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Original poster

What activities/hobbies/classes do you recommend for kids?

60 replies

StrawBlueRas · 21/01/2026 20:24

This might seem like a weird question but I have two young kids aged 6 and 8.

They currently play football once a week. They enjoy playing, learning, exploring, etc.

I really want to nurture their brains as honestly this might sound mean but I feel like they’re just turning into zombies half the time. They go to school, come home, eat, read a book or two, watch tv, play together and go to bed.

What kind of activities or hobbies or classes would you recommend for young kids to get their skills increased and confidence improved etc?

I’m looking for something affordable but willing to spend a bit extra if it’s worth it for the kids!

OP posts:
Swissmeringue · 21/01/2026 20:48

What are they interested in? DD (7) does ballet, swimming, brownies, ice skating, football and Stagecoach. I'm after her dropping brownies because all they do is muck about playing wink murder for an hour and a half and she could do with a bit more downtime than she has but she claims she loves it so it's staying for now. I'm also teaching her to play the piano at home, she doesn't listen to a word I say but I don't really want to commit to a lesson at a particular time every week so we're soldiering on at home together. She tries other stuff in the holidays, went to a tennis camp she loved in the summer and is desperate to take up horse riding but it's so expensive that I'm putting it off in the hope she forgets about it. 😂

DS is only 3, he goes swimming and to little ruggers. He's probably gonna start doing ballet as soon as he's 4 because he and I are sat outside for 45 minutes anyway, he might as well go join in.

I'd just ask them what they fancy and give it a try then go from there.

Original poster
StrawBlueRas · 21/01/2026 20:47

mynameiscalypso · 21/01/2026 20:44

My 6 year old does a language club after school one day.

I’ve been looking at language tutors on Preply! Very keen for my kids to learn at least one other language and I feel like I’m already starting too late!

Where did you find the language tutor and how regular are the classes?

OP posts:
dazedandblue · 21/01/2026 20:45

DS5 does swimming and tennis
seems to really enjoy it so far

AllJoyAndNoFun · 21/01/2026 20:45

Mine both played rugby from 5. Now teens. DS still plays at school but quit club. Dd still plays club. It’s v affordable and generally get a nice crowd.

mynameiscalypso · 21/01/2026 20:44

My 6 year old does a language club after school one day.

Original poster
StrawBlueRas · 21/01/2026 20:42

DD tried ballet for a year but she ended up
leaving. It was nice while it lasted but I did find it surprisingly clique-y!

OP posts:
reluctantbrit · 21/01/2026 20:41

Scouts are brilliant but they stay and fall with the leaders. DD was in a really good one until the leaders managed to screw it up. It has since then recovered and the waiting list is mayhem.

Can you see if there is another group in the area?

DD definitely also benefitted from performing arts, not so much the dance part, she skipped that after 1 year. Over the years she did exams and joined a 12 year+ group from a local amateur theatre group and played in adult plays as well. It gave her huge amount of confidence, a good friendship group and no fear of speaking in front of others.

Original poster
StrawBlueRas · 21/01/2026 20:30

I put mine in brownies/beavers but I wasn’t massively impressed unfortunately :( the people running it were extremely tired and worn out, they had very little volunteer support and most of the activities felt more like childcare… sad because I had higher hopes

OP posts:
Moonnstarz · 21/01/2026 20:27

I agree with scouts (beavers/cubs).

TheNightingalesStarling · 21/01/2026 20:26

Beavers/Cubs

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