Afterschool program ideas: 65 After School Program Ideas

Afterschool Programs | Youth.gov

Afterschool programs (sometimes called OST or Out-of-School Time programs) serve children and youth of all ages. These programs encompass a broad range of focus areas including academic support, mentoring, positive youth development, arts, sports and recreation, apprenticeships, workforce development programs, and programs for opportunity youth (i.e., youth not in schools or the workforce) and youth experiencing homelessness.

The activities children and youth engage in outside of school hours are critical to their overall development, highlighting the need for quality afterschool programs in all communities. The demand for afterschool programs is strong, with nearly 10.2 million children and youth who participate in afterschool programs annually,¹ across 10 million in summer camps and 6 million in 4-H programs, alone.²

Federal agencies, state-level resources, community organizations, and local and national philanthropies can provide support and resources to build, sustain, and ensure access to high-quality afterschool programs that can help promote positive outcomes for youth. Explore the articles and links on this topic to learn more about afterschool programs. Resources are also provided to help navigate challenges in planning and implementing afterschool programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources

Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School in Fall 2020
This webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides practical guidance intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, their families, and communities in fall 2020.

Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps
This webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides practical guidance and resources for camp staff to use while planning and implementing camps safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Afterschool & Summer in the Time of COVID-19
This webpage from the Afterschool Alliance provides information on how afterschool programs nationwide are responding to the impact of COVID-19 and offers a Statewide Afterschool Networks Resources map for each state.

Afterschool Alliance
This website from the Afterschool Alliance provides information, resources, and timely resources on planning for, implementing, and funding afterschool programs.

Afterschool Alliance Research
This webpage from the Afterschool Alliance provides reports, issue briefs, fact sheets and other resources that show how afterschool programs are keeping children and youth safe, inspiring learning, and helping working families across the country.

Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 (PDF, 4 pages)
This factsheet from the Afterschool Alliance presents findings from the first of a series of surveys meant to “take the pulse” of afterschool programs in the U.S.

National Afterschool Association
The National Afterschool Association website provides afterschool professionals a wide range of tools and resources designed to promote professional development and strengthen afterschool programs.

References

¹ Afterschool Alliance, 2014
² Yohalem, Pittman, & Edwards, 2010

15 Afterschool Program Ideas for All Elementary Ages and Abilities

Afterschool programs are an excellent way to help your children develop, regardless of age or ability. Depending on the program, these activities can help your children grow in various areas by discussing and developing their interests, hobbies, talents, and skills. Unlike “boring” school activities, these programs are enjoyable for children. The more children enjoy these activities, the more parents and teachers are willing to share them.

Choosing the right program ideas is critical for helping children develop mentally and socially. To help you make the best decision, we’ve compiled a list of afterschool program ideas for elementary ages and for all abilities that are both educational and beneficial. Let’s get into it!

What Exactly are After School Programs for Elementary Ages?

Afterschool programs are safe, structured activities that allow children to meet regularly after school to learn new skills and grow into responsible adults. These are not necessarily areas covered in the school curriculum. They cover a wide range of topics, such as reading, painting, arts, cultural enrichment, nutrition, sports and recreation, conflict resolution, and other programs!

Afterschool programs of high quality are usually community-driven, extended learning opportunities that promote developmentally appropriate cognitive, social, physical, and emotional outcomes. These programs supplement and balance the academic curriculum. Afterschool programs can take place immediately after school, in the evenings, on weekends, and during summer vacations and holidays.

Best After School Program Ideas for Elementary Ages and Abilities

Several types of afterschool program ideas and activities could be added to kids’ activities to make the hours between school and dinner time more interesting. Arts and crafts, writing and theater, cooking and food activities, game time, and outdoor fun are all included. These are our top picks!

Arts & Crafts

1. Painting

In this activity, kids use various painting objects such as fabrics, a paint-board, and whatever paint they have on hand to create as many different designs and effects as possible. The more they do it, the more creative they will become.

2. Chalk art

Chalk art is one of kids’ best outdoor arts and crafts projects. To make some “masterpieces,” all you need is a piece of sidewalk and a bucket of chalk!

3. Rainbow soap foam

Another activity preschool to elementary school students could do after school is making rainbow soap foam. To create this tactile activity, you only need a little soap, water, a mixer, and some food coloring. However, you must keep an eye on them to ensure that they do not accidentally get soap in their eyes!

4. Homemade kites

Your children can get creative with fabric, string, popsicle sticks, and other materials you have lying around the house. This is also an excellent way to teach children the art of sewing.

Writing and Theater

5. Letter writing

When you include colors and have your child’s friend or siblings present, the art of letter writing can also be fun for them. You can teach your children to write colorful and creative letters using a pen and some colorful books.

6. Puppet show

With this activity, you can assist your children in putting together a simple puppet show out of paper bags or socks. You’ll be astounded by the characters your children can conjure up.

7. Dress Up

Almost every child enjoys a good dress-up game; it enhances their imaginative abilities and encourages them to learn how to create basic story structures. Give them a theme and some costumes, and they should be fine.

8. Storytelling

Creating and presenting tales and short stories works exceptionally well for younger and elementary-aged children. Encourage them to include as much detail as possible and perhaps even create a picture to accompany it as the story starter. This is an excellent afterschool program idea for elementary ages!

9. Movie making

Older children comfortable with phones and tablets can make their own movies. Making a movie is great for kids aged 10 and up because it improves their critical thinking skills as well as their computer and phone usage. So, you may need an older sibling to help with this, but it is a fun option!

Cooking and Food Activities

10. Baking

Baking with your child can be as entertaining and educational as any other program! Children enjoy having to do adult things, and this can help you spend more time with your child while keeping them engaged.

11. Ice Cream Bag

Children love sweet foods; they love making them more. Using ice cubes, half and half, sugar, and your favorite flavorings, you can make ice cream straight from the bag while making the process as relaxing as possible.

Game Time

12. Hide and Seek

With this game activity, your kids’ critical thinking, gross motor, self-reliance and social skills are developed. This game is easy to understand for all kids of all ages and abilities and is quite simple to play.

13. Who am I?

This is a guessing game for kids in which they must answer yes or no questions to determine the identity of a famous person or animal. It is a good way to enjoy the afterschool hours.

Outdoor Fun

14. Nature walks

Walking outside can be enjoyable for children, and it does not have to feel like an uphill trek (even if that is precisely what you are doing). This afterschool program idea for elementary ages can be fun to do with teachers or parents!

15. Obstacle courses

Kids love challenging playtime. These games require a lot of physical movement that can encourage and improve their thinking and problem-solving skills while bringing fun for them.

Are After School Programs for Elementary Students Required?

Afterschool programs are critical to the overall development of children, particularly those in elementary school who are about to enter adulthood and promote positive outcomes among them as youth. Without some of these structured, supervised activities in the afterschool hours, some kids are more likely to be unnecessarily idle.

Final Thoughts

Afterschool program ideas for elementary ages offer elementary-aged children opportunities to learn new skills that ahs a variety of benefits! In general, the skills learned in afterschool programs can be extremely beneficial in a variety of ways, including promoting physical health and avoiding other risky behavior. This is why it is critical to provide them with high-quality afterschool programs.

Before You Go

While you’re here, make sure you check out our explore page so that you can find afterschool program ideas for elementary ages in your area!

Looking for more ideas? Check these out!

• 26 Simple and Fun After School Activities for Kids that we Love
• 25 After School Activities and Games for Every Type of Kid
• 7 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe in After School Programs

Gap year after school: 5 pros and 5 cons

College of Economic International Relations

For graduates of 9th and 11th grades.

Higher education online

Federal project of distance education.

I would go to the oil industry!

Take the test, find out your future profession and how to get it.

Technologies of the future

Get inspired to become a cool engineer to change the world

Student projects

Moscow Polytechnic University students talk about their inventions

Chemistry and Biotechnology at RTU MIREA

120 years of training experience

International College of Arts and Communications

MKIK – modern college

English language

Together with Wall Street English experts, we decided to talk about English in a way that would make you want to learn it.

15 rules of safe behavior on the Internet

Simple but important rules for safe online behavior.

Olympiads for schoolchildren

List, calendar, levels, benefits.

First economic

We talk about what lives and how the REU named after G.V. Plekhanov.

Ticket to Holland

Participate in the competition and win a trip to Holland to study at one of the summer schools at Radboud University.

Digital Heroes

They create Internet services, social networks, games and applications that are used daily by millions of people around the world.

Jobs of the future

How new technologies, scientific discoveries and innovations will change the landscape of the labor market in the next 20-30 years

Dream professions

Together with the Foxford online learning center, we decided to ask schoolchildren who they dream of becoming and where they plan to go.

Economic Education

About what the modern economy is and what career prospects open up for future economists.

Humanitarian sphere

We talk with experts about the importance of liberal arts education and the areas of its application in practice.

Young engineers

Engineering specialties are becoming more and more in demand and promising.

Table of ranks

What is the civil service, who are civil servants and what kind of education is a good start for future officials.

Career in petrochemistry

Petrochemistry is innovation, the real production of products that are in every home.

“I spent a year traveling and volunteering”: why not applying right after school is a good idea

Many teenagers in Europe and the USA do not immediately go to university after final exams, but take a gap year – an “intermediate year” between school and university. During this year, you can decide on the direction in education or better prepare for admission.

The concept of a gap year appeared in the sixties. The post-war generation in the United States did not want to live like their parents: immediately after school, go to university, then start a family and run in a vicious circle “home – work – home”. These “rebels” took a year off before starting their student life and left to look for themselves.

Later, organizations appeared that sent young people who took a break from their studies to volunteer in other countries and regions. Now this practice is very common. In the same Denmark in the late nineties, only 25% of school graduates immediately entered the university.

How to negotiate with parents

Liza says:

“The school with all the courses and circles did not help me decide on a profession — alas! Therefore, I gave myself this opportunity: I spent a year traveling with language programs and doing part-time jobs. I pulled up two languages ​​to B2 level and made many friends in different countries. Trying to work in different areas, I was able to outline the range of interests from which I chose my specialty, and as a result, I entered the HSE Faculty of Communications, Media and Design.

For my parents, my decision did not come as a surprise: for almost the entire senior year, I talked about how cool it would be not to go straight to a university, but to take the time to find yourself. Not every school makes it clear who you really want to be, this is a complex and long process. I explained to my parents that I want to first try to work in areas of interest to me, travel, and then move on to another level of education, already confident in my choice and actions.

I think it all depends on your motivation: none of your parents will like it if you lie on the couch for a whole year

It is important to make it clear that there is nothing to worry about and your choice is a great way to get to know yourself better and find the very thing that will make you happy. Every parent wants this for their child!”

Part-time jobs, looking for volunteer programs and courses

Lisa says:

“I studied Spanish and English at school, they were about the same B1 level, which allowed me to work with younger kids. So I found my first part-time job: I registered on a website for tutors and started teaching online. At the same time, I was looking for interesting language courses or volunteer programs to start traveling. After a couple of weeks of incessant searching in social networks, I found a suitable program.

Most volunteer programs offer work in kindergartens or nursing homes, as well as beautification of the territory. It is more difficult to find a program related to your interests, so it is better to immediately decide what you would like to do and start searching in this direction. If you still don’t understand what you like, you can look through all the options and gradually weed out the unsuitable ones.

The main thing is to clearly understand what you want to do and what you would never undertake

After volunteering at the festival in Barcelona, ​​I realized that my level of language does not allow me to fully express my emotions and thoughts. Therefore, I decided to go to Madrid for two weeks to learn Spanish. There I immediately felt all the advantages of the courses: you are completely immersed in the language environment, and at the same time, nothing prevents you from practicing your English. With classmates, we devoted several hours to Spanish, and in our free time we communicated in English. During the courses, you find yourself in a company of like-minded people who love to travel, learn about other cultures and the world.”

Why a year-long break is needed

Reviewing values ​​ . Previously, you only thought about how to get a good grade, leave classes early and pass the exam, but now an adult life filled with opportunities and difficulties looms ahead. After school, few people can say with certainty what they want to do when they grow up. Sometimes it takes time to hear yourself.

Super preparation for the dream university . If the first time you didn’t manage to get where you wanted, in the interim year you can focus not on the school curriculum, but on the necessary subjects. In a year, you can add an impressive number of olympiads, conferences, volunteers and internships to your portfolio. USE results are valid for four years.

Test drive profession . Sign up for a course or find an unpaid internship to gain work experience before going to college. This is the coolest opportunity to look inside the specialty of interest.

Volunteering. Many gappers spend a year volunteering and traveling to discover the world and make new friends. And if during this time you can also make the world a better place, you get an almost ideal option.

New perspectives. Starting with almighty networking and ending with a complete restructuring of the worldview. Over the course of a year, you can hear many inspiring stories that will form a general picture of limitless possibilities and help you believe in your own strength. If others could, why shouldn’t I try?

How to make the most of the year

Make an action plan. This is perhaps the most important thing before the gap year. So you will save yourself from the thoughtless waste of time and resources and be confident in your actions. Here are a few questions to help you plan and remember:

• Why do you need a gap year?
• What is your goal? What do you want to do?
• What can you already do? What abilities need to be developed in order to achieve the goal? How are you planning to do it?

Turn a hobby into a life’s work. Develop in what you really like. Most likely, this way you will become happier and find your calling a little earlier than after four years of undergraduate studies.

Learn a language. A language course abroad is travel and new acquaintances, as well as the experience of independent living and communication with native speakers. On a language course, you will not only learn more about another culture, but you will get to know yourself even closer and improve your level of English, which will always come in handy.

What to do with the army

It seems that the luxury of a gap year is not available to boys, because compulsory military service hangs over them. But there are options. According to the law “On Education” (Part 7 of Article 71 of the Federal Law “On Education in the Russian Federation”), temporary exemption from the army is granted to certain categories of persons who entered the preparatory departments of universities in the year of graduation on a budgetary basis.