Picture your child participating in an extracurricular activity: What do you see? If you are like many parents, when you think of extracurricular activities, you may imagine your child doing something like engaging in a sport or physical activity, or maybe playing a musical instrument. However, the world of extracurricular activities is so much larger than just sports or the arts.
An extracurricular activity is any activity your child engages in that falls outside the scope of their traditional schooling. While some activities are more well-known than others, there are endless options to choose from. What if your child doesn鈥檛 enjoy playing sports or hasn鈥檛 quite found the arts to be their calling? Do the lesser-known extracurriculars, such as clubs and hobbies, have the same benefits? They sure do!
Defining extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities allow kids to explore the world outside of school and build their individual set of skills and interests, aiding in their holistic development. The world of extracurricular activities is huge, encompassing traditional groups with long histories, like and , and up-to-the-minute activities, like and .
Whatever your child鈥檚 area of interest, that participation in extracurricular activities is associated with higher self-esteem. What鈥檚 more, participating in extracurriculars is often associated with academic success as kids pursue new knowledge, improve their time management skills, and develop the ability to balance multiple areas of focus.
Are clubs extracurricular activities?
Of course! Clubs undeniably qualify as extracurricular activities and can play a vital role in enhancing and enriching your child鈥檚 life.
These groups can be organized by parents, teachers, or students and may be on-campus or off. Typically, they provide a platform for students to delve into areas not covered by standard coursework — but sometimes they鈥檙e a way to go deeper, such as math clubs or academic decathlon clubs. Whether it’s a science club, debate team, technology hub, or a cultural organization, clubs give kids of all ages the chance to work cooperatively, forge lasting connections, and develop a sense of community. Moreover, participation in clubs cultivates teamwork, leadership, and time management skills, fostering personal growth and contributing to a well-rounded education.
Often, the club a student chooses may impact both their current skills and future career choices: research has shown that , and that .
Having a diverse array of clubs to choose from allows students to tailor their extracurricular involvement to their passions and ambitions, ultimately enriching their academic journey and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Are hobbies extracurricular activities?
When casting about for areas that your child might want to explore, don鈥檛 overlook hobbies, which can be just as valuable as other extracurricular activities. Does your child like to collect rocks, play with clay, or listen to music? All of these are avenues for learning, skill development, relaxation, and fun.
A hobby typically refers to an activity that your child enjoys and engages in during their individual leisure time. Unlike other extracurricular activities, hobbies tend to be less structured. That said, there can be crossover between hobbies and school or community-based extracurriculars. And whether you think of a chosen activity as more of a hobby or an extracurricular, it offers your child opportunities for learning and growth — you just may need to find ways to nurture your child鈥檚 pursuit of their hobby.
Hobbies are typically pursued independently and are not necessarily tied to educational or developmental objectives. Think about things like gardening, playing cards or board games, playing kickball, collecting rocks or coins, gaming, skateboarding, sewing, knitting, reading, or card trading that are not pursued as a part of a course or team. Hobbies serve as a constructive outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing kids to develop unique skills and talents outside the academic realm.
Like many other types of extracurricular activities, hobbies contribute to holistic personal development by spurring curiosity, boosting motivation, and teaching time management. Participating in hobbies also offers a respite from the pressures of academic life, promoting mental well-being and stress relief that most kids need. In essence, hobbies as extracurricular activities enrich one’s overall experience, promoting a balanced and well-rounded approach to personal growth.
You may be asking, 鈥淲hat boundaries should I set for my child with their hobbies?鈥� Many hobbies, especially digital ones, can end up taking up large chunks of your child鈥檚 time. This can be a difficult issue to manage when parents and kids don鈥檛 agree on how much time should be spent on an activity — especially if that activity is interfering with other areas of their life. The key here is letting your child have a say in what they participate in, but working to agree on what must get done each day and what takes priority (e.g. getting homework and chores done). Your goal is for your child to choose activities they love while still having time to learn and grow in other capacities.
The benefits of clubs and hobbies
By exposing kids to interests and experiences outside of school, clubs and hobbies help develop the whole child, says therapist and educator Lee Wells, Clinical Director of . Wells describes these benefits as 鈥渋nterest capital,鈥� or 鈥渢he accumulation of curious, challenging, and fun experiences that shape our identity and self-confidence.鈥�
In her experience providing direct services to children, teens, families, and local school districts, Wells has seen how engaging clubs and hobbies brings a host of advantages and positive outcomes such as:
1. Sense of community
Club and hobbies can provide a supportive environment where children and teens can share common interests and passions. This social aspect not only enhances interpersonal skills but also contributes to a student’s overall well-being.
鈥淣on-school-sponsored activities let young folks flex their social skills and develop more robust friendship networks,鈥� Wells says. 鈥淎ffinity-focused clubs and hobbies can help young people develop a stronger sense of self while connecting to others with similar life experiences.鈥�
2. Skill development
Clubs and hobbies allow students to explore and refine talents outside the confines of the traditional curriculum. This includes broadening or honing abilities that started in school. For example, a child who enjoys art might benefit from in-person or online painting instruction or merely having the time, tools, and exposure to new techniques to experiment.
Science and engineering clubs give children and teens the chance to tackle more advanced, intricate, or long-term projects than those possible in the classroom. Hobbies and clubs can also teach skills far outside the academic sphere, such as woodworking, creating collections, crafting, hiking, baking, or photography.
3. Leadership opportunities
Clubs cultivate leadership, organization, and teamwork skills, preparing students for future challenges. These experiences will also prove useful when students want to showcase their leadership skills on college applications and resumes.
4. Diversified interests
By trying out a variety of clubs and hobbies, children and teens are able to test out various interests and enthusiasms.
鈥淔or kids and teens, having a diverse hobby and/or club portfolio can be just as valuable as picking and sticking with one activity,” says Wells. 鈥淲e expand our flavor palette when we are open and willing to try various foods. Similarly, kids who try different hobbies and clubs are building their flexibility and willingness to take healthy risks and try new things.鈥�
5. Stress relief
With all of the emphasis, especially for high school students, on college applications and resumes, it can be easy to forget that kids need outlets just for fun. Fulfilling hobbies and clubs can help children manage stress and anxiety. Clubs and hobbies give kids a break from their studies, responsibilities, and worries and let them just enjoy doing something new or different.
What are extracurricular activities in school?
School-based extracurricular activities are easily accessible to students, typically taking place within the school’s premises or nearby, reducing transportation barriers. These activities often align with academic schedules, allowing students to balance their extracurricular involvement with their schoolwork more effectively. Additionally, school-based extracurriculars often offer a wide range of options, catering to diverse interests and allowing students to explore various passions within a familiar setting.
School extracurricular activities vs. clubs and hobbies
School-sponsored extracurricular activities share the same goals as outside clubs and hobbies, but they differ in structure, purpose, and degree of formality.
鈥淪chool-sponsored extracurricular activities are usually more structured, with set schedules, aims, and expectations,鈥� comments Eric Eng, private college admissions consultant and founder of . They typically adhere to a more formal structure, with designated leaders, set schedules, and specific goals tied to the school’s mission.
鈥淐lubs and hobbies, on the other hand, often offer more flexibility and personalization. They allow students to delve into their pursuits at their own pace and in their own way. Based on my experience, this distinction gives students room to explore their passions deeply, fostering intrinsic motivation and genuine growth,鈥� Eng says.
While both offer opportunities for skill development and social interaction, clubs and hobbies provide a more individualized and self-driven approach to extracurricular engagement. Students may join a school-sponsored activity for the sake of competition or institutional recognition, whereas clubs and hobbies often emphasize personal fulfillment, creativity, and a sense of community among those with a shared interest.
Some clubs span both, such as those involving lesser-known sports, like badminton and archery. And some, such as service associations, cross over into volunteer work and help kids obtain community service experience. The combination of both types of extracurricular involvement can contribute to a well-rounded educational experience, catering to the diverse interests of students.
Helping your child choose the right clubs and hobbies
While your child has the final say when it comes to choosing which clubs and hobbies appeal to them, experts agree that parents play a pivotal role in finding these opportunities and steering kids toward those that are best for them. You may feel overwhelmed with the wide variety of choices, but thoughtful consideration of your child鈥檚 interests, developmental stage, and values will help guide you.
To make informed choices, follow these steps:
1. Identify your child鈥檚 interests and talents.
Avoid enrolling your child in an online extracurricular activity just because you feel like you 鈥渟hould.鈥�
鈥淧arents should consider the child’s interests and strengths in guiding their child toward the right clubs and hobbies,鈥� urges Eng. 鈥淐onsider your child’s existing hobbies, passions, and talents. Choose activities that align with their interests to keep them motivated and engaged. Encourage exploration and let them try diverse activities. Watch for their natural inclination toward certain activities and help them pursue them.鈥�
2. Balance educational and fun activities.
Seek a balance between educational and recreational clubs and hobbies. Look for options that provide learning opportunities while still being enjoyable for your child. You may even want to quantify this, having your child ask themself: Is this hobby or club more 鈥渆ducational鈥� or 鈥渇un鈥�? Right now, am I engaging in enough of both types?
3. Prioritize quality over quantity.
For those students and parents focused on college admission, clubs and hobbies can make a big difference.
鈥淭his is a highly subjective criteria,鈥� says Rachel Coleman, an independent education consultant and college essay editor, 鈥渂ut essentially colleges are looking for students who a) express a passion for a particular cause or subject and b) actively pursue activities to further their interest.鈥�
High schoolers should think about what passions they want to stand out on their application, and choose clubs or hobbies that match.
鈥淚t’s not about the quantity of clubs or hobbies, but the quality of engagement and enjoyment the child derives from them,” Eng says. “Getting involved in something meaningful to them will enhance their personal and academic growth.鈥�
Coleman offers these words of caution to parents: 鈥淯ltimately, parents should help kids choose activities that support their passions. Importantly, this needs to be the student’s passion, not the parent’s!鈥� While your role as a parent is to support and guide, make sure you allow the final decision to be your child鈥檚.
Maximizing the benefits of clubs and hobbies
Encourage exploration
Support your child’s exploration of different clubs and hobbies by helping them identify their interests and passions. If you鈥檙e not sure where to find a club dedicated to a particular subject or activity, ask teachers, librarians, counselors, and other parents. You can also check the schedules of community centers and after-school recreation programs. If your child begins to develop a hobby in an area you鈥檙e not familiar with, seek out other adults who engage in that activity and can tell you where to find supplies and resources.
Encourage your child to try out various activities to discover what resonates with them. Attend introductory sessions or events together to get a feel for the different options available. This exploration phase is essential for finding activities that align with your child’s personality and preferences.
Facilitate time management
You鈥檝e probably noticed the more activities your child has on the schedule, the more challenging it is to get schoolwork done and still get a healthy amount of sleep. Teaching time management skills early on prepares your child for balancing multiple commitments and fosters a sense of responsibility.
Consider working together on time boundaries for hobbies that your child has trouble managing on their own. You may also want to sit down on Sundays to help your child create their schedule for the week, talking through any time conflicts and setting priorities. This will help set the foundation for them to take responsibility for managing their own time.
Provide resources
Ensure that your child has access to the resources and materials they need for their chosen clubs or hobbies. This may include renting or purchasing necessary equipment, supplies, or providing transportation to and from activities. By demonstrating your commitment to their interests, you contribute to their success and enjoyment of their extracurricular experience.
Foster a supportive environment
Create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere at home that values your child’s participation in clubs and hobbies. Attend their events, show interest in their progress, and celebrate their achievements.
Encourage them during challenging times and emphasize the importance of effort and personal growth over mere success. This support reinforces their self-esteem and motivation to pursue their interests.
Whether it’s through the structured activities of a club or the individual pursuit of a hobby, your child will benefit from holistic and enriched educational experiences outside the classroom. These experiences help prepare your child for success academically and in their personal lives. As adults, we all find joy and purpose in life through different avenues.
Extracurricular activities — especially clubs and hobbies — help your child explore their passions, push boundaries, and develop a sense of purpose that will serve them through their school-age years and beyond.
