If you grew up in the 80s/early 90s. Did you do extra curricular activities?

[Jellycatjellycat]

I'm interested to see what is the norm.

I did nothing, no swimming, dance, brownies or anything like that. I do remember other girls doing Brownies and Ballet after school and asking my mum if I could go. She shut it down and told me I wouldn't like it.

These days of course most children do a lot of extra curricular activities but wondering if perhaps it wasn't such a thing years ago.

I did Brownies but gave it up.
Used to go swimming occasionally but not to a regular swimming club.
Begged to do ballet but wasn't allowed.
As a teen I did drama club.

No.
There were things going on within walking distance of my house but I wasn't allowed to go to them. My older sister was allowed to go to some but she would decide she didn't like it and then I wasn't allowed on what seemed to be the basis that my parents decided I was of course exactly like her and so also wouldn't keep it up. Which is obviously nonsense but was why she got to try things and I didn't.

And anything further away was definitely never going to happen as my dad was the only driver and once he got in from work, he wasn't going back out again.
I went to school on the school bus so could never stay late to do anything there as I couldn't get home afterwards. Normal buses didn't run that route. My parents never even went to a parents evening.

I eventually learnt to swim when I was old enough to take myself off on my own to a pool in a nearby town, where one of the lifeguards took pity on me and taught me to a very basic level during the school holidays.

Thinking about the bigger picture in the 80s and 90s parents were more likely to encourage kids to pay outside so there maybe wasn't the same need to have organised social stuff outside school.

I was 70's /80's - I did dance, swimming club, St John's Ambulance, trampolining club, and Taekwondo. Not all at the same time though - I went through phases.

Yes I did swimming, brownies and piano in primary school. Secondary played in multiple bands and played competitiveness hockey, plus badminton club and musical theatre.

My children are definitely more accomplished and do more at a young age than I was/did though.

Quite a bit. Horse riding, ballet, tap, modern, drama, gymnastics and Brownies.

Does anyone who did these things still do them now when time allows?

That's a very good question!

I bet very few beyond summer holiday swimming. And some instrument players probably still pay now and then.

That said if kids have done any sort of hobby is not just about doing it as an adult. Its about giving kids another social outlet beyond school and certain life skills.
Physical things (sport / dance) help with fitness and team work, things like Scouts / guides etc encourages a level of independence and self confidence.

I did art class but not by choice. I had a SAHM so I guess they didn't need me somewhere after school. It seemed much looser in terms of kids activities back then.
Like unless you wanted to do Brownies or whatever, (no-one in my area did it) then you kind of made your own activities. There was a lot more unrestricted outdoor play back then. Lots of casual playdates, but none of my friends in the 80s really did structured activities, except one girl who did ballet. She was obsessed and got banned from doing it after a while due to ED.
It certainly feels more common now.

I was a schoolkid in the 70's & 80's
Did horseriding from 4 till young adult years.
A few months of ballet (hated it)
Flute & orchestra
Brownies/Guides

I was just about to ask this too.
Also for those who did a number of extra curricular activities are you more outgoing as adults and more likely to join a club and give it a try?

I did swimming and drama in the 80s and was awful at both. I probably asked to join Brownies and like a PP, I was told I wouldn't like it and quickly learned not to ask again.
I read A LOT and was lucky to have an endless supply of books in the house and a local library.

Brownies
Drama club
Irish dancing

I was very shy but drama definitely helped.
I still stress about some social situations but Ive travelled abroad alone and went to work in Hong Kong and study in the US without knowing anyone.
Im happy to join clubs and always have, I don’t need to know anyone and don’t feel the need to be in a crowd.
I think drama gave me confidence, independence and a sense of self worth that I didn’t really get at home.

I was born in 66 but I am still in no doubt it was drama and particularly the drama teacher who gave me the confidence to be who I am.

Yes for years

Piano lessons, violin lessons, gymnastics, choir, netball, swimming...

Can I ask at what age did you stop doing them?
What hobbies do you have now?

JackNoMiddleNameReacher

That is really interesting and helpful.

My kids do quite a few although DC1 has started to drop some of them.
We have spent tens of thousands and I've often wondered if they are worth it. I was never hoping for them to be at the top of their field but if I'm truthful I hoped they'd find something they would enjoy and be good at. Although they run happily into their clubs, they aren't particularly good at any of them. They're old enough now to realise this. Never sure whether to keep going or not to the ones they moan about going to but come out beaming?

Actually I was never that good at drama even though I did it for years age 7 to 18. It helped that our drama teacher never cast the same excellent people in the top roles and we all got a fare stab at everything.

I also did the set designs and brochures as my art was quite good and it was my drama teacher who told me I’d make a good architect.
Needless to say that’s exactly what I studied at Uni and now am.

In terms of the irish dancing I wasnt great but loved the music so I taught myself piano accordion ( my parents couldn’t afford music lessons ) and I now play in an Irish band.

One thing often leads to another in a roundabout way.

Great question. No not those things but I do things, member of a choir, in a book club, go to a yoga class - I’m always doing classes and joining clubs. I’ve always been “busy” and I like that routine.

as a kid, in the 1980’s, I did tennis, swimming, drama, ballet, brownies, guides, learnt various instruments. Very ordinary family and everything was local - nothing would have been very expensive. I couldn’t play out with kids were I lived so the hobbies were my social life.

Yes, not lots as I grew up in a single parent household. I remember doing brownies, it was 50p a week and I also remember doing swimming lessons (late 80's)

Brownies and gymnastics when I was around 7 - 9ish. Then a lot of school clubs once I got to secondary age (because they were all free).

I played a lot of netball aged 9-13. Lots of matches outside of school time.

I did Brownies and guides. Hated that we had to go to church so left that.

Joined the Woodcraft Folk for a bit which was fun.

None of this was arranged by my parents. I just joined with friends.

Most seemed to stop when I was about 15 when I didn't think they were cool anymore. I was an idiot and very much regret not continuing them now.

Due to family circumstances I don't get much time but I enjoy the countryside/my local National Park/walking and local history.

Born in '73 i did Horseriding, Brownies, Guides, Irish Dancing, Ballet & Modern. Riding was my main love.

Good question about if you still do hobbies as an adult.
I still like swimming which I was good at, but don’t go much really, time and other excuses.
From the flip side though, I wasn’t encouraged to do anything and as I said about the self limiting mentality of things “not bring for us” is something I’ve had to work hard to overcome. I’m still shy, still reserved about social and group activities, still feel silly and can’t dance and feel anxious and tend to keep people at arm’s length. I’ve done all sorts to be proud of and tried things that are more individual, but that unsure child is still inside me.
My children on the other hand are more comfortable in their own skin, have good social skills, and are generally pretty secure. I don’t think it’s so much that they will be the next Darcey Bussell more than the innate confidence and sense of belonging, teamwork, self discipline and commitment that hobbies bring. They might not continue them but they have fun and develop soft skills and cultural capital along the way.

Yes I did ballet and gymnastics and horse riding and netball. I also had music lessons for 2 instruments and was in a choir.oh! And brownies!