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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

What activities do your boys do?

38 replies

raindances · 18/02/2023 11:45

DS is 4.5 and is keen to start some clubs.

He is on the waiting list for swimming.

He loves music and dancing. I'm not sure he'd be ready to start and instrument at this age though? Perhaps I'm underestimating him.

What do your boys do?!

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 18/02/2023 11:46

He did swimming and football but now does football a couple of times a week and guitar, one lesson at school and an evening one elsewhere. That’s enough for him (and us!), he’s 11.

ÉireannachÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ · 18/02/2023 11:47

Guitar and athletics

YesitsBess · 18/02/2023 12:07

He's 14 now and has trimmed down his hobbies but we have had:

Judo
Street dance
Rugby
Football
Ice skating
Violin
Gymnastics
Drums
Bass guitar
Golf
Fishing
Athletics
Cricket
French lessons
Spanish lessons
Maths club
And probably many more over the years that I've forgotten!

He still plays his instruments bar violin, plays/trains at Rugby every weekend, regrets giving up gymnastics, plays cricket in the summer, has no real opinion on golf, is still hopeless at maths and his Spanish moves along at a glacial pace...

We may do riding lessons this year just so he has that skill. Also tennis.

I've always tried to do a broad mix and never insist he sticks at something if he's clearly not enjoying it (except maths!). He's allowed one "A&E" sport at a time, so he chose rugby over ice hockey (thank god).

At 4.5 I would say gymnastics if your son likes a run about, mine loved flying over the box from the springboard as he had no fear at that age! Personally with swimming I went for water safety at that age: enough locomotion to swim to the edge of a body of water and techniques to pull themselves out of said water as opposed to actual lessons until he was 7, he then got really excited chasing fish whilst wearing a snorkel on holiday and essentially taught himself.

thirdfiddle · 18/02/2023 13:13

At school or preschool? Options usually open up when they start school. But given what you've said, I'd look into local options like dance, drama, music groups (bit young for 'serious' children's choirs but there's often some kind of music group that tides over between preschool classes and joining a choir at 7ish). Find a few options then discuss with DS what he'd like to try. I'd add one at a time and see if he's still wanting more after a term or two.

Instrument wise if you think that's something that might appeal at some stage, maybe listen to and watch different instruments and see if there's something particular he fancies. Depending on the instrument and local teachers it might be he could start soon or better to wait a few years. Piano and strings seem to be most common for young starting. But also only if you have good local teachers who like that age group, teaching 4 yr olds is different from teaching 8 yr olds.

Popular things in DC's classes were swimming, beavers at whatever age that starts, team sports (football/rugby/cricket), music, drama, kung fu

thirdfiddle · 18/02/2023 13:14

Oh yes, and gymnastics! DS isn't a team sports fan, but enjoyed gym for several years. Now just swimming and lots of music (he's 13).

EsmeeMerlin · 18/02/2023 13:27

My 9 year old does a guitar lesson, cubs and two different youth clubs. He also does a sports club at school, a different one each term usually. Monday he will start dodgeball. He also did a weekly swimming lesson but stopped when we moved and he now attends a school that has a swimming pool and he does swimming lessons as part of pe.

My nearly 5 year old doesn't do anything but has mild additional needs and is very much into being at home with just his family.

Paturday · 18/02/2023 13:29

At 4 DS2 started Stagecoach and bloooooody loves it! He’s 5.5 now and got a big part in the show they’re working on now #proud ☺️ Also does swimming.

At 4 DS1 started ice skating and did it for a couple of years, he’s very good but not commited.

Hes also tried tennis and currently does football. Has finished swimming.

Mumlifedc · 18/02/2023 13:36

My son started dance at 2:5yrs old, he now 8 and does six dance classes a week( more than one style of dance on some days) plus swimming, cubs and Jujitsu.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 18/02/2023 13:37

Judo. Swimming when younger.

yoshiblue · 18/02/2023 13:39

Tennis
Karate
Violin (just started age 9)
Swimming
Bouldering ad hoc

JassyRadlett · 18/02/2023 13:44

I have two boys, now 11 and 7.

Swimming has always been our non-negotiable and they both still do it, 11 year old started very slowly and hesitantly but is now reasonably good and loves it. DS2 is still at the learning stage but making progress. Both have lessons once a week.

One does music and the other guitar, both do Stagecoach - youngest started it in early stages (4-6 year olds I think?) and elder joined age 9 and it's been amazing for him, brought him out of a lot of his shyness. Both get a lot out of it.

Elder does football (training + match), younger does a language club at school, chess and drama clubs. Elder used to do gymnastics but has ditched it. He started ukulele in Reception but I don't think he was ready for it, plus didn't do well in a group session which is what was on offer.

Newuser82 · 18/02/2023 13:58

My nine year old rides, goes to drama, does piano and swimming. My 4 year old is starting riding, has just started piano lessons and does a little football class which he enjoys. My nine year old has tried loads of things. I think it's important to give them lots of options so they can pick the ones that fits them best.

mamaduckbone · 18/02/2023 14:04

At that age both of my ds started Beavers which then led onto cubs. They had lots of great experiences.
They both swam.
That was it when they were really little.

Later...football/rugby/basketball, guitar/drum lessons, whatever after school clubs were on offer (gardening/art etc)

sanityisamyth · 18/02/2023 14:13

DS9:
Tennis
Cubs
Swimming
Scuba diving
Choir
Cricket
Ice skating
Shooting
Horse riding

UsingChangeofName · 18/02/2023 14:47

At that age, just swimming.
We also went to Church as a family, so I don't know if you'd count the 'unior Church Groups' as a club ?

From 6 Beavers (then later, Cubs, Scouts, and then Explorers)
From 7, mine started to learn piano
When older, did football and did drama.
Did lots of activities through Scouts too.

But 4.5 is a bit little for lots of extra curricular stuff.

afty · 18/02/2023 14:50

www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/

Squirrels take on 4-6 year olds in scouting. Both my DCs have gone from beavers to cubs and one is about to transition to scouts. It's the cheapest club they do (out of many!) but the one I think they get the most out of

PuttingDownRoots · 18/02/2023 14:50

Look at All Stars cricket if you are in England... its an 8 week cricket course for 4-8yos each summer. They get equipment as well.

Tallulasdancingshoes · 18/02/2023 15:03

Ds is 10 now but has been doing football, rugby and cricket for a long time. He also did swimming lessons when younger. Maybe just try and introduce one thing. All stars cricket is good in the summer, starts around April. Or maybe tag rugby? Although the rugby season ends in April so not long left now.

lorisparkle · 18/02/2023 15:14

All my ds have done Beavers/cubs/scouts/explorers - they offer squirrels now for the youngest age. It is a good all round club and great for experiencing staying away from home and meeting different people.

They did not start music lessons until about 6/7 years

They have done....

Football
Rugby
Cyclocross
Triathlon
Swimming
Cricket
Chess

They have also tried loads of different activities through scouting (climbing, squash, golf, skiing etc) and loads of clubs through school (rounders, tennis, basketball).

I try and follow their lead. Ds3 was doing 3 sports plus 2 instruments and scouts at one point but that was his choice and he enjoyed being busy. He has now cut down .

kimchifix · 18/02/2023 15:21

Tennis
Rugby (tag rugby!)
Football
Swimming

At about 5ish DS2 did boys street dance & tap (at school, after school) Had to give those up when we moved school.
Cricket from 6/7yrs - summer only.

DD started piano about Y1 at school / DS1 violin but that may have been a bit later maybe Y2.

I think a couple of after school clubs, or music lessons, swimming (essential skill imo) and one other sport at the weekend is more than enough. With 3 DC we've been run ragged getting to all the activities over the years, so bear in mind your own needs & down time as a family too. I'd try and see what is on that is very local to you to minimise travel time. Is there a tennis club/ kids tennis on public courts nearby- mine always really enjoyed that.

Holiday clubs are a good opportunity to try lots of different activities like drama / art/ sports too.

blondie87 · 18/02/2023 15:26

I have three boys, and between them they have done:
-karate
-swimming
-piano
-football
-Beavers
-Gardening

cptartapp · 18/02/2023 15:28

Mine are older now but both played football from 5-18. Also did refereeing for a couple of years.
Swimming.
Beavers, cubs and then Scouts (the best experiences)
DS2 also did cricket for four years.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 18/02/2023 15:29

I’ve also got 3 boys and between them they do:

karate
athletics
rugby
swimming
beavers / cubs

all 3 of them do swimming (the one non-negotiable extra curricular activity!) and all 3 of them do rugby. The rest is spread out between the 3!

BlueberryBuffin · 18/02/2023 15:30

Swimming
Dance
Karate
Soccer
Age 5

We would enroll him in keyboard but none available locally atm

Shayisgreat · 18/02/2023 15:44

My ds is 4.5 and does gymnastics, tennis, and swimming. I think it's too early for an instrument still but probably when he is 6 he'll start piano.