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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Are ballet and Squirrels enough extra-curricular activities for primary school?

10 replies

SupportiveMum202 · 04/08/2026 18:02

Hi all,

So far, DC does ballet (she's just started for the very first time!) and Scouts (in Squirrels for now). Alongside this, we attend Rhymetime & Storytime at the local library, and she attends primary school.

Just wondering if that's enough to carry her through primary school; does it cover the main skills of Social & Emotional Skills, Cognitive & Academic Skills, Physical & Motor Skills, and Personal & Life Skills? i.e., will she be able to have a fulfilling childhood & make good friendships with just these activities, or is there more we need to do to support her social life?

Please advise.

Edit: She also does private, one-on-one swimming lessons fortnightly with a swim coach.

OP posts:
FionnulaTheCooler · 04/08/2026 18:03

I'd add swimming lessons as I think learning to swim is an important life skill but honestly that's plenty, kids need downtime as well especially when just starting school.

Original poster
SupportiveMum202 · 04/08/2026 18:07

FionnulaTheCooler · 04/08/2026 18:03

I'd add swimming lessons as I think learning to swim is an important life skill but honestly that's plenty, kids need downtime as well especially when just starting school.

Yes, she also attends swimming lessons fortnightly with a swim coach. However, there is no interaction with other children as these are one-on-one private sessions.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 04/08/2026 18:07

I was going to say missing swimming lessons but then read your last paragraph.

Seems good to me.

They need to learn self regulation and self entertainment at this age as well as that’s a core skill.

Seeline · 04/08/2026 18:08

She may want more as she gets older. She might want to add in other dance classes, or start a musical instrument.
She might want to drop everything and try something completely new - friends might be doing something else.
Don't forget family activities all have a role to play - walks, cycle rides, trips to museums, galleries, parks and gardens, theatre etc.
But yes, make sure she has time to do her own thing - reading, craft, Lego, cooking, playing in the garden etc

Original poster
SupportiveMum202 · 04/08/2026 18:09

itsgettingweird · 04/08/2026 18:07

I was going to say missing swimming lessons but then read your last paragraph.

Seems good to me.

They need to learn self regulation and self entertainment at this age as well as that’s a core skill.

Is it considered this if she can play by herself and knows how to communicate emotions (if she's sad, angry or tired and we have action plans on what she can do - e.g. deep breaths, give Mummy a cuddle etc.)?

OP posts:
Original poster
SupportiveMum202 · 04/08/2026 18:13

Seeline · 04/08/2026 18:08

She may want more as she gets older. She might want to add in other dance classes, or start a musical instrument.
She might want to drop everything and try something completely new - friends might be doing something else.
Don't forget family activities all have a role to play - walks, cycle rides, trips to museums, galleries, parks and gardens, theatre etc.
But yes, make sure she has time to do her own thing - reading, craft, Lego, cooking, playing in the garden etc

Edited

My main concern was just extracurricular hobbies but we also go for cycle rides, go to playgrounds and have been doing trips to museums, galleries, parks and gardens etc. over the holidays.
Mostly her free time is spent doing reading, colouring, playing with her toys, playing in the garden with big brother and big sister & watching TV.

OP posts:
ShetlandishMum · 04/08/2026 18:14

Yes!

TeenToTwenties · 04/08/2026 18:22

Plenty.

dodobookends · 04/08/2026 18:36

It's fine. A ballet class isn't intended as a social activity anyway, they are learning new physical skills and need to listen to the teacher and the music all the time.

ilovesushi · 07/08/2026 22:21

Whatever works for your child and your family. My DD wanted to do everything. Is/ was very social, loved group activities and had wide ranging interests. DS was more exhausted by school with his social battery and energy levels down to zero at the end of the day, so benefited from more down time. For me it was important that they play a musical instrument and do at least one physical activity, but they were my personal priorities and yours may be different. As they get older they tend to whittle down their hobbies to the ones they genuinely love and excel in, so it is worth trying out a few different things.

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