chess is a great activity for teaching children how to think critically and use logic to outmaneuver an opponent. It also enhances their memory skills and hand-eye coordination. If you’re looking for an activity your child can get totally engrossed in, chess could be just the thing. 

Sculpting

While it’s common for children to take painting lessons, sculpting is a less obvious choice of extra-curricular activity. Your child might love creating a sculpture out of soft clay or stone, depending on their age, and using it as a way to express themselves. They’ll also enhance their dexterity and fine motor skills through delicate sculpting movements.

Studying a language

Studying a foreign language can benefit children in many different ways, from improving certain cognitive functions to enabling them to immerse themselves in other cultures. Studying a second language also helps with children’s language skills in general, including their understanding of their own language. 

Rock climbing

Not only will this activity enhance your child’s physical fitness, it will also help develop their problem solving skills as they work out how to get to a hard-to-reach place without falling. They’ll learn about safety, planning ahead and devising a strategy to reach a goal. 

Circus classes

Children usually love the circus, and your child will probably be thrilled about the prospect of learning all the tricks. This will also challenge their strength and flexibility, and they’ll learn how to coordinate their movements with a good awareness of their surroundings. 

STEM club

If your child has shown an interest in science, technology, engineering or maths, they might enjoy getting to explore their interest outside of the confines of the school curriculum. They’ll get hands-on experience of applying what they’ve learnt at school while working as part of a team to solve a problem or design something from scratch. 

Sewing classes

Aside from being an important life skill, learning how to sew and design garments will improve your child’s dexterity and fine motor skills, while also boosting their self-esteem as they feel proud of themselves for making something. 

Eco club

With today’s children being more environmentally conscious than past generations, your child may develop a deep interest in preserving the natural world. They can nurture this through an environment-focused club where they’ll learn more about the impact human activity has on wildlife and habitats and how they can make a difference to the future of the planet.