As someone who鈥檚 spent years immersed in sports and extracurricular activities — both as an athlete and now as a coach — I鈥檝e seen firsthand the incredible benefits these experiences can bring to kids.
Whether it鈥檚 building confidence, learning teamwork, or discovering hidden talents, extracurricular activities go beyond keeping kids busy — they help shape who they are.
But with so many options available, figuring out what鈥檚 best for your child can feel overwhelming. Should they try a team sport? Explore a creative pursuit? Or maybe dive into community service? It鈥檚 not just about filling their schedule; it鈥檚 about finding what fits their personality and interests while keeping a healthy balance with family life, school, and friends.
This guide is here to help. From choosing the right activity to understanding the benefits and challenges, you鈥檒l find everything you need to support your child鈥檚 extracurricular journey. Let鈥檚 explore how these experiences can help your child grow, thrive, and succeed — both inside and outside the classroom.
What are extracurricular activities and why are they important?
Extracurricular activities are anything your child does outside the classroom, from sports and arts to community service, internships, jobs, and clubs. These activities are more than hobbies — they鈥檙e opportunities to develop life skills, build friendships, and explore interests.
A from the University of Wisconsin states that participating in extracurricular activities is associated with higher self-esteem and resilience and fewer incidences of risky behaviors.
In addition, found that kids who participate in extracurricular activities are up to three times more likely to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional has concluded that when students participate in school-based extracurriculars, such as team sports and clubs, they feel more connected to their school, which is a key factor in student success.
What鈥檚 more, college admissions officers tend to favor applicants who participate in the same extracurricular activity for more than one year because it demonstrates persistence and dedication.
Understanding the important role extracurriculars can play in your child鈥檚 sense of self, feeling of belonging, and academic achievement can help you guide your child toward meaningful experiences that can help them grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Defining extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities encompass any organized pursuit outside of regular school hours, such as sports, arts, clubs, internships, or volunteer work. They provide opportunities for children to explore interests and develop skills beyond academics.
Participation in extracurricular activities has been shown to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
The benefits of extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities offer more than just entertainment — they foster personal growth and skill development.
Sports, for instance, can build resilience and teamwork, though some families might wonder, are we too obsessed with youth sports? The intense focus on competition can sometimes overshadow the joy and life lessons these activities bring.
These activities also teach responsibility, leadership, and balance, helping kids discover success outside of school and beyond traditional academic achievement.
Choosing the right extracurricular activities for your child
Finding the best extracurricular activities for your child means considering their interests, strengths, and schedule. The right choice can pique their curiosity, spark a passion, build valuable skills, contribute to their overall happiness, and perhaps even give them a sense of purpose.
Fueling your child鈥檚 curiosity, passion, and purpose with extracurricular activities
Children are little curiosity machines. Research shows that curious children are more likely to be successful socially, emotionally, and academically. Sadly, classrooms (and homes) with too many strict rules can unintentionally squelch children鈥檚 curiosity — read more about nine curiosity killers to avoid at home and school.
Instead, you want to understand and nurture your child鈥檚 curiosity. Extracurricular activities are a great way to do that. Starting with your child鈥檚 curiosity is your best bet for finding a class, program, or activity that your child will get excited about.
Psychologist Madeline Levine says kids who seem bored or disengaged are rarely so; instead, those kids seem disengaged because, 鈥渢he platter that is being offered to them does not include the kind of things that interest them.鈥� That can be even more true for teens who, bored of the typical high school curriculum, may end up thrill-seeking because their natural curiosity is not being sparked academically.
For some children, signing up for soccer and a music class is quick and easy. For others, the process takes longer. One mom explains that the journey to finding her son鈥檚 passions involved a lot of trial and error. 鈥淗e found the most popular activities of the neighborhood kids — soccer, basketball, and band — too chaotic, stressful, and competitive,鈥� she writes. But by asking the right questions of her son and trying new things, they found his passions: drums and golf.
Another mom shares her story of encouraging her teens to use summer internships to explore their passions — to positive effect. 鈥淚 know that each experience opens my kids鈥� eyes to possibilities — makes clear to them that the world is so much bigger than our tiny sliver of Georgia,鈥� she explains.
Yet another family went to extremes to indulge their 8-year-old child鈥檚 curiosity, which turned into a passion, and morphed into a sense of purpose.
Of the three, purpose is the most amazing. Research shows that having purpose is correlated with having energy, feeling satisfied, exercising more, having a better self-image, performing better in school, and being happy. Our exercise on helping your teen find their purpose may be an excellent way to uncover possible new extracurricular activities.
For more on purpose, listen to our podcast episode.
Finding balance between school and extracurriculars
Choosing the right extracurricular activities involves finding a balance between your child鈥檚 interests and their overall well-being.
Over-scheduling can lead to stress and burnout, so it鈥檚 essential to prioritize activities that fit your child鈥檚 energy levels and commitments. Ensuring balance in your child鈥檚 life can help them stay engaged and motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
Age-appropriate activities
Different stages of childhood call for different types of extracurriculars. Younger children might thrive in activities that develop social and motor skills, while older kids may enjoy more structured programs that match their evolving interests and strengths. Extracurricular activities for different age groups offers tailored opportunities for growth and learning at every stage.
Popular types of extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities come in many forms, offering opportunities to engage your child鈥檚 body, mind, and heart. Whether your child is passionate about sports, art, music, dance, robotics, academics, or giving back, there鈥檚 something for everyone. This section explores a range of activities to help you discover the perfect fit for your child.
Sports and physical activities
Sports and physical activities are a fantastic way for children to stay active while building important skills like teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. For example, soccer and basketball are popular team-based choices that encourage collaboration and communication.
More individualized sports, such as tennis, swimming, and gymnastics are great ways for children to build confidence and learn the values of setting goals, practicing for improvement, using positive self-talk, and staying focused.
However, some sports, such as soccer and football, carry a higher risk of injury, as highlighted in research on the most dangerous sports for girls and the most dangerous sports for boys. By choosing the right activity and ensuring proper safety measures, families can help their children enjoy the many benefits of sports while minimizing risks.
Arts and creative pursuits
Creative activities like drawing, music, and theater inspire children to express themselves while building skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. For younger kids, parents and educators know that play is how children learn. There are high-quality programs and classes designed for preschoolers that introduce creativity and expose little ones to new interests. Starting in elementary school, there are even more options available to help children learn and refine new talents by exploring ways to inspire creativity and tapping into artistic growth.
Music can also play a vital role in any child鈥檚 development, whether it鈥檚 singing, listening to music, finding the beat, writing or interpreting lyrics, playing an instrument, or learning to read music. Music offers emotional and cognitive benefits and supports brain development. These activities not only foster self-expression but also enhance emotional growth and innovation, making them an essential part of a well-rounded extracurricular experience.
Academic and STEM clubs
Academic and STEM clubs offer children the opportunity to explore subjects they鈥檙e passionate about beyond the classroom. From robotics teams to coding clubs, these activities build critical thinking and problem-solving skills — and fuel curiosity — while encouraging teamwork and innovation.
Whether it鈥檚 competing in science fairs, learning to code, or writing a play in iambic pentameter, academic clubs provide an engaging way for kids to prepare for future academic and career success.
Online extracurricular activities
Online extracurriculars provide flexible opportunities for kids to explore their interests from home. Virtual coding classes, art lessons, and science experiments make it easy to learn at your own pace and participate despite barriers (such as transportation, time constraints, social anxiety, and more).
For families with busy schedules, online extracurricular activities for kids offer a convenient way to engage in enriching experiences while balancing other commitments.
Volunteering and community service
Volunteering is a meaningful way for children to develop empathy and a sense of responsibility while giving back to their community. Families can start with simple ideas, such as one-hour volunteer opportunities, or explore ways to help others together.
For a more immersive experience, taking the kids on a volunteer vacation can combine travel with meaningful work. Resources like Volunteering 101 can help families find the best opportunities to match their values and interests.
For example, your young athlete may be able to volunteer their time as a league referee or, in high school, as a coach for younger players. Your bookworm may be able to give back by reading with younger children or volunteering as a tutor. And your animal lover may be able to spend time walking dogs or comforting animals at the local animal shelter.
How to find extracurricular activities
Finding the right extracurricular activities for your child starts with knowing where to look. Whether you鈥檙e exploring options online or connecting through your community, there are plenty of resources available to help you discover the perfect fit.
Online directories and local listings
Online directories and these websites are an excellent starting point for finding activities that match your child鈥檚 interests. Resources like our Ultimate list of extracurricular activities for children and teens offer a comprehensive guide to the many opportunities available, from sports and arts to STEM and volunteer programs.
Your city鈥檚 recreation department is always a great place to start, as are local libraries and your child鈥檚 school counselor.
Getting involved through schools and communities
Your child鈥檚 school and local community are valuable hubs for extracurricular opportunities. Many schools host clubs and organizations that cater to a variety of interests, from academic pursuits to creative hobbies.
Exploring Clubs and hobbies as extracurricular activities is a great way to help your child connect with peers while discovering new passions.
Balancing extracurricular activities and school life
Balancing extracurricular activities with family time and schoolwork is crucial to your child鈥檚 overall well-being. While these activities offer incredible benefits, overloading your child can lead to stress and fatigue. This section explores how to find the right balance to help your child thrive.
Managing time effectively
Helping your child manage their time starts with understanding their limits and priorities. Extracurriculars should complement — not compete with — family time, schoolwork, and time with friends. By fostering balance in your child鈥檚 life, you can create a schedule that supports their growth without overwhelming them.
When commitments do clash or add up to too much, it鈥檚 a great learning opportunity to teach your child about priorities and following through on a commitment. For example, studying for a math test is likely more important than going to soccer practice — even though by not going to practice, your child is letting down their teammates.
Avoiding burnout
Burnout can occur when children feel pressured to stick with activities they no longer enjoy or when schedules become unmanageable. Knowing when to reassess commitments is key. For some children, the decision to quit or carry on can teach valuable lessons about perseverance and self-awareness while ensuring they maintain a healthy balance in their lives.
Extracurriculars and teen jobs
Extracurricular activities, internships, and part-time jobs can offer teens valuable life experiences, teaching responsibility, time management, and independence. Whether through an internship, a traditional summer job, volunteer opportunities, or a pathway program at their high school, these activities help teens build skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Summer jobs and internships
Summer jobs provide teens with the chance to earn money while gaining practical experience. From babysitting to lifeguarding to working at a restaurant or retail store, these roles help teens develop responsibility, accountability, and workplace skills.
For teens with unique challenges, options like summer jobs for teens with learning differences offer tailored opportunities to succeed. Many families also encourage teens to embrace an honest day鈥檚 work as a step toward independence and self-confidence.
Volunteer-based programs
Volunteering offers teens a way to give back while gaining valuable life skills. Programs that focus on helping others provide a meaningful way for teens to connect with their community, explore their interests, and build a sense of empathy. Volunteer roles can also be an excellent addition to college applications, showing commitment, compassion, and leadership.
Preparing for college with extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities play a significant role in preparing teens for college by helping them develop skills, interests, and achievements that stand out on applications.
How activities enhance college applications
Colleges value students who demonstrate leadership, follow-through, and passion. Extracurriculars can highlight your teen鈥檚 strengths and create a compelling narrative for their application. Strategically choosing activities that align with their interests can make a big impact, as outlined in our article on The role of extracurricular activities in college applications.
Balancing extracurriculars with academic goals
While extracurriculars are important, maintaining academic success is essential for college preparation. Many college counselors recommend that teens make the most of their summers. By planning your teen鈥檚 summer after 9th grade, you can help your child start thinking about their future while also ensuring that they get the fun and downtime they need to recharge fro sophomore year.
Then planning again to help your teen step it up the summer after 10th grade, can give them another opportunity to think about what they鈥檙e interested in, what they may like to do in the future, and what may give them a sense of purpose.
Thoughtful planning and scheduling allows teens to grow academically and personally while staying prepared for the college admissions process.
Getting involved with your child鈥檚 extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities offer countless benefits, from building confidence, social skills, and knowledge to creating lasting memories. As a parent, you can support your child by exploring opportunities together and even getting involved yourself — whether by sponsoring a team, coaching, or volunteering. These shared experiences can make a lasting impact on your child鈥檚 growth and happiness.
