Extracurricular activities have amazing benefits for your child. But understanding what is available and where to start looking can be a challenge. Read on to explore different types of extracurricular activities and hobbies, learn how to find activities that match your child’s interests, and get inspired by our extensive lists of examples.
Why extracurricular activities matter
Extracurricular activities provide opportunities for children to explore their interests, develop talents, and build self-confidence outside of the academic setting. that involvement in extracurricular activities is associated with earning better grades, higher standardized test scores, higher educational attainment, better school attendance, higher rates of self-esteem and resilience and, to top it all off, lower rates of risky behavior. They have the ability to enrich kids鈥� lives by fostering crucial life skills such as teamwork, time management, and leadership abilities. Read more about why extracurricular activities matter.
Benefits of participation in extracurricular activities
that participating in extracurricular activities benefits kids socially, academically, and mentally, especially as they get older. In particular, extracurricular participation is associated with higher rates of self-esteem and resilience and lower rates of risky behavior. Eric Eng, College Admission Expert and the Founder and CEO of AdmissionSight, notes some of these benefits: 鈥淓ngaging in creative extracurricular activities shapes children’s cognitive skills and improves their overall development. Arts-based activities, for instance, foster creativity, imagination, and self-expression. Students learn to look at the world from different perspectives and gain an understanding of diverse cultures and traditions.鈥� Ultimately, he adds, extracurricular activities give kids the opportunity to develop in ways school usually cannot facilitate.
There are also significant academic benefits when kids participate in extracurriculars. A research found that students who participated in extracurricular activities were up to three times more likely to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 鈥淓xtracurricular activities make learning fun, reduce stress, and enhance academic performance,鈥� adds Eng.
Types of extracurricular activities
There are many different types of extracurricular activities. As adults, we often think first of activities that we participated in, or we think of more traditional extracurricular activities like team sports or the arts. While those are wonderful options (they are popular for a reason), it is a good idea to explore all kinds of options. You never know what might stick for your child!
Extracurricular activities at school
High schools typically offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, as do some elementary and middle schools. School-based extracurricular activities are convenient and can be very effective. First, they鈥檙e offered in a familiar environment for students to explore their interests outside of the classroom. These activities often provide structured guidance and mentorship from teachers or coaches, helping students develop new skills and talents while also building a bond with a trusted adult at school. shows that having at least one trusted adult at school helps kids get better grades and feel more motivated. Kids who engage in school-based extracurriculars tend to develop camaraderie and feel more like they 鈥渂elong鈥� at their school.
Athletics and school sports
The first activities that come to mind for many parents are team sports and school athletics. Sports teams have long been a part of school culture, and they provide a great way for kids to get involved in their school community. According to the , in 2021 49.1 percent of high school students played at least one school sport. A shows that participation in school sports is 鈥渟ignificantly associated with academic achievement, positive body-image perceptions, and self-esteem.鈥� Involvement in school sports teams cultivates holistic development, nurturing physical, social, and emotional well-being while instilling important values like cooperation, fairness, and good sportsmanship — qualities that will serve your child well into adulthood.
School sports teams to consider (where available)
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bass fishing
Bocce ball
Cheerleading
Cricket
Cross Country
Curling
Equestrian (e.g., Show Jumping)
Fencing
Field Hockey
Figure skating
Football (American)
Golf
Gymnastics
Kayaking
Lacrosse
Rock climbing
Rodeo
Rowing
Rugby
Skiing (Alpine or Nordic)
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Surfing
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
Tennis and pickleball
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
5 most popular high school sport for girls ()
In the 2021-2022 school year, 3.2 million high school girls played school sports. Here are the 5 most-played sports in the U.S. for girls.
- Track and field (outdoor)
- Volley
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Softball (fast pitch)
5 most popular high school sports for boys ()
In the 2021-2022 school year, 4.4 million high school boys played school sports. Here are the 5 most-played sports in the U.S. for boys.
- Football (11 player)
- Track and field (outdoor)
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Soccer
School-based clubs, groups, and teams
Clubs also play a vital role in students鈥� growth and development, both academically and personally. These organized groups, often student-led or co-lead with a teacher or mentor, extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. Clubs provide a platform for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and forge lasting connections. Student participation in clubs can impact skills and interests now and in future career choices.
that participation in STEM clubs can increase the likelihood that students will choose a STEM major in college. A diverse array of clubs allows students to tailor their extracurricular involvement to their passions and ambitions, ultimately enriching their academic journey, preparing them for challenges, and making them more aware of opportunities that lie ahead.
School clubs, groups, and teams to consider (where available)
Academic Decathlon
Affinity groups and clubs (e.g. Black Student Union, Asian Student Alliance, etc.)
Art club
Asian Student Alliance
Black Student Union
Chess club
Coding class or club
Cultural diversity club
Debate club
Drama club
Environmental club
Film club
Girls/Boys State
Health and wellness club
Language clubs
LGBTQIA+ clubs
Literary Magazine club
Math club
Mindfulness club
Music clubs (e.g., Choir, Glee, Acapella groups, School band, Independent band, etc. )
PFLAG clubs
Podcast club
Robotics club or team
School newspaper
Science club
Student Government Association (SGA)
Technology clubs (e.g., Coding, Robotics, Graphic design, etc.)
Yearbook committee
Yoga clubs
Extracurricular activities outside of school
Extracurricular activities outside of school offer additional benefits beyond what kids may experience with school-based activities. First, by participating in community-based clubs or programs, your child can broaden their horizons and discover new areas of interest. These non-school-based activities can help your child connect with others — from different schools, backgrounds, experience levels, age groups, and more — promoting social diversity and cultural understanding.
Experts suggest that helping kids create separate areas in their life for social interaction and making friends is a helpful way to buffer them from the potential stress and pain of peer pressure, exclusion, and bullying.
Engaging in extracurricular activities outside of school can enhance your child’s sense of autonomy and independence and help them expand their perception of the world and navigate real-world challenges.
Volunteering
Volunteering offers kids the opportunity to develop empathy and compassion by directly engaging with people or communities in need. Children can explore diverse interests and discover their passions while making meaningful contributions to society. Scientific research shows that generosity boosts happiness.
Volunteering provides a sense of fulfillment and boosts self-esteem as kids witness the positive impact they can have on others’ lives. To help your child find volunteer activities, start within your community: beaches, parks, museums, and animal shelters often have specific volunteer opportunities for kids.
Hobbies
Hobbies can be a great option outside of school, as they serve as a constructive outlet for creativity and self-expression. And because hobbies often revolve around a specific talent or interest, they typically teach a new skill set specific to that area.
Like many other types of extracurricular activities, hobbies contribute to holistic personal development by enhancing social skills, teamwork, and time management. Participation in hobbies can promote mental well-being and provide stress relief, giving kids a break from the demands of their academic lives.
Extracurriculars outside of school to consider (where available)
Art classes
Astronomy clubs
Book clubs
Chess clubs or tournaments
Coding clubs or camps
Community service organizations (e.g., )
Community theater productions
Cooking classes
Creative writing classes or clubs
Dance classes or groups
Debate clubs
Drama / Theater workshops
Environmental conservation groups (e.g., )
Foreign language classes or clubs
Gardening clubs
Horseback riding lessons, camps, or clubs
Martial Arts classes
Model rocketry clubs
Music bands or ensembles (outside of school)
Music lessons
Outdoor adventure clubs
Photography clubs
Public speaking classes or clubs
Reading groups or programs (e.g. at the library)
Robotics clubs or competitions
Science and STEM clubs
Science projects and activities (e.g., )
Stargazing events
Swim clubs or teams
Writing workshops
Youth sports leagues (e.g., , )
Youth volunteer programs (e.g., )
Choosing the right extracurricular activities
To choose (or help choose) the right extracurricular activities for your child, start with your child鈥檚 interests. Even if you鈥檙e trying to expose your child to new ideas or spark new interests, it鈥檚 a good idea to start with activities that your child naturally gravitates toward. From there, you can start to branch out.
Matching activities to interests
While you want to choose activities that align with your child鈥檚 interests, you may not know what these are yet, especially if your child is still young. It will be part of the growing process to see what your child gravitates toward and let them try out lots of things. To start with, look for free or one-time opportunities at school or in your community to give your child some exposure before committing to a larger package of classes or a whole sports season.
Giving older kids a say in the activities they choose is crucial. Have your child think about the things they enjoy doing or want to try and go from there. If your child鈥檚 interests don鈥檛 necessarily line up with what you are hoping for them to be involved in, consider combining activities or compromising. Let鈥檚 say your child loves video games, and only wants to choose activities that involve video games. Look for a virtual or in-person video game group or club that is mediated by an expert adult — and also encourage your child to take a similar but new path, like coding, virtual art, or graphic design.
Many high school students have college applications in mind when choosing activities. They may be asking, 鈥淲hat extracurricular activities look best on college applications?鈥� Remember, no matter what activity you choose, your depth of involvement in the activity is the most important.
Antonio Cruz, a college counselor with , asserts that 鈥淎ny extracurricular can be impressive; it depends what you do with it. The longer and deeper your involvement with a particular extracurricular, the more impressive it will be.鈥�
Students should choose extracurricular activities that are fun for them, and that line up with their interests and what they want to pursue in college and beyond. Colleges are looking for applicants who have devoted substantial time and energy to a few meaningful pursuits rather than superficially participating in as many activities as possible.
Balancing extracurricular activities and schoolwork
While extracurricular activities offer valuable opportunities for growth and exploration, they also add to kids鈥� already busy schedules, including school, family, friends, work, taking care of their physical and mental health, and other commitments. Overcommitment to extracurriculars can lead to burnout and hinder academic performance. Conversely, neglecting extracurricular activities entirely may limit a child’s holistic development and cause them to miss out on opportunities for socialization and skill-building beyond the classroom. Taking a balanced approach requires effective time management on your part, and on your child鈥檚. While this will look different for every family, these tips can help you and your child work toward striking an appropriate balance.
- Choose activities carefully: Assess your child鈥檚 interests, goals, and developmental needs. Then, look for activities that line up with both their needs and interests.
- Prioritize downtime: that unstructured time to play and explore is vitally important for child development and should be prioritized throughout the week. While it can be tempting to fill up every minute with productive activities, rest, relaxation, and fun are important.
- Create a schedule: Each week, map out the time that is currently dedicated to commitments such as school and extracurriculars. Make sure everyone in the family is aware of this schedule and that a plan is in place to handle transportation and any overlap with other activities or responsibilities.
- Stay up-to-date: Communicating with teachers, coaches, or club leaders and staying informed about upcoming events and deadlines allows you to plan accordingly and maintain a healthy equilibrium between academics and extracurricular pursuits.
Participating in extracurricular activities online
It鈥檚 no secret that we are living in an increasingly digital age. With this comes the emergence of online extracurricular activities: structured and educational pursuits that a child engages in outside of regular academic coursework, facilitated through internet-based platforms.
As technology continues to be a vital part of the way we learn and work, online activities have become more popular and useful. They also have unique benefits, such as flexibility, accessibility, and personalization.
鈥淲ith online extracurricular activities, students have access to a broader range of options that may not be available in their local community,鈥� says Eng. 鈥淭his allows them to explore new interests and passions without limitations. It is more accessible for students from all backgrounds.鈥�
Additionally, online activities are uniquely able to help kids develop technological skills that will be essential as they continue their schooling and move into the workforce. 鈥淪ince technology is the foundation for online extracurricular activities, students naturally develop essential skills such as digital literacy, time management, and critical thinking,鈥� adds Eng.
Virtual clubs and interest groups
Virtual clubs and interest groups provide students with the flexibility to participate from anywhere, accommodating busy schedules and eliminating geographical constraints. Additionally, they offer a safe and comfortable space for students to express themselves, share ideas, and collaborate with peers who share their passions. Check out or , which are platforms that can help you and your child find interesting and safe virtual clubs and interest groups.
Online classes and courses
Online courses offer kids the flexibility to learn at their own pace and tailor their education to their individual needs and interests. They provide access to a wide range of subjects and resources that may not be available in traditional classrooms, allowing children to explore diverse topics and develop specialized skills. Additionally, online courses cultivate independence and self-discipline in young learners, preparing them for future academic and professional endeavors. Look for free courses or options that have a free first class so that your child can try out an option before committing.
It can be difficult to help your child decide on the right extracurricular activities. Remember that your child will have the most success in an extracurricular that they enjoy. Use these lists as a starting point to help your child see that they have a wide range of options available to them.
