Which activities are, in your opinion, worth it?

[Sorelip]

I never took part in any extra-curricular activities when I was a child. DS1 only turned 2 in December, so obviously he won't be starting any activities just yet, but I want to do my homework before signing up for anything in future. I'm not sporty, musical, or anything really, so I have no real bias.

So, in your opinion, which activities are worth doing?

[Theas18]

Swimming definitely.

After that follow their interests. I think the most important thing is to do something ( maybe even do lots of things) out side of school. Develop a degree of " stickability" when a skill gets a bit tricky etc.

Interests that fit with the family are great but sometimes you have to run with a " maverick" child. Ours was DS playing rugby LOL (actually rugby was a terrible dilemma, he loved it but injuries were predictable, frequent and serious enough to loose time from school for etc. He's not playing this year -year 13- because of concerns re impact on A levels)

Music has been amazing for all 3 of ours. They aren't " gifted" but may have some talent, and have done a lot of it and gone far. THey've gained skills that will take them into adult life eg DD1 has a choral scholarship at uni- beats washing up in a bar to earn a few quid and has given her a "choir family" at uni.

[Sorelip]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it. I love the idea of Beavers, piano, swimming and a sport or martial art, depending on what DS is interested in doing. I also like the idea of gymnastics.

[Preferthedogtothekids]

Swimming and gymnastics definitely! even if your child doesn't want to be an Olympic gymnast, the body conditioning and coordination required for gymnastics will help massively with any future sports.

As for an instrument, I would say piano is a good one for learning how music works.

[PlainBrownEnvelope]

I think it really depends on the child and their interests so on that basis I don't think there are 'must haves' and ' waste of money's.

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I would find a fun movement/multi-sport activity for pre-school age. Get past the first term (or 2) of school without any as they're usually knackered then start swimming lessons. At 6 he can start Beavers which is brilliant & very reasonably priced. By 6/7 they can usually start cricket which runs through the summer months (& football or rugby in winter if you can face standing pitchside in the winter ) . At 7/8 I would try & enrol him for music lessons ideally during school time. If he's not the running around getting muddy type then dance/gymnastics might be a better option but I would start anything serious too young.

we've tried various different activities at different stages, this is what I would do if I had another DS.

[cheminotte]

Forest school has already stopped in Y2 here so no substitute for Beavers.

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

DS is 5 and starts kindergarten in September. He does Spanish and gymnastics weekly. We live in SoCal where Spanish is spoken everywhere so it seemed silly not to take advantage of this; he does an immersion class so they're not sat down "being taught", they have four hours of singing, arts and crafts, workbooks, activities, lunch and playtime but are only spoken to in Spanish, no English used at all. I don't expect him to become bilingual but think him being exposed to another language should make it easier for him to generally pick languages up later - and he loves it. Gymnastics because he had low confidence in his physical capabilities and this has really helped.

He was doing swimming for a while but even though he loved being in the pool he hated the lessons so we've taken a break and I'm searching for an intensive week or two semi or private lessons for him to do. I don't view swimming as a fun activity, it's imperative from a safety POV as we live by the ocean

He is desperate to play guitar but all teachers I've spoken to have advised not starting til he's 6/7. He refuses to consider another instrument so I'm happy to wait though think I'd prefer him to do an orchestral instrument for the social aspect as well.

DD is 2, about to start swimming, will do Spanish when she turns 3 and I need to find some physical activity for her, probably a similar gym class but she's more physically confident than DS and has better rhythm than him so might find a toddler dance class? Or just leave her be for another year! We're in LA and the pressure for our DC to be enrolled in everything going is intense

[Thumbwitch]

Maybe it depends on the individual children, Nancy?

I certainly didn't find them a waste of time for DS1, who started just prior to his 4th birthday - they helped him immeasurably in terms of reducing his fear of the water and especially of going underwater, something we couldn't do for him at home. Being in a class with peers who were not afraid did far more for him than we could.
Getting him to feel more at home in the water was a primary motivator, rather than getting him to actually swim - now he is just 6, he is able to get himself around the pool very effectively, if not prettily, and loves being thrown in, going underwater, messing around and so on. Just as well as we have our own!

DS2 is going with me to mother and baby swimming (Or Mums and Bubs as it's called here in Australia ) and he just loves "swimming" - not so keen on underwater but is very keen to get going. I don't like to have him on my own in our pool because I am not particularly confident myself; so won't "swim" with him at home unless DH is around. Going to the class means that DS2 also gets regular exposure to the water. But our local pool is only open September to the end of March (outdoor pool) so I'm considering taking him to an indoor pool further away in the winter months. Might not manage it though, I need the class time to motivate me to go!

[FruitSaladIsNotPudding]

My dd started swimming lessons at 3.5. She's now just 4 and in that time she's come on hugely - she's gone from refusing to let go of me/ dh to swimming confidently with a noodle float and starting to swim independently (only a couple of meters so far). Most of all, she's gained confidence in a way she just wouldn't have through going swimming as a family. So absolutely not a waste of time and money.

[needtobediscreet]

Swimming - it's a right faff though esp when they're small and if changing rooms are crap. I did swimming 'lessons' with my 18 mth old when he was a few months old and he hated it! Water too cold was the main reason. Gonna start taking him again soon though.

Gymnastics - semi structured i.e. more than just soft play. Great for all round flexibility and energy burning off and a good basis for almost any other sport they may want to do when older.

Something musical as most little ones love music and respond v well to it IME.

[teacherwith2kids]

I found pre-school swimming lessons - from 3.5 or so, the age when they were allowed to take part in group lessons without me being in the water with them - invaluable as a training in 'being part of a class under the tuition of a teacher', as well as teaching the children to swim....

[NancyJones]

Rhett??? They

[NancyJones]

Why are swimming lessons a waste of time before 5? Mine all started one to one swimming lessons at 3yrs and could swim proficiently by the time they stated school. This was great from a safety point of view and socially in that when they started swimming with school in reception Rhett enjoyed it more plus when we went if holiday they could enjoy all the water sports.

Why on earth is it a waste if time of money? I don't understand that at all!

[Badgerlady]

I think singing in a choir is a good one once he's a bit older. It's the one extra curricular activity I did that I've carried on into my adult life. It provides a ready made means of socialising when you move to new schools/university/area and it doesn't require the expense of buying an instrument.

Also develops musicality and sight reading, discipline and team work. And is good fun!

[Meglet]

Swimming. But I agree with lechers that a few private lessons are worth their weight in gold. Mine (7 & 5) have normal weekly lessons and I top up with a private lesson each every month or so which has really brought them on. (We're allowed to book the odd private lesson as and when we want it).

[pigsinmud]

Mine all learnt to swim with the school, so never bothered with lessons outside of school.

A sport and a musical instrument. Learning to play an instrument has all sorts of benefits for academic learning - dh is musician/teacher so we had a bias towards that.

[Timetoask]

Re swimming, lessons are a waste of money until they are at least 5, but it is important to take pre-schoolers to the pool (I would say once a week) so that they start enjoying the experience.

For me: Thinking long term it is a good idea to find at least one sport that your DC likes and that will help them get socially involved with peers not only as children but also as adults, be part of a team and all that. Whatever sport you dc fancies. Beavers is fantastic as well.

[yorkshirepuddings]

It's important that they enjoy what they do. Learning to swim is vital.

Now DS is older I am happy with a sport club, an instrument and a social type activity (in his case scouts). When they become teenagers it is easy to let things slide, but it's nice to have hobbies that you can carry through to being an adult.

[kslatts]

Both my dd's had swimming lessons as I think it's important they know how to swim. Dd1 went on to swim for a club for a while and dd2 stopped after she had completed the levels at the local swimming club but is now able to swim.

They both also go to Irish dancing classes. DD1 (14) has been dancing 9 years, loves it and it's great for keeping her fit. DD2 (12) started at age 4, stopped dancing when she was 9 and then has recently restarted again. Obviously enjoys it as she asked to go back, however doesn't love it as much as dd1. I think it helps with their confidence.

I think the right activity for your child is the one they really enjoy.

[Nocomet]

Both my DDs could swim by 5, although neither did very expensive water babies. DD2 did toddler lesson simply because it was a very convenient time for us to swim.

[lljkk]

Swimming but only from age 5 (I don't think value for money before then).
Footie (age 6+) is very good value for money usually, lots of cheap local clubs.
Scout movement good, too.

[NancyJones]

Definitely swimming. I was quite determined to make sure that all my boys could swim before starting school for both safety and social reasons. My ds3 (2.5) has SN and is having one to one lessons at the moment and they're doing him the world if good

Yes to beavers too. Waiting list will depend on area. If you ever have a dd, get her name down at birth as I've heard friends say there was a 3yr waiting list in their area!

We also started piano at 7yrs. My eldest learnt the basics then switched to cello which he's doing really well at.

Both older ones did football from toddlers. One still does football and the other now does cricket. Both play tennis.

We just followed their interests with the exception of swimming which was non negotiable.

[MyNameIsKenAdams]

Swimming.

We will also be taking dd to a kiddies rock climbing club. Hopefully she will enjoy it. Co-ordination, knots, technical skill and to hopefully avoid any fear of heights.

She can pick whatever else she wants to do as long as (1) it doesnt require her to go every weekend and (2) she commits for six months minimum.

[TheRaniOfYawn]

A musical instrument, a dance or martial art, maybe another sport, Brownies/cubs/woodcraft folk. And anything else they express an interest in learning. I'm not convinced about swimming either. I hardly know anyone my age who had formal swimming lessons and we all managed to swim. DD has some lessons at school and I'm planning on getting a few individual lessons for technique once she can swim a couple of lengths of the training pool, but I'm reasonably convinced that going swimming with me is enough for the time being.

[QueenofLouisiana]

Swimming. For so many reasons- even if you just say they can give up when they can do a length. We did gym as it developed co-ordination and core strength which can be applied to any sport. Also did Beavers, which has become Cubs (and left me running Beavers). Beavers is just a good starting point for Scouting as a whole which opens up so many opportunities as they get older (although I may be biased!!).