Which clubs would you say have been the most worthwhile?

[Magnificentbeast]

I'm thinking about clubs for my 5yo and would like to know which ones other parents find to be the most worthwhile for their DC. I mean in terms of enjoyment, confidence, skills etc.

Swimming is non-negotiable for me - my DC have to learn to swim. However, I think it would be good to include her in something else. I just can't decide what. I also want to be selective and not overload her with activities.

Rugby - DS (13) is not very good at all but it has taught him the value of perseverance and teamwork and he has made many friends.
DS (9) has found something he is naturally good at an enjoys plus ditto as above.

Another one recommending Scouts etc. If the group is popular I would check whether there is a waiting list and get your name down if there is.

Church choir from age 6. It's not just free, the children actually get paid!! It's a good musical education, and can lead on to other things.

Surely it's about what they enjoy? My three have so far done quite different activities. Ds1(13) does Rookie lifeguards, triathlon, air cadets and guitar. Ds2 (9) does cricket, guitar and computer coding. Dd (5) does swimming, Rainbows and dance. Their primary school are pretty good at letting them try different things - DS2 was playing kabaddi for the school today (I had to google what it was)

Dance & drama for my two (both now want to make it their career). Swimming was a disaster for ds, he couldn't cope with the pool environment.

Ds tried football but found it was very competitive in that unless you wer good enough for the team, clubs wern't interested.

Mine loves her ballet class. She's only 5 but the teachers are lovely, kind ladies and there's no pressure. I've heard horror stories about other ballet schools.

She also does swimming but I'd like to introduce something else, maybe football (local club does training for kids on Saturday mornings) or a martial art. She would much prefer a group activity than something one to one like music lessons.

My dd is now 12. I would say rainbows/brownies/ guides particularly. She is now a guide and helps at brownies. Also her dance ( balket, jazz, tap)

Cubs and scouts without a doubt. They've both got their Gold award and now left, but have great memories over the years. Most importantly, of learning to go away without us for days at a time and do fantastic activities. D of E at high school was a breeze!
They've done swimming,cricket, football etc too, but so so glad they stuck with scouts to the end.

Scouts and explorer scouts has been fantastic . There is something for everyone at scouts- all sorts of skills . They get to try out lots of activities but also take on responsibilities.
The opportunities, friends , confidence and life skills learnt there have massively informed the journey into adulthood for my dc.

Bit more specific .. but a Musical instrument to a good standard means that they can always join a group when they are an adult too. It’s like you’ve banked a skill which means you’ve got an in to making friends in any new area or situation.
I’ve only just realised the value of this one
Dc recently started in a new place for A levels and said that part of the reason they weren’t so nervous is that they knew they could join orchestra /ensembles and would soon feel part of everything

I thoroughly recommend Spanish House London's Montessori Spanish lessons for kids between 4 and 7 yrs old. Sessions are held on Sunday mornings in Clapham North Art Centre. I've been taking my 5 yr old child since October and he's loving them. He's picking up Spanish in a fun way!

I agree with Johnathonripples about the lasting value of music. I have 2 older Dc at uni not reading music, one plays in one group once a week, the other plays in multiple groups and attends many social events. Ready made group with lots in common. This probably applies to many of the societies but I hadn't thought about it in connection with the brass and piano lessons until older DC went!

Older DC got a lot out of scouts, youngest not so much after Cubs.

My youngest turned out to be a Cathedral chorister which I would never have imagined any of mine doing (non-musical parents) but has been an amazing experience. I htink you have to keep an open mind.

Music lessons then Saturday morning orchestra, dd is now the leader at her university orchestra.

Music here. Confidence, discipline and sheer joy. Both dc enjoy a vast range of activities. Dc1 is particularly talented (genuinely - not just a proud mum boast - grade 7/8 at just turned 12).

They’ve both tried gymnastics/dance but it’s music that keeps them going.

Another vote for Beavers/Cubs/Scouts. My shy DD has realised there is stuff she excels at (practical skills). The over confident DD likes teaching others what she knows (and she's only 6.).

Mine aren’t school age yet but myworry is about fitting everything in. Swimming is non negotiable for me and I think my daughter will want to do more than I can possibly commit to. I’m really disappointed that her primary doesn’t really offer music tuition in school which is such a shame. It also feels like something I’ll have to build in time for as it bought me such a lot of joy despite being very mediocre.

I did dance and music but my parents weren’t pushy enough for me to get good really. I wish I had carried on my instruments to get to a better standard. I still love playing the piano but I can only play a few things that I had memorised at 13 and can still do. I wish my parents had taken me to a sport that I could do at a casual level as an adult.

Tbh i feel quite sad thatscouts etc is so recomended. It is ridiculous around here and dc will be unlikely to get in. So could go to another town (20min trip) but would have no classmates and could really do with building friendships. It is the same for rainbows etc.
In fact dc2 has already been on that list about 2y but they were still saying somehow they may not get in.
I think the worst is that if you dont get into each stage you then cant get into the next.

Drama (as a PP said, just acting) is an activity she still loves, along with dance (ballet, tap and modern). She also plays a musical instrument.

For us swimming is also non-negotiable.

DS1 has a weekly drumming lesson. It's something he wanted to do so we went with it. He's stuck at it and is bloody good now (he's 8). DS2 wanted guitar lessons. But lasted 3 lessons. See also karate and gymnastics. He's now got a reputation as a starter in our house. He's 6. He is showing an interest in his guitar again through so we might try lessons again. Music lessons require commitment in order to progress so it teaches them that and they then have the reward of constantly improving. Not to mention the skill of playing an instrument and being able to read music.

DS1 tried Beavers, but it wasn't for him. I think it would be right up DS2s street but you can't get into the packs anywhere near me. DS1 only got into that one as it was brand new.

Both boys have recently taken up rugby and are loving that. It suits them. It's physical, it's outdoors. It also teaches them to work as a team, and how to manage frustrations when things don't go the way they want them to (such as a teammate not passing to them).

DS1 also does ad-hoc climbing and bouldering and is working through the Redpoint Climbing Scheme, meaning he builds on his skills every time he goes. He only does ad-hoc as our favourite climbing centre is near my MIL, so he does it when we visit her. If it was closer I think he'd be there much more regularly.

In terms of an unstructured hobby, DS1 is also a keen scooter rider and skateboarder. He will spend hours at local skate parks honing his skills. Often older children at the indoor (paid) one we go to will give him tips and advise him. There's a sense of community there. It's not a club, but regular visits are needed to allow him to work on those skills.

As you can tell, DS1 is my super physical one. DS2 is equally as happy with a colouring book or some action figures.

The best thing is to let your child lead. If it's not something they are interested in, it will become a battle to get them there every week, and you then become resentful because of the money you've spent.

Swimming!! My eldest 2 stopped at aged 10 and 11 but was so worth it! This summer they were able to swim unsupervised leaving us to entertain the 6 year old. She has been in lessons since she was 3.

Also my middle girl likes to sail and they all like to swim in the sea. They wear bouyancy aids but being able to swim strongly gives me peace of mind.

It also builds strength, stamina and resilience.

Other than that they're all in girlguiding. They have no choice as I'm a leader.

Their other hobbies are all individual to then and their interests. Climbing, bowling, dancing, trombone!

As with you swimming was non negotiable.

I have a DD now nearly 8. But she has done dance since she was 3 and has carried that on and does ballet tap and modern.

She was never very outdoorsie, adventurous and stayed away from anything overly physical. But she started Beavers at 5 and 3/4 and has loved it and looking forward to going to cubs next year.

She has been asking about drum Lessons. I think learning an Instrument would be fab and would definitely compliment her dancing but time and money is making me say no.

Brownies. So maybe Rainbows for your dd?

For dd it was drama. She loved it. Really helped her confidence in many ways.

Next week is an end of an era for her - her last drama class with the same company. She joined at 5/6 and she's now 17y. She's finishing as she won't have the time next term due to a levels (including a level drama) She joined the company in their first year of running too and the only one of their first class still going.

I think that all children should have a sport, for me that's non-negotiable. My DC know that if they want to give up their sport they have to come to me with another that they plan to take up. It's all about finding one they enjoy. DD has been doing gymnastics for 5 years now and she's amazingly strong, fit and disciplined for her age. Some of her best friends are from her gym class.

Climbing/bouldering.
Scouts etc
Athletics
Kayaking.

For mine the best were (in no particular order)

• rugby for teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, acceptance of all, resilience, courage and getting up and playing on.
• French as it’s been useful ever since and set them up with an ability to speak another language quite fluently
• swimming well and lifesaving , as I believe it’s an essential life skill
• tennis because it’s a lifelong social activity and great fitness. Very easy way to make friends when you move.
• Music teaching persistence, rewards effort, adds to mathematical ability and offers range of opportunities.
• drama because it taught confidence when performing in public, interviews, social skills, observation skills
• sailing because it gave adrenaline activity and risk without , drugs or excess alcohol
• Ballet and dance because it taught determination, persistence a value of perfection. It fitted with musical learning and provided good exercise, fun, graceful deportment.

We did beavers, brownies and cubs were were seriously unimpressed.