I am a mom to five children who are always looking for “stuff” to do. Our time after school is now chock full of places we need to be, but it took a bit of trial and error to figure out which extracurricular activities were for us.

When my kids were younger, they played T-ball, soccer, and softball, but we quickly learned that while they are active kids, they’re not “sports people.” We spent a few years simply not doing any after-school extracurriculars — if my kids weren’t into sports, what other activities would be available to them?

Well, after a bit of research I found some amazing options for the less sports oriented. Try some of these recommendations this school year, or use them to spark new ideas to enrich your not-sports-savvy kid!

Karate

I never thought my children would become passionate about an after-school activity. But here we are, a fully enthused karate family! My 15-year-old just passed his black belt test after studying the art for eight years, and my 10-year-old will be testing for her blue belt soon. Karate is amazing for so many reasons, and it has given my athletic kids a non-sport activity to enjoy. Our dojo, the Academy of Traditional Karate, is among the best for Okinawan karate!

Scouts

Girl Scouts is something I truly enjoy as an adult leader. My daughters both enjoy scouting for various reasons — the ability to enjoy time with friends while building skills that motivate them is a mother’s dream! Scouting is child led and built around their interests, abilities, and knowledge. In conjunction with adult-led activities, it is the best way to be exposed to a variety of topics. Although my boys were not scouts, I know that all types of scouting come with great communities!

Theater arts

I am really lucky to live in Stoneham, home to the Greater Boston Stage Company. They offer an amazing summer program, The Young Company, for children to learn about theater, including putting on their very own performance on stage! Kidstock in Winchester also offers some great programming. They have options for the school year in addition to the summer — perfect for children who do not have access to theater enrichment in the school setting. The children learn so much while putting on a great show!

Music

There are so many options for the musically motivated. Instrument lessons are not like they used to be! Children are not only learning drills and notes — they’re motivated to play songs they hear on the radio. Piano, guitar, and violin lessons are plentiful in our area. Voice lessons can also be found in most cities and towns. My children attend All That Music Academy, which is home to a few teachers who also study at Berklee!

Non-competition sports

We stumbled upon an archery class our local Boys & Girls Club was hosting last fall. My 10-year-old loved every second. Although technically a sport, it is not a typical team sport with games and competitions, which I think lines up better with my children’s abilities and interests. Our local recreation club also facilitated a rock climbing session for children — a great option for athletic but not sporty kids. When you need some inspiration for new activities for your children, be sure to check out your local Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and any town rec programs in your area.

Farms and forests

Spending time outdoors is just what many kids need after a long day at school! There are a number of local farms and nature preserves that offer after-school programs for school-age kids. Whether your kiddos want to spend time playing in the woods, gardening, or feeding animals, there’s a place for them in the great outdoors!

STEM and gaming

From chess clubs to coding workshops to Lego robotics teams, there are seemingly endless options for the kids who want to keep their minds active after school! Centers like Einstein’s Workshop in Burlington or Code Wiz in Needham, Westborough, Westford, Quincy, and Reading have a variety of very cool classes, and many local school districts or parks and recs departments have after-school classes or clubs to learn new STEM skills or have fun with building and tinkering projects. Even local libraries feature regular Lego groups or chess or board game meetups!

This article was originally published in 2023 and was updated in 2024.