Ideas for extra curricular clubs for 8yo DD

[Anon501178]

DD is potentially looking at giving up her Drama and Gymnastics at the end of summer term as she fancies a change.
She also does Modern dance classes and wants to continue that.

She isn't very sporty generally, but likes swimming (did try when she was younger but she struggled to focus and times didn't work very well...could maybe try again now as she could do with progressing her skills in that)
She trialled karate a while back, but wasn't keen.She isn't sure about football as despite us not promoting this attitude, i think she sees it more as a masculine thing.But she has agreed we could maybe go and have a look at a girls team playing.

She would love to do horse riding but was a firm NO as it was £30 a week 😱 for even a half an hour group session! Not affordable for us unfortunately.

She might be interested in learning an instrument but not sure of cost and wouldn't want anything too formal.

She has hypermobility to bear in mind, and also mild ASD (Which doesn't cause too much issue other than she can get bored more easily and can be quite cautious sometimes.

What clubs do others daughters of a similar age enjoy please??

What about other dance classes? Does her dance school offer a selection? Hip Hop is really popular around here, or more traditional ballet/tap?

It does sound like the artier/more musical sideo f things might be working better for her.

If she wants to try a musical instrument and be a bit more informal... drums? Or join a children's choir?

I like the variety that you get in Cubs. You don't have to excel at anything and get to try lots of different activities.

Ours were doing cubs, lifeguards and learning an instrument at that age.

Mine does swimming, Brownies and electric guitar.

Thanks for the useful responses...does anyone know how much music lessons cost? I learnt the piano when younger and still have my late dad's one at my mum's house.She has said she is interested in learning to play but depends on cost and how formal it would be as if something isn't made fun she quickly gets bored!

Ah I didn't realise cubs was open to girls aswell....that might be good as she loves being outdoors in nature and getting messy if they do that sort of thing.

Mine enjoys CrossFit kids, Spanish, cheerleading?

Brownies, pottery club, gymnastics, swimming, a musical instrument and a gardening club.

Would especially recommend brownies - it’s inexpensive, ours do a very wide variety of activities including optional sleepovers and weekend things and I think my daughter really likes having some female friends from outside school, especially with a boy dominant class.

Brownies, children’s choir, cubs, St John ambulance badgers.

music lessons vary massively. Some schools/music hubs will offer group lessons to begin with which keeps the cost down.

Cubs or brownies, swimming, we have a wildlife outdoor club near us that my ASD daughter loved

At that age my DD was doing cycling (a racing club), Cubs and she did keyboard at school but has now switched to flute. She was also doing swimming lessons, and I can't remember when she started but by 9 she was going to a church youth group.
Cycling was a Sat morning which took over from football which took over from ballet which took over from gymnastics. Cycling has lasted way longer than any of the previous ones.

Glad it's not just my DD that chops and changes 😅 She is abit of a jack of all trades and a sucker for novelty, haha

@Anon501178Beavers, then Cubs, now Scouts has lasted pretty well out of all of those!

Another vote for Cubs. As @PerplexedOnceMore said, there is so much variety in the things a good Scout Group do. Also by far and away the most value for money activity any of ours did over the years.

To answer your question, learning a musical instrument is not cheap. You are paying a qualified person for 1:1 time for their skills. Plus of course you need to buy the instrument.

Brownies
Netball
Softball
Athletics
Art classes

Swimming.
Football.
Brownies / scouts.
Theatretrain.
Language lessons.
Music lessons.
Trampolining.
Youth club / group.
Choir?

Depending on your daughter either Brownies or Cubs. Both do similar activities as the organisations have similar heritage. Brownies is girls only, Cubs is mixed.
For music lessons to start with they only need 15 or 20 minute lessons. We still have a music service that provides the polypetetic teachers that go into schools and cost around £50/hour.

@Anon501178 the cost of music lessons varies massively according to where you live, and the instrument/availability of teachers. Does your dd’s school offer any music lessons? It often possible to do group lessons which can cut the cost considerably

DD is 8. She does a lot of activities: ballet, tap and modern; cubs (this is her favourite); a singing, dancing and acting class; Spanish; trombone lessons; a weekly wind instrument group; swimming lessons; a fortnightly Scout & Guide band; parkrun and junior parkrun. (Singing, dancing & acting + Spanish are afterschool clubs at DD’s school).

We pay £22.50 for a local A-level student (who’s grade 8 trombone) to teach DD for an hour. (We couldn’t find a local teacher). The weekly wind band is ~£50/term; the scout band is free and lent us an instrument (also at no cost).

How about synchronised swimming or climbing? The gymnastics would help both

Another suggestion for synchronised swimming! Would fit her background and sounds ideal if she likes dance/swimming.

Have a look at riding for disabled (RDA) groups as if she qualifies there is often free or subsidized sessions. Pony care sessions & on the ground sessions are often cheaper.

Pony care & riding are really popular with people with ASD & other disabilities & if she does develop a love for it it's one of the hobbies & interests that can last into adulthood. Very few adults continue with piano lessons & gymnastics but many ride & care for animals into adulthood.

My 8 year old grandson has been going to a baking school for a couple of years. He produces very professional bakes, both savoury and sweet. He also has a weekly art club.