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Extra-curricular activities

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

Activity suggestions for 9 yo dd

42 replies

Everyoneafter3 · 04/06/2017 15:45

Can anyone suggest any activity - physical - for my dd1? She's done all the swimming badges she can do, pretty much (ASA Gold and 1km distance - I think we get she can swim...). She's really into music but isn't the most active child so she definitel needs 'structured' activity. She's also very goal-oriented so while we could and do take her for a regular swim/run/bike ride she needs more, iyswim.

Hates the idea of dance and gymnastics. Tried the latter twice when she was younger but the clubs here don't seem to have much in the way of recreational classes - it's basic stuff then straight to squad if promising but nothing for others really. Likes the idea of acro, oddly, but the places that do it insist on at least one dance class a week: I work and I cannot get her to activities after school plus she loathed ballet. Doesn't fancy diving, water polo or synchronised swimming, all of which are available at the local pool.

Loves cycling so wondered about local tri club but it clashes with orchestra which is her favourite thing in the world.

Local trampoline club is full and they aren't taking names for the waiting list even. Ditto with the local athletics clubs. She wondered about kick boxing which made me wonder about martial arts - an idea? Is there anything I haven't thought of?

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Booph · 05/06/2017 13:02

We have a parkour/freerunning gym near us that our 7 year old loves but I imagine they're quite rare. Some leisure centres offer classes though. Or how about something like circus skills as that's got elements of gymnastics but is a bit "cooler".

CinderellasBroom · 05/06/2017 13:08

You said she wasn't up for ballet, but would jazz, contemporary or street dance be more acceptable to her and allow her to access the acro class?

If not, think about Cubs as well as Brownies / Guides - my dd loves it and it's much more physical than the local Brownies group (lots of wide games, football etc).

NannyR · 05/06/2017 13:10

Park run would be a good idea and you could do it as a family. You run at your own pace but you get your time recorded and a place on the finishing board, so you can work towards a goal of bettering your time.

Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 17:24

Park Run would be ideal but clashes with orchestra... It's not even worth the discussion (she's very dedicated to music). We do have a Great Run Local that I do sometimes so might try that idea.

Hates the thought of any sort of dance she says but street dance might be worth a look. She's not girly at all and one of the reasons she quit ballet was the whole tutu issue.

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Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 17:25

Oh and what's parkour? I see it mentioned and have no idea!

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Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 17:26

Rookie lifeguarding definitely 13 here. Funny how it varies!

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Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 17:28

Goodness I'd forgotten girls can join cubs/scouts!

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CinderellasBroom · 05/06/2017 19:54

Everyone No ballet class (and I've been to a lot, both dds dance) has ever required a tutu, though dd1 lives in hope. It's leotards and tights for 9yos, for ballet / modern / jazz / tap. They save the skirts for littlies who need something to do with their hands that keeps them somewhere near the correct position. I suspect street dance is more leggings and a top, but I don't know for certain.

And I would highly recommend Cubs / Scouts - though its worth looking at a few local groups (if you have a few) as different groups have very different activities / focus / approach.

Cagliostro · 05/06/2017 20:07

One of DD's dance schools runs street dance lessons and they wear black trackies and t-shirts :)

Parkour is also called free running - you may have seen videos of people running along buildings, jumping off railings and that sort of thing. Some places have specially built training equipment (like concrete blocks of varying heights, railings etc). It's awesome :o I'm hoping DD can join a freestyle class at some point.

Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 20:10

Parkour sounds terrifying! Dd might like it though Grin.

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Cagliostro · 05/06/2017 20:15

It's ok, it'll be near to the ground :o

In a way I think parkour comes naturally to kids - it's the whole running along garden walls and swinging off railings thing that kids seem to be drawn to (it's not just mine right?!) - this just means they get to carry on with it and turn it into a real skill.

Booph · 05/06/2017 20:29

Yeah I would highly recommend, the kids burn off a lot of energy (but do tend to fall over and off things during most classes Grin) they do family sessions at my gym too, for 3+

mpora.com/parkour/parkour-classes-where-you-can-learn-in-the-uk#x5OKboEuj8o2sXbS.97

Madcats · 05/06/2017 20:55

They have just started doing 2km Junior park runs near me (so these all seem to be at 9am on a Sunday locally, rather than a Saturday). Some of the older kids are clearly trying to better their times each week (I'll put DD(9) and some of her friends into that category), but the rest of the kids seem to be quite happy sauntering round. Plus side is that it is done and dusted within 30 minutes.

What about tennis lessons? Or girl's cricket? I didn't spot how old your DD was, but would she enjoy sailing/kayaking? I have no idea how to get started (in process of getting DD a bike for triathlons), but cyclo-cross seems to be popular in some parts of the country.

There used to be Girl's/Boy's brigade and Sea Scouts in my day.

Everyoneafter3 · 05/06/2017 21:25

I think she'd be good at tennis - good thought.

Definitely curious about parkour!

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Madcats · 06/06/2017 06:47

One of our local trampolining parks teaches parkour. DiD and friends all seemed to enjoy it when they all tried it on an INSET day.

Some kids also do Crossfit round here (mostly because their parents do).

smellyboot · 24/06/2017 18:39

Football. Girls football, not boys football. Not mixed football. The dynamics of girls football are totally different as is the culture.
Find a local girls club or wildcats centre. Always really welcoming to new girls. Clubs dont care about ability generally but want girls to play.

MissWimpyDimple · 24/06/2017 18:54

DD loves climbing and bouldering. Very active and goal orientated without being too pressurised.

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