Clubs or activities after preschool

[Simic]

DS (5) is in preschool and will start school in the autumn. She is at preschool until just after lunch and then spends the afternoons with me and ds (2).
A lot of her friends do ballet once a week, or gym club or pottery, swimming or piano lessons - many do more than one.
We used to do a dancing class one afternoon a week but dd didn't like having to go, week in week out. So we gave it up and now we just play - outside at the playgrounds or in the woods as much as I can. We also have one playdate a week.
I can see arguments for and against trying to start an activity again. I would like her to learn to swim, for example. And I hope she's not missing out by just spending all her time in free play, when she might really enjoy some of the activities.
On the other hand, I am a great believer in the benefits of free play (particularly messing round in the mud in the woods using sticks as fishing rods or whatever else they need to be at that minute!). I don't like marshalling her around to scheduled activities - and I don't want to make something which should be enjoyable into a chore (this was why we stopped going to dancing).
Does any one have any advice for me on this? Should I make a point of going to a regular activity?

I wouldn't worry, if she is not happy doing them it doesn't help either of you to MAKE her do it.

Plenty of time to pick up hobbies once she starts school and her new friends do them too.

She will also get lots of opportunities to try something new once in school too.

We are in school for a v large part of our lives, play while the sun shines I say

Depends on your child, I think.

My eldest was not keen on any organised activity. Nursery was quite enough for him, and he was quite nervous about the thought of anything else, so I left it.

In Reception, he started swimming lessons (that's another story!), and in Year 1 he actually asked to do sportsclubs, tennis, music, science etc through the school.

His younger brother, on the other hand, was begging for swimming lessons from the age of two. Swimming with Mummy was not enough - he wanted to be in the Red Hat group. He started at three.

I have a friend who has a daughter who is extremely motivated regarding clubs - swimming, gym, dance, horse riding, from the age of thre. But, again, it was the child who was asking.

Thanks! That makes me feel better! I really want to keep out of the whole "my child is better than yours, my child has more opportunities than yours" mire. But, then sometimes I have a pang of guilt! :)

Ricky mummy gives some good advice.

My DDs (7 and 4) both do two hobbies - dancing and gymnastics. They both enjoy this hobby and want to go. But, if ever they want to stop I am happy for them to do so.

I'd ask your child if there is anything he wants to do - if he does, and you can, then let him go, if not don't. Its really that simple - what other people do or don't do is blissfully irrelevant.

And remember, its not a dichotomy - one after school activity a week will not stop lots of free play - there are another 4 after schools and the weekend too!