10 Intriguing After School Club Ideas You Can Start In 2023 (2023)

Curacubby Team

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January 2, 2023

10 Intriguing After School Club Ideas You Can Start In 2023 (1)

Nothing enhances the school experience like extracurricular programs. It’s the best opportunity most kids have for social and emotional development without the pressures of an academic setting. As a result, kids become more connected to their school and their community. In fact, studies have shown that participation in after school clubs greatly improves both students’ attendance and academic performance.

For most parents, getting their children involved in extracurriculars is a no-brainer. But when it comes to choosing a particular club, finding the perfect fit can be somewhat challenging. That’s why the best schools and recreational programs offer a range of clubs that cover a wide variety of interests, schedules and budgetary restraints.

10 Intriguing After School Club Ideas You Can Start In 2023 (2)

Top 10 Best After School Club Ideas

This guide lists ten of the most popular after school club ideas of the decade, complete with tips on customizing them for any given budget or age group. From origami to robotics, these are the most intriguing extracurricular program ideas of 2023.

#10 - Gardening Club

Gardening is one of the most time-tested after school programs out there. It works so well primarily because it allows kids to literally see the fruit of their labor. Students learn to work with their hands and witness how food is grown in real time.

Kids of all ages enjoy gardening, but not all plants can thrive without professional care. On top of that, some fruits and veggie varieties require specialty fertilizers that can cost a fortune. It’s best to choose hardy, versatile crops such as:

  • Bell Peppers
  • Raspberries, Blackberries & Strawberries
  • Squash & Zucchini
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Lettuce

#9 - Photography Club

According to a 2019 study, over 85% of children will own a smartphone by the age of 12. Kids already love taking pictures, so photography clubs are bound to be in high demand. The best part is since most students carry a camera in their pockets anyway, this club won’t require a large budget.

Another advantage of photography is the almost limitless amount of activities, projects and events that can be organized around it. To get you started, here are the three most popular choices:

  1. Photo Walk

    A photo walk is a tried-and-true icebreaker for a newly formed photography club. Kids are given a starting point, a “finish line” and a maximum number of pictures to take. Everyone works at their own pace, and the group ends up with dozens of unique perspectives to compare.

  2. Weekly/Monthly Challenge
    Weekly challenges are made up of a list of subjects to “shoot”. Each student works to photograph everything on the list, then presents their collection to the group at the end of the week. The trick is to choose common yet vague targets, so students ultimately have the discretion to be creative. For example, instead of “a red bird” or “a tall house”, choose subjects like “a happy bird” or “a spooky house”.

  3. Team Competitions

    Break the students up into groups of 3-5 and assign each group the same task. Here, the idea is to set high expectations and see who can get closest to completing the task. One common competition for city-dwellers is to photograph every subway station. For rural folk, the stations can be replaced by main streets or tree species.

#8 - Mixed Sports

In American sports, there is no replacing the big three - basketball, football and baseball. But when it comes to after school club activities, ideas shouldn’t be limited to highly competitive sports. Instead, it’s best to choose a mix of alternative sports that help develop kids’ athleticism as well as their collaboration skills.

If you’re on a budget, try these all-time favorites:

  • Hacky sack

  • Badminton

  • Ultimate Frisbee

  • Yoga

  • Disc Golf

If spending is not an issue, wow kids and parents alike with these exotic options:

  • Archery
  • Horseback Riding
  • Fencing
  • Golf/Mini-golf

#7 - Origami Club

Although origami is an art form that goes back over a thousand years, scientists only recently discovered why it remains so popular all around the globe. It turns out that the process of creating shapes using your hands engages both sides of the brain. So in addition to improving their motor skills, origami strongly stimulates students’ reasoning and increases their attention spans.

Parents never fail to be impressed when their child folds them a rose out of a napkin. And kids are bound to be intrigued by the legend of 1,000 cranes.

#6 Coding Club

Parents who are looking for extracurriculars with tangible real-world value are increasingly flocking to coding clubs. With the programming profession now regarded as highly as law or medicine, sending your kids to a coding club might be the best decision you make for their future.

Kids of all ages are increasingly tech-savvy and interested in the digital world. Younger students can learn a lot from coding “games” that teach kids to program in a video-game environment. Teenagers are best engaged by projects they can show off, such as creating a functional website, designing a simple game in JavaScript, or creating a random number generator.

#5 - Dance Off Club

The numbers are in and TikTok is clearly the most popular app among both children and teens. Even without the structure of an after school club, kids are grouping together to film clips of their best dance moves.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a parent who doesn’t wish their child had a creative outlet they’re excited about. So it’s no wonder that schools all around the country have been riding this wave of dance trends, capitalizing on the opportunity for social, emotional and physical development.

#4 - Robotics Club

Though it’s among the most expensive hobbies out there, robotics club can be so much more rewarding than the rest. Children eagerly learn the basics of engineering and programming knowing they get to build their very own DIY robots. It’s also the best club idea for socialization and teamwork skills, as the entire group will be involved in reaching a single goal.

There are two options for tackling the budgetary restraints most schools have to deal with. You can settle for cheaper projects, such as a leaping frog robot, which is mostly comprised of household items. Or you can go the extra mile to independently raise enough funds for proper equipment. And if fundraising sounds complex, let Curacubby make it simple by using our full-service Online Fundraising Portal.

#3 - TV Theme Club

While streaming is the new preferred way to enjoy TV shows, today’s youth follows more series than any other generation. And when they’re done binge-watching their favorite show, kids go on to discuss them online, join fan clubs, and even make costumes of their favorite characters.

Between Harry Potter, the Marvel Universe, and Stranger Things, there is no lack of age-appropriate themes to choose from. For best results, let the kids vote on the next theme and change it up every 2-3 weeks. That gives enough time for them to show off their trivia knowledge and cosplay chops; but not quite enough to get bored discussing the new season.

#2 - Debate Club

In today’s internet age, kids are more engaged with current events than ever before. Political awareness is the “new cool” and everyone wants to participate in the conversation. That’s why debate club has been making such a comeback over the past few years. Needless to say, parents are ecstatic about the idea and its educational benefits cannot be overstated.

Plus, a debate club can be run on the tightest budget. The only hurdle to creating a great program is finding a dedicated space for the most important debates of the year.

#1 - Board Game Club

Coming in at number one, it’s everyone’s favorite - board games. Chess club may not be the most exciting program, but playing a new game every week/month is too much fun for a kid to pass up.

Parents enjoy peace of mind knowing their children are developing cognitive, social and problem-solving skills. While their kids get to enjoy engaging games with their friends.

Pro-Tip: Dungeons & Dragons is making a serious comeback. Some simple pre-made campaigns and characters can go a long way to fulfilling Stranger Things-inspired fantasies. You can find both characters and campaigns online for free, so the entire budget will depend on how much you want to spend on dice and figurines.

In Conclusion

There may not be a perfect, one-size-fits-all after school club idea. But with the right mix of athletic, social and academic programs, you can intrigue every child at your school while impressing their parents.

For best results, choose at least 4-6 clubs and consider the mix as a whole. If you’re starting a Sports Club and a Gardening Club, make sure there’s enough outdoor space before adding Gardening Club to the list. Likewise, if you already have a few high-budget clubs, consider holding off on adding Robotics Club to the roster.

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FAQs

What are some good club ideas for middle school? ›

Middle School Clubs and Activities
  • Chess Club.
  • Coding.
  • Cooking Club.
  • Debate Club.
  • Game Club.
  • Geography Bee.
  • Math Olympiad.
  • Odyssey of the Mind.

What clubs do most schools have? ›

Common After-School Clubs:
  • Film Club.
  • Cooking Club.
  • Foreign Language Club.
  • Improv Club.
  • Future Medical Professional Club.
  • Soup Kitchen Club.
  • Photography Club.
  • Art History Club.

What is the best club in high school? ›

20 Great Clubs to Found at Your School
  • American Red Cross. ...
  • Amnesty International. ...
  • Days for Girls. ...
  • Envirothon. ...
  • Future Farmers of America (FFA) ...
  • Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) ...
  • Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) ...
  • Key Club.
Feb 5, 2019

What are examples of afterschool programs? ›

Typical program activities provided include soccer, drama, videography, poetry, coding, homework help, and arts and crafts activities. These activities are provided by content experts and lead to specific outcomes in terms of young people gaining specialized skills.

How can I make my after school program fun? ›

Our Favorite Indoor Activities
  1. Go Noodle. When it's rainy season and we don't have the opportunity to go outside with the kids, we are always trying to find new ways to keep the kids active while staying indoors. ...
  2. Cooking. ...
  3. Art Projects. ...
  4. Dance Battle. ...
  5. Puppet Show. ...
  6. Board Games/Card Games. ...
  7. Construction/Building Projects. ...
  8. Reading.

What are some cool club ideas? ›

Top 10 Best After School Club Ideas
  • #10 - Gardening Club. Gardening is one of the most time-tested after school programs out there. ...
  • #9 - Photography Club. ...
  • #8 - Mixed Sports. ...
  • #7 - Origami Club. ...
  • #6 Coding Club. ...
  • #5 - Dance Off Club. ...
  • #4 - Robotics Club. ...
  • #3 - TV Theme Club.
Jan 2, 2023

What are some good club ideas? ›

Need some inspiration?
  • African-American History Club.
  • Key Club or Charity Club.
  • Pi Club.
  • Anime Club.
  • Waffle Club.
  • Comic Book Club.
  • Magic Club.
  • Gaming Club.
Dec 1, 2022

What new ideas can you bring to the club? ›

Here are 10 engaging club event ideas your members will love:
  • Test Audience Imagination: AR/VR.
  • Artful Night Out.
  • Costume Party.
  • Halloween Cabin Fever.
  • Musical Night.
  • Grand Movie Night.
  • Book Club.
  • Laughter Yoga.
Apr 24, 2022

How do you make a club fun? ›

10 Tips for Engaging and Exciting Your Club Members
  1. 1) Keep Meetings Interesting. ...
  2. 3) Congratulate Successes. ...
  3. 4) Have Fun with Fellowship. ...
  4. 5) Help Members Create Their “Why” ...
  5. 6) Give Members Ownership. ...
  6. 7) Appoint or Elect a Member Engagement Chair. ...
  7. 8) Customize Club Communications.
Dec 20, 2019

What clubs are used the most? ›

According to most golfers, the putter, wedges, and driver, in that order, are the most used golf clubs. The putter is clearly the most used golf club and is used for roughly 53% of shots.

What are names of school clubs? ›

School Clubs
  • Clubs at a glance:
  • Film appreciation club. What happens in and around in the society is just a manifestation of what happens inside the world of individual human beings. ...
  • Photography club. A picture speaks a thousand words. ...
  • Art club. ...
  • Cookery club. ...
  • Quiz club. ...
  • Chess club. ...
  • Dramatics club.

What is the best club in USA? ›

Best Clubs in America
  • Avalon in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Beta Nightclub, Denver, Colorado.
  • Hakkasan in Las Vegas, NV.
  • STORY in Miami, FL.
  • XS in Las Vegas, NV.
  • LIV in Miami, FL.
  • Marquee Nightclub in Las Vegas, NV.
  • U Street Music Hall in Washington, D.C.
Feb 20, 2023

What are club activities? ›

The concept of Clubs is seen as an opportunity for adaptation to life in the group, forming good lifelong habits, and cultivating a voluntaristic spirit. Club activities supplement academics and give the students practical training which they require in day-to-day life.

What are after class activities? ›

Typical activities

Reading, including book discussion club. Sports, including soccer, baseball, scooter racing, hockey, swimming. Performing arts, including dance, drama, ballet, choir, and band. Creative arts, including painting, drawing, crafts.

What makes a quality afterschool program? ›

Provide an environment that helps young people develop positive relationships with peers. Give youth challenges they can rise to. Provide enriching, creative activities they can participate in. Give youth opportunities to develop leadership and decision-making skills.

What are the programs of out of school youth? ›

The Abot-Alam is a nationwide convergence program for out-of-school (OSY) youth ages 15-30 years old. The primary purpose of this program is to effectively address the needs of the fast growing numbers of Filipino youth who are not attending schools (i.e. dropped out and or never had schooling at all).

What are sensory activities for after school? ›

Heavy work activities, such as digging in the garden, pushing chairs, kneading bread dough, or raking leaves. Buy sensory toys to create a home sensory box, including sticky and stretchy animals, play dough, a water snake, hand therapy balls, sticky hands, and putty or slime.

Why is the after school activities? ›

Afterschool programs can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth.

What is creative learning activities? ›

Creative activities like drama, music, dance, art and craft are great for learning and development in these years. They can help preschoolers: develop imagination and creativity. build confidence.

What clubs do kids like? ›

Alternative hobby club ideas
  • Gardening Club. Gardening can be relaxing and fun for people of all ages, making it a great extracurricular activity idea for kids. ...
  • Photography Club. ...
  • Yoga Club. ...
  • Cheerleading Club. ...
  • Street Dance Club. ...
  • Film Club. ...
  • Debate Club. ...
  • Public Speaking Club.
Jan 4, 2022

What are creative clubs? ›

What is Creative Club? Creative Club is an educational organization committed to making learning come alive for students in elementary and middle schools through exciting programs, parties and camps focused on LEGO® bricks and robotics.

How do I make my school club stand out? ›

Some simple ways to do that are:
  1. Tag club members in pictures or videos so it shows up to their audience.
  2. Get other members to log into the account and record videos for Instagram stories.
  3. Create images that contain information or quotes.
  4. Use location tags to show where your club is (or any events you're running)

How do you attract people in a club? ›

Get Help from Current Members
  1. Host a “bring a friend” meeting. ...
  2. Reach out to former members. ...
  3. Encourage members to share your newsletter. ...
  4. Invite members' families to events. ...
  5. Help members develop an “elevator speech” about their membership. ...
  6. Ask your members for recruitment ideas. ...
  7. Offer club business cards to your members.
Aug 9, 2019

What is the most famous club? ›

OTHER EDITIONS
#CLUBCITY
1UshuaïaIbiza
2OmniaLas Vegas
3ZoukSingapore
4HakkasanLas Vegas
6 more rows

How do you attract students to join a club? ›

100 Ways to Recruit New Members
  1. Ask someone.
  2. Bring a guest to meetings.
  3. Advertise in newspapers & cable TV.
  4. Have a clear club goal & a strategic plan.
  5. Letters or personal contact with local businesses.
  6. Contact with Chamber of Commerce.
  7. Place customized bookmarks in library books.
  8. Have public meetings at malls, outdoors, etc.

How do you make a club popular? ›

6 unique and engaging promotion ideas to grow your nightclub...
  1. Make 'Karaoke Night' a recurring thing. ...
  2. Ramp up your social media presence. ...
  3. Carve out a dedicate VIP section. ...
  4. Turn any night into a theme night. ...
  5. Share your best menu items. ...
  6. Turn your space into an event space.
Apr 28, 2022

How do I make my club welcome? ›

10 Ways to make your club more inclusive (without spending a cent!)
  1. Appoint an inclusion officer. An inclusion officer is responsible for ensuring your club's commitment to inclusion is upheld everyday. ...
  2. Adapt and modify. ...
  3. Invite people. ...
  4. Partner up. ...
  5. Listen. ...
  6. Find a mentor. ...
  7. Put the person first. ...
  8. Focus on ability.
Dec 12, 2017

What is the most popular activity for kids? ›

The 15 Best Activities for Children to Help Them Learn Through...
  1. Sand. ...
  2. Water Play. ...
  3. Play Dough. ...
  4. Dress-Up and Role Play. ...
  5. Doll and Character Play. ...
  6. Drawing and Painting. ...
  7. Blocks, Jigsaws, and Shape Sorters. ...
  8. Music, Dancing, and Singing.

What activities do students do after school? ›

Reading, including book discussion club. Sports, including soccer, baseball, scooter racing, hockey, swimming. Performing arts, including dance, drama, ballet, choir, and band. Creative arts, including painting, drawing, crafts.

What do students often do after school? ›

High school students have a lot of options for what they can do once the school day ends: they can study, do homework, participate in a sport, watch TV, work at a job, play video games, attend a club meeting and more.

What are some of the most popular activities? ›

The most popular hobby/activity in the United States is cooking and baking, with 38 percent of respondents stating it's among their personal hobbies and activities. The displayed data shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in the United States in 2022.

What are good ideas for activities? ›

Activities for any Season
  • go for a walk or to a park in your neighbourhood and play Frisbee.
  • plan a family road trip and bring a soccer ball or baseball to use on the way or when you get there.
  • walk at night and look for stars.
  • go swimming indoors.
  • go bowling, skating, or to a museum.

What is the most exciting activity? ›

50 Best Adrenaline Activities for Thrillseekers
  • 1 – Ice cross karting. ...
  • 2 – Megavalanche bike racing. ...
  • 3 – Bobsleigh riding. ...
  • 4 – Heli-skiing. ...
  • 5 – Slacklining. ...
  • 6 – Ice climbing. ...
  • 7 – Bungee jumping. ...
  • 8 – Skydiving.
Sep 22, 2021

What are some fun ideas for kids? ›

100 Ways to Have Fun with Your Kids for Free or Cheap
  • Have a reading marathon.
  • Write stories together.
  • Play soccer.
  • Paint or draw together.
  • Create a fort in your living room out of blankets or cardboard boxes.
  • Go on a hike.
  • Have a sunset picnic at a park or beach.
  • Play board games.

What is an after school club? ›

These can provide care and play activities or additional supported study for your child after school has finished. Contact your child's school to see if they offer this provision. What hours do they open? Usually they open from the end of the school day and finish around 5.30pm or 6pm.

What are your after school hobbies? ›

Sport, drama, Scouts and Guides, hobbies like craft or photography – extracurricular activities can be just about anything your child enjoys outside school. They can also be things you've encouraged your child to do, like language classes, music, debating, religious instruction, swimming, or paid and unpaid jobs.

What enrichment activities can you offer a group of 20 children? ›

Types of after-school enrichment activities
  • Coding. Coding for kids can take a variety of forms, ranging from intro Scratch coding to advanced Python. ...
  • Board games. ...
  • Arts & crafts. ...
  • Minecraft. ...
  • Sports, dance & exercise. ...
  • Math. ...
  • Design. ...
  • Photography.
Aug 12, 2020

How many after school clubs should a child do? ›

There's no magic number of activities. For some kids, even one intense activity like sports or theater might turn out to be too many. Other kids can handle several without getting stressed. Check in with your child to see how they feel about their balance of activities.

Why are after school clubs important? ›

Afterschool programs can support social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth.

How do I start an after school program? ›

Share:
  1. a form 11 application form.
  2. DSD registration requirements and procedures.
  3. minimum norms and standards and other approvals that will be required such as.
  4. needs assessment form.
  5. business plan.
  6. job description for staff.
  7. clearance certificates as per the National Child Protection Register.
  8. daily/ holiday programme.
Dec 30, 2022

What are the unique activities? ›

These 9 different ideas will cure you of the doldrums.
...
The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox!
  • Parody Famous Paintings. Artnet. ...
  • Find Inanimate Faces. ...
  • Design an Amusement Park. ...
  • Play Balloon Spikeball. ...
  • Dress Up with Your Family. ...
  • Go on a Scavenger Hunt. ...
  • Create a Harry Potter Escape Room. ...
  • Try Your Hand at Trivia.
May 6, 2020

What are 5 indoor activities? ›

In the winter months, it can be difficult for older adults to exercise and stay active—below are fun indoor activities to enjoy.
  • Tai Chi and Yoga. ...
  • Board Games, Cards, and Puzzles. ...
  • Arts and Crafts. ...
  • Knitting and Crocheting. ...
  • Cooking and Baking. ...
  • Watching Movies. ...
  • Reading. ...
  • Journaling.
Mar 10, 2021

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