After school club activities
Teachers not only have to think about lessons and planning for them but also need to consider activities for after school clubs. Many children might need to stay at school for an hour or so until a parent or guardian can pick them up. Other children may want to take part in a different activity that they can’t do in school. Providing a range of after school clubs entertains pupils who have to stay behind and gives an opportunity to those who want to do extra activities.
But what clubs and activities could you do for your pupils? There is a plethora of different clubs you could form to cater for all different interests. To help you decide what clubs you can create we have provided a list of after school club activities.
Sports
Although sports are sticking with the more traditional clubs that have been put on after school for years, they are extremely popular. There are many different types of sports after school clubs you can offer. Sports such as football, netball, cricket, swimming and dodgeball are all classics that children love. For something a little different to offer pupils, you could create a dance club or yoga club.
As there are various sports to choose from, it could be easier to have a sports club and hold different sports every day. This way, you avoid having too many after school club activities.
Crafts
Crafting is something your pupils get to enjoy occasionally in class. However, why not offer it as a after school activity so that children can enjoy crafting more. Mix the crafting club up by doing various crafts each session for different capabilities. You can research different crafts or try your hand at some of our fun crafts to do in the club. Make sure you have plenty of craft materials especially felt pens, colouring pencils, paper and glue, as these get used up quickly.
Eco
A focus on the environment and being more eco-friendly is on the rise and is vital to instil into children to make a positive change. What better way to get children involved in changing the environment than to create an eco-club? This club could focus on how the school can make changes to reduce waste and energy to help save the environment.
You could offer incentives such as badges or stickers for every positive deed or suggestion a pupil makes. They can wear these with pride and show everyone. Pupils can also work together using critical thinking skills to come up with solutions. Make these solutions happen when you have all come up with a plan. Children will feel proud of themselves and enjoy making positive changes whilst learning how to protect the world.
Gardening
Another way to bring in a positive environment change is through gardening. This activity is great for the spring and summer months. You can plant trees and flowers in the school garden or teach children composting. This after school club is perfect for linking with biology; you can talk through how plants grow or their reproductive systems whilst planting.
Science
Allow your pupils to delve into the magic of science by creating a science club. This after school activity is the perfect opportunity to do fun experiments that children don’t get to do during school hours. There are plenty of fun and messy experiments that pupils will love that you can do with them. Experiments such as making rockets and shooting them into the sky or creating slime.
Drama
After school club activities are all about socialising, having fun and exploring areas that children don’t often do in school time. Drama is the perfect opportunity for pupils to socialise with each other. Plus, they don’t get the chance often to explore drama properly. Offer costumes and props to let children get into characters and delve into their imagination. During this after school club, allow pupils to have freedom and act out what they like with little guidance such as a prompt. This will make the club enjoyable for them and can give them a chance to socialise more.
Coding
Coding is an integral part of the curriculum to prepare children for future jobs. Due to this, offering a coding club could be very beneficial for your pupils. You can cover the basics for a deeper understanding of what coding is. This can be done through using a coding robot that children can play with. For the children who have a passion for coding, you could offer harder tasks such as animation on scratch.
Choir/band
Music and singing can bring joy to children as well as an opportunity to learn a new skill. Offer choir and band activities after school for pupils to get together and practise singing or playing instruments. Bring them both together so the choir can sing to the band and everyone can interact with each other. It’s a great chance for everyone to form friendships and express themselves through music together.
Photography
Give pupils a chance to explore skills that they can’t do within lessons. Photography is one of these activities that children can have the chance to try as an after-school club activity. Let your pupils learn how to take good pictures and how to edit them. You could bring in a professional photographer to assist with this. To make it fun, allow them to be as creative as they like and take pictures of various items. Head outdoors and explore wildlife through the lens too.
Voice of pupils committee
Create a school government as part of an after-school activity. Making a space for children to be the voice of their peers is very beneficial. Children can express their concerns confidently to designated pupils on the committee to make the classroom an inclusive, safe space. For children being a part of the committee, it is a very rewarding experience and a chance to make positive changes. Plus, their voice and opinions can be heard and taken seriously. They can also work together and come up with solutions which are key skills to develop for their futures.
There are a variety of after school club activities that you can offer pupils to broaden their knowledge and skills. Try some of our examples out to offer children something different to learn and enjoy. These activities can entertain pupils and give them new interests or hobbies. Plus, they can try things they usually wouldn’t and explore avenues that they may choose as a career. After school clubs are a great place for children to socialise with each other and make new friends too.
Need some help with entertaining children when school is over? Read our ‘after school activities’ blog.
