5815 Tutt Center Point - Colorado Springs, CO 80922
Are you looking for engaging after school activities for kids in Colorado Springs? Look no further! This ultimate guide covers 50 fun activities to keep your children active, learning, and thriving outside of school hours. From sports to arts and everything in between, there’s an activity for every child.
Why After School Program Activities Matter
Before we get to the list, let’s first talk about why after school program activities are so important. Engaging in structured activities after school helps children in many ways, such as:
- Doing better in school
- Making friends and improving social skills
- Finding and developing talents and interests
- Staying active and healthy
- Staying out of trouble by being busy
Now, let’s go through the amazing after school activities Colorado Springs offers!
Sports and Fitness Fun
Playing sports and staying active is a great way for kids to be healthy. Here are some popular sports your kids should try in Colorado Springs:
Get your kids involved in a local soccer team or league, like Colorado Springs Youth Soccer. It’s a great way for them to make friends and learn teamwork.
Encourage your children to play basketball at the YMCA, park centers, or private clubs. It’s a fun way to stay active and improve coordination.
Sign your kids up for swimming lessons or have them join a swimming team at places like the Colorado Springs Swim School. It’s an important life skill and a great full-body workout.
Let your little ones explore their flexibility and strength by taking gymnastics classes at gyms like Colorado Springs Gymnastics.
Kids can learn karate, taekwondo, or jiu-jitsu at local dojos to build self-defense skills and boost their confidence.
If your children are interested in racquet sports, they can play tennis or take lessons at clubs like the Broadmoor Tennis Club.
Get your kids to join outdoor clubs to explore Colorado Springs’ beautiful nature areas. It’s a wonderful way to appreciate the outdoors and stay fit.
Have your kids join a local Volleyball program.
These sports activities are perfect for keeping your kids moving and teaching them important life skills like perseverance and sportsmanship. Encourage your children to try out these exciting options and find the ones they enjoy the most!
Art and Creativity Activities
Helping your child be creative is just as important as physical activities. Colorado Springs has many artistic activities for kids:
Helping your child be creative is just as important as physical activities.
Let your kids learn an instrument or sing at places like the Colorado Springs Conservatory. It’s a great way for them to express themselves and develop a new skill.
Encourage your children to take dance classes like ballet, jazz, or hip-hop at studios like Colorado Springs Dance Theatre. They’ll love moving to the rhythm and making new friends.
Sign your kids up for classes where they can learn to draw, paint, or sculpt in places like the Bemis School of Art. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to get creative and make unique artworks.
If your kids love the spotlight, they can be in youth theater shows or take acting classes at places like the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. It’s a fun way to build confidence and teamwork skills.
Encourage your children to join writing clubs or workshops at the library to learn storytelling and poetry. It’s a great outlet for their imagination and helps improve their language skills.
Let your kids learn to take pictures and make videos at local art centers or schools. It’s a fun way for them to capture their world and express their creativity.
Engaging in art activities helps kids be creative, express themselves, and use their imagination.
STEM and Academic Activities
Adding academic activities outside of school can help your child do better in class and enjoy learning. Let your child try these ideas:
Encourage them to build and program robots in school clubs or with the Boy Scouts. It’s a fun way to learn about technology and teamwork.
Send your children to science camps at the Colorado Springs Science Center or Space Foundation Discovery Center. They’ll love hands-on experiments and discovering new scientific concepts.
Have your kids join math clubs or competitions at school or in the community. It’s a great way to improve their problem-solving skills and make math more engaging.
Let them learn to play chess at school, library, or community center chess clubs. It’s a fun strategy game that helps develop critical thinking and concentration.
If your kids enjoy public speaking, have them join school or community debate teams. It’s an excellent opportunity to practice research skills and learn to articulate their ideas.
Sign them up for after-school programs or language schools to learn a new language. It’s a valuable skill that can broaden their horizons and improve cognitive abilities.
Send your children to coding camps or classes to learn computer skills. It’s an important skill set for the future and can be a lot of fun too!
These academic activities teach kids important skills and knowledge that will help them in school and beyond.
Life Skills and Personal Growth
Helping kids learn life skills and build character is key to their growth. Here are some suggestions:
Get your kids involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar groups to learn valuable life skills and help the community. It’s a great way to make friends and discover new interests.
Sign your children up for cooking classes to learn kitchen skills and healthy eating at places like The Little Kitchen. They’ll love creating tasty treats and learning about nutrition.
Encourage your kids to learn about plants and nature in gardening clubs or programs. It’s a wonderful way to teach responsibility and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Help your children learn to manage money in bank programs or through Junior Achievement. It’s an important skill that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Enroll your kids in programs like Toastmasters to build leadership and public speaking skills. It’s a great confidence booster and will help them in school and future careers.
Teach your children the value of kindness and helping others by encouraging them to volunteer at local charities. It’s a rewarding experience that will help them grow as individuals.
These life-skill activities help kids become well-rounded and caring individuals. Encourage your children to explore these opportunities and find the ones that resonate with their interests and values. By investing in their personal growth, you’re setting them up for a bright and fulfilling future!
Special Interest Activities
Colorado Springs also has many special activities for kids with specific interests such as:
If your kids love animals, they can take riding lessons or join horse clubs at local stables. It’s a great way to learn responsibility and bond with these majestic creatures.
Let your children learn to climb at indoor gyms like City ROCK. It’s a fun and challenging activity that builds strength and confidence.
If your kids are interested in martial arts, they can learn fencing skills at clubs like the Pikes Peak Fencing Club. It’s a unique sport that teaches discipline and strategy.
Encourage your children to practice archery at places like the Archery School of the Rockies. It’s a great way to improve focus and hand-eye coordination.
If your kids are fascinated by aviation, they can explore flying at the National Museum of World War II Aviation or Peterson Air and Space Museum. It’s a fun way to learn about history and science.
Let your children express their creativity by making clay creations at pottery studios or art schools. It’s a fun and tactile activity that results in unique keepsakes.
Encourage your kids to learn to knit or sew at local yarn and fabric shops. It’s a practical skill that can also be a relaxing and rewarding hobby.
These special interest activities let kids explore unique hobbies and learn specific skills. Encourage your children to try out these exciting options and find the ones that spark their passion and curiosity. By nurturing their interests, you’re helping them develop a sense of identity and purpose.
Nature and Environmental Activities
Colorado Springs’ beautiful nature areas give kids many ways to explore the outdoors. Encourage your children to try these exciting activities:
Send your kids to nature camps at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or Bear Creek Nature Center. They’ll love learning about animals and plants in a hands-on environment.
Take your children to look for birds with clubs like the Aiken Audubon Society. It’s a great way to teach them patience and appreciation for nature.
Help your kids learn to fish with Colorado Parks and Wildlife programs or local fishing clubs. It’s a fun and relaxing activity that teaches responsibility and respect for the environment.
Encourage your children to learn about rocks and minerals with the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society. It’s a great way to explore the Earth’s history and beauty.
Let your kids learn about space at the Space Foundation Discovery Center or Pikes Peak Observatory. It’s an awe-inspiring activity that sparks curiosity and imagination.
Nature activities help kids appreciate the environment and enjoy the outdoors. Encourage your children to explore these wonderful opportunities and develop a lifelong love for nature.
Technology and Innovation Fun
Help your kids prepare for the future by introducing them to new technology and encouraging innovation. Encourage your children to try these exciting activities:
Get them involved in school robotics teams that compete in FIRST Lego League or VEX Robotics challenges. They’ll love building and programming their own robots while learning valuable STEM skills.
Have them learn 3D design and printing at library makerspaces or tech centers. It’s a fun way to bring their ideas to life and develop spatial reasoning skills.
Send your kids to coding camps that teach how to make apps and video games. They’ll have a blast creating their own interactive projects while learning the basics of programming.
Help your children learn to fly drones safely with local drone clubs. It’s an exciting hobby that teaches responsibility and can even lead to future careers.
Encourage your kids to learn about internet safety and coding at school workshops or tech company events. It’s an important skill set that will help them navigate the digital world with confidence.
Technological activities give kids the skills they need to thrive in the digital world. By encouraging your children to explore these innovative pursuits, you’re setting them up for success in a rapidly changing future. These activities not only teach valuable technical skills but also foster creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability – essential qualities for the 21st century.
Community and Citizenship Activities
Helping kids get involved in the community teaches them to be engaged citizens. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Let your kids share their ideas on local issues in youth councils and boards. It’s a great way for them to learn about civic engagement and make a difference in their community.
Encourage your children to learn about world politics and law in school Model UN and mock trial programs. These activities help develop critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills.
Get your kids involved in local garden projects to help them learn about growing food and building community. It’s a fun and rewarding way to teach responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Check out programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to develop leadership skills and make a positive impact on someone else’s life.
Organize neighborhood cleanup events with your kids to show them how to care for their community. It’s a great way to teach them the value of volunteering and taking pride in their surroundings.
Community activities help kids become active, caring members of society. By encouraging your children to get involved in these initiatives, you’re helping them develop a strong sense of citizenship and empathy for others.
Conclusion
Overall, Colorado Springs has an amazing variety of after-school activities for kids of all ages. Doing these activities helps kids build important skills, meet new people, and find hobbies that shape their future. As parents, you must support and encourage your kid(s) to try new things. No matter what your child likes to do, you will surely find great after school activities in Colorado Springs.
If you want to take things further, you can always give your child a fun and educational after-school experience at our After School Program in Colorado Springs. Contact us today to reserve their spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
After school program activities offer numerous benefits for children’s development. They provide opportunities for kids to enhance their academic performance, develop social skills, and form lasting friendships. These activities also allow children to explore their interests, discover new talents, and stay physically active, which contributes to their overall health and well-being.
Which sports and fitness activities are popular among kids in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs offers a wide range of sports and fitness activities that are popular among kids. Soccer is a favorite, with many local teams and leagues available for children to join. Basketball, swimming, and gymnastics are also well-liked. Additionally, kids can take up martial arts, tennis, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors through hiking and exploration clubs.
Participating in artistic and creative activities allows children to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas in unique ways.
- Through music lessons, kids can learn to play an instrument or sing, developing their musical skills and self-expression.
- Art classes in drawing, painting, and sculpting enable kids to explore their visual creativity and fine motor skills.
- Photography and videography lessons teach children to capture and express their world visually.
Engaging in these artistic pursuits helps children develop a wide range of skills while fostering their imagination and self-expression.
Children in Colorado Springs have access to a variety of STEM and academic activities that can supplement their classroom learning.
- Science camps and workshops engage kids in hands-on experiments and scientific exploration.
- Math clubs and competitions challenge children to improve their mathematical abilities and critical thinking skills.
- Foreign language classes, offered by schools and language centers, allow kids to learn and appreciate new languages and cultures.
Why is it important for children to get involved in community activities?
Engaging in community activities is crucial for children’s personal growth and the development of their social responsibility. By participating in such programs, kids learn the importance of giving back to their community and develop empathy and compassion.