11 minute read
Extracurricular Activities from A to Z
Find activities that are right for your child by exploring our comprehensive list.
By Stacey Feintuch
Extracurricular activities are important for kids. They help younger ones explore their interests, talents, and passions as they build teamwork and problem-solving skills. Plus, taking part is a way to make new friends, and build upon existing friendships. For the older set, extracurricular activities can be interesting (and good to have for college applications!).
It can be overwhelming to choose one or two activities, especially if your child is unsure how they like to spend their time. Below are tons of ideas to inspire you and your child to take advantage of free hours after school. See if your child has tried something that’s on the list or if something new is appealing.
AFFINITY GROUPS
These groups allow kids to meet with others whose identity is just like theirs. Groups are out there for those who identify as LGBTQ+, persons of color, or certain ethnicities like Greek or Irish. These groups can provide a safe space for your child and provide service activities.
MEDIA
For kids who love communication, media-oriented activities might be up their alley. They may want to join a group focused on print media, websites, or broadcasting. Exploring these areas can help them learn new technology, and create and build a portfolio for college applications and jobs.
• School or local film projects • School or local magazine/journal • School or local newspaper • School literary publication • School or local radio station • School or local television channel • School or local website • Yearbook committee
MUSIC
For the musically inclined, opportunities like playing an instrument or singing in school or in the community can nurture their talents.
• Chorus/choir at school, in the community, or with a religious organization • Chamber music group • Concert band • Ensembles • Instrument lessons • Jazz band • Marching band • Orchestra • Singing lessons • Start their own band
PERFORMING ARTS
If you have an aspiring thespian in the house, performing arts may be a good fit. They can try out for plays, or if they prefer to stay out of the spotlight, work behind the scenes making costumes or building sets.
• Comedy club • Choreography • Film club • Miming • Puppetry • Theater group at school or in community
POLITICAL INTEREST AND SPEECH
Some clubs and teams are intellectual. Kids who like to keep up with current events might like debate or political clubs. Student council may be a good choice for those interested in weighing in on school decisions that impact them.
• Debate club • Foreign affairs club • Forensics team • Mock trial club • Model Congress club • Model United Nations • Political affiliation club • Student government/council
SPECIAL INTERESTS
If you and your child can’t find a club for their interests, help your child start one or join a group online.
• Boy Scouts • Chess club • Entrepreneurship club • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) • Girl Scouts • Horticulture • Model railroads • Quilt making
STEAM PROGRAMS
If your home is filled with LEGO creations, STEAM programs may be a good fit. These activities are based in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
• Coding • Engineering club • Math club • Robotics • Video game development
SPORTS
Kids can participate in sports teams at school, through your town, or join travel club teams. They can start as early as toddler and preschool years and play in middle school or high school.
• Baseball and softball • Basketball • Bodybuilding • Cheerleading • Climbing • Cycling • Dance • Fencing • Football • Golf • Gymnastics • Horseback riding • Hiking • Hockey • Ice-skating • Lacrosse • Martial arts • Ping-pong • Skateboarding • Skiing • Soccer • Swimming • Tennis • Track and field • Volleyball • Water polo • Yoga
BROOKLYN
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center
3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene 718-624-8400 mmdg.org/theschool • schooladmin@mmdg.org
The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center will resume its dance and music programs for children, teens, and families, 100-percent in-person (with select online options) this fall! Its robust schedule features classes in a variety of genres with live musical accompaniment, for all ages, with and without disabilities.
Super Soccer Stars x Pro Soccer Kids
More than 80 locations across NYC, LI, and Westchester 606 Columbus Ave., at 89th St., Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-877-7171 55 Front St., Suite 7, Rockville Centre 516-740-7171 newyork.supersoccerstars.com info@supersoccerstars.com
Soccer Stars is NY’s No. 1 youth soccer program for more than 20 years. Certified coaches lead small-group classes, promote teamwork, offer individual attention, follow safety guidelines. Parent & me, FUNdamentals, development training, multi-sport, and scrimmage games programs. Private classes available. Ages 1-12 and older. Save $25 – Code: NYMP21.
MANHATTAN
Atlantic Acting School
76 Ninth Ave., Suite 313, Chelsea 212-691-5919 atlanticactingschool.org education@atlantictheater.org
We are thrilled to be back in person this fall! From musical theater to sketch, improv, scene study, and film/TV, we’ve got a class for your young actor. Kids aged 4-18 create characters and scripts—and produce their own work! Save $50 when you register by Sept. 7 with code “FALL2021.”
Ballet Hispánico School of Dance
167 W. 89th St., Upper West Side 212-362-6710 ballethispanico.org/school school@ballethispanico.org
Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance, an accredited training center that leads with a holistic curriculum for today’s young dancer, is the direct link to the organization’s values of access, opportunity, and pride for all students interested in dance and Latinx culture. Dancers train in ballet, contemporary techniques, flamenco, and more!
Bloomingdale School of Music
323 W. 108th St., Upper West Side 212-663-6021 • Virtual Office: 201-578-4289 bsmny.org • registrar@bsmny.org
Bloomingdale School of Music is dedicated to the belief that music changes lives. Everyone should have access to high-quality music education. It offers a range of options including early childhood, private lessons, theory classes, ensemble instruction, and performance and practice opportunities led by experienced, qualified, and caring faculty. Financial aid available.
Dedimus Potestatem
718-954-1357 potestatem.co • info@potestatem.co
Dedimus Potestatem provides fun, academically challenging programs to students in primary, middle, and high schools. Our programs include Leadership, Debate, Filmmaking, Model UN, Philosophy, Model Congress, Mock Trial, Etiquette, Bioethics, Languages, and more. We currently offer virtual and in-person private, semi-private, and group sessions, as well as after-school programs.
German-American School: Where Kids Learn German
Upper East Side Garden City and New Hyde Park 212-787-7543 german-american-school.org kidslearngerman@aol.com
German-American School NY offers a NY-state accredited after-school German language program. The school has taught German to children since 1892, and its motto today is “German is for everyone” - not just for Germans.
Joffrey Ballet School
434 Sixth Ave., 3rd floor, West Village 888-438-3808 joffreyballetschool.com
The Joffrey Ballet School Children’s and Youth Ballet Programs offers year-round classes for dancers ages 2-18. Our classes are taught in our West Village studios, founded by Robert Joffrey in 1953. Fully in-person or virtual options available, with performance opportunities each semester! Register today for a trial or placement class!
LeapUp Learning Mandarin After School Program
1751 2nd Ave., between 91st and 92nd streets, Upper East Side 646-870-0560 leapuplearning.com • info@leapuplearning.com
LeapUp Learning Mandarin after-school classes are for children ages 5-16. Teachers are native speakers with master’s degrees in bilingual education. Small-sized classes are tailored to students’ different levels and goals. Other after-school online and in-person classes include ELA reading/writing, public speaking and debate, chess, and test prep.
Little Stars Theatre Classes at Martial Arts Family Studio
290 Mulberry St., Soho 646-335-5034 mafsplayroom.com
In these theater classes, your little stars (ages 3-7) will develop the skills to excel in musical theater performance. Featuring song, dance, and imaginative storytelling. Martial Arts Family Studio offers both a drop-off and a mommyand-me version of this class to suit your family’s needs.
Martial Arts Family Studio: Martial Arts
290 Mulberry St., Soho 646-335-5034 • martialartsfamilystudio.com info@martialartsfamilystudio.com
Discover your child’s potential in our Martial Arts Classes! We emphasize building self-confidence, physical preparedness, and mental focus through our programs. Children of all experiences and ages find many benefits from the inclusivity, discipline, and maturity that traditional Martial Arts training brings to their lives.
Martial Arts Family Studio: Mommy and Me
290 Mulberry St., Soho 646-335-5034 • martialartsfamilystudio.com info@martialartsfamilystudio.com
Join the most unique baby and toddler community! Martial Arts Family Studio is sure to have the mommy-and-me class you’re looking for. Offering music classes for ages newborn to 2, theater classes, and intro to martial arts classes for 2 and older, and even separation child care during adult fitness classes.
Pusteblume International Preschool and Afterschool Programs
244 W. 14th St., West Village 212-206-1137 pusteblumenyc.org • info@pusteblumenyc.org
We are a German- and Spanish-language immersion school with after-school/enrichment programs open to students from other schools. Special inquiry and exploration-based curriculum is provided. Native-speaking faculty teaches music, movement, literacy, math concepts, and visual arts. Our fun, warm, learning environment cultivates the growth and development of your child.
Super Soccer Stars x Pro Soccer Kids
More than 80 locations across NYC, LI, and Westchester 606 Columbus Ave., at 89th St., Upper West Side 212-877-7171 55 Front St., Suite 7, Rockville Centre 516-740-7171 newyork.supersoccerstars.com info@supersoccerstars.com
Soccer Stars is NY’s No. 1 youth soccer program for more than 20 years. Certified coaches lead small-group classes, promote teamwork, offer individual attention, follow safety guidelines. Parent & me, FUNdamentals, development training, multi-sport, and scrimmage games programs. Private classes available. Ages 1-12 and older. Save $25 – Code: NYMP21.
QUEENS
All Star Studios
108-21 72nd Ave., 4th floor, Forest Hills 718-268-2280 allstarstudiosnyc.com • allstarstudiosnyc@gmail.com
All Star Studio’s Fall 2021 Session of jazz, tap, ballet, hiphop, and acro, for ages 3 and older, starts Sept. 9. Classes are fully in-person, masks required for now, and safety protocols remain in place, but so happy to be back dancing in person! Register for your free trial!
QUEENS (continued)
Further Music School
110-06 72nd Ave., Suite MD2, Forest Hills 718-544-8886 1180 Northern Blvd., Suite C1, Manhasset 516-743-3544 furthermusic.com • info@furthermusic.com
Founded in 2007, Further Music School is one of the largest and well-recognized music schools in New York, with more than 5,000 students currently enrolled. Our locations in Queens, Long Island, and Manhattan, provide music lessons in piano, violin, guitar, and vocal to all ages and levels.
Israel Center of Conservative Judaism: ICCJ
167-11 73 Ave., Fresh Meadows 718-591-5353 iccj.org
We are an egalitarian conservative congregation in the heart of Queens. ICCJ is an all-inclusive synagogue that focuses on the family. We have a multitude of programs and committees as well as sisterhood, men’s club, and a young families’ program. Everyone is treated like family in ICCJ.
Music Together® With Music and Me
Astoria, Bayside, Forest Hills, Glendale, and Little Neck 718-229-0033 Music Together Online Astoria at Gym-Azing! Bayside at Shotokai Karate, USA, Upper Level of the Baybridge Commons Shopping Center Forest Hills at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills Forest Hills at the Church-In-The-Gardens Glendale at Tiger Schulmann’s Glendale musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com
Indoor, outdoor, and online—playful, rich, and engaging weekly Music Together classes help babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids (and their grown-ups!) discover their inner music-makers, while also supporting their overall learning and development. Plus, you’ll have a blast singing, dancing, and jamming along with other families. Enroll today!
Performing Arts Conservatory of New York
35-57 89th St., Jackson Heights 718-639-1425 • 917-774-3411 paconyschool.com info@paconyschool.com
We offer music instruction in piano, violin, guitar, voice, brass, and woodwinds; dance instruction in ballet, modern, and flamenco; art instruction in drawing and painting. Dalcroze, music and movement for preschoolers, drama and musical theater classes, and Spanish for kids are available. Adults welcome. Following all pandemic precautionary measures.
Rose Academy of Ballet
70-11 Austin St., Forest Hills 718-520-0207 roseacademyofballet.com racademyofballet@gmail.com
A thoughtful dance program that combines movement and music, while always leaving space for personal creativity. Students are taught by professionals in their field! Join us for dance classes—ages 3 and older! We offer pre-ballet, jazz, hip-hop, acro, and more. Register for classes now!
School of Rock Queens 2021 Fall Program
34-43 Francis Lewis Blvd., Lower Level, Suite 2, Bayside 929-999-7625, Victoria Consalvo, general manager locations.schoolofrock.com/queens queens@schoolofrock.com
The ultimate music school with online and in-person lessons. Rock it out with flexible programs on guitar, vocals, keys, bass, and drums. Hone in during 1-on-1s or our socially distanced Rock Bands! We have everything needed for rockin’ education!
Super Soccer Stars x Pro Soccer Kids
More than 80 locations across NYC, LI, and Westchester 606 Columbus Ave., at 89th St., Manhattan 212-877-7171 55 Front St., Suite 7, Rockville Centre 516-740-7171 newyork.supersoccerstars.com info@supersoccerstars.com
Soccer Stars is NY’s No. 1 youth soccer program for more than 20 years. Certified coaches lead small-group classes, promote teamwork, offer individual attention, follow safety guidelines. Parent & me, FUNdamentals, development training, multi-sport, and scrimmage games programs. Private classes available. Ages 1-12 and older. Save $25 – Code: NYMP21.
Countryside Montessori School
An Education Where Children Thrive Under the Guidance of Great Teacher in an Environment that Stimulates Creativity and Individual Potential!
our new safety proctols
It’s time for Back-toSchool! Spacious New Playground
• A proven system celebrating 100 years of practice, research and worldwide recognition. • Our fully equipped spacious classroom offer the most enriched curriculum available for 18 months - 6 years.
