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School gets out, and your kids are bursting with energy, ready to take on the world…or at least the afternoon. It can be a challenge to keep them occupied, especially if you still have work to do or errands to run. Here are eight fun and educational after-school activities that will keep your kids engaged and on the track to success:
1. Teaching Them Entrepreneurship
What better way to encourage your child’s creativity and teach them essential life skills than by helping them start a small business? Guide them through developing a product or service, setting up a marketing plan, and opening up shop! They’ll learn how to budget their time and money, as well as how to interact with customers—all while having a blast!
There are countless
types of businesses your teenager could launch, including (but not limited to):
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Lawn services
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Dropshipping
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Selling branded T-shirts or other merchandise
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Blog writing
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Tutoring
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Cake decorating
While it’s nice to have money in the bank, the true value of teen entrepreneurship is that it teaches your child how to launch and manage a company—skills that can pour over into other areas of their life. Help your child make a business plan, build a website, create a brand, and choose a legal structure. Limited liability companies (LLCs) tend to work well for teens because they’re low-risk and flexible and can protect their personal assets. The simplest way to form an LLC is to work with a formation service but
compare reviews first.
2. STEM Projects
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education is more important than ever in our modern world. Luckily, there are tons of great STEM projects that your kids can do at home! From building a simple circuit to growing their own crystals, they’re sure to have a blast while
learning about science and math. And who knows? They might just find their new passion!
3. Crafts and Art Projects
If your kids are more into arts and crafts, there are plenty of ways to turn their
hobby into an educational experience. Visit your local craft store for some project ideas, or look online for tutorials on how to make anything from paper airplanes to origami animals. And don’t forget about all the great crafts you can make with things around the house, like homemade slime!
4. Volunteering in the Community
There’s no better way to teach kids the importance of giving back than by volunteering as a family. Check with your local schools, soup kitchens, or animal shelters to see what opportunities are available in your area. Not only will your children be helping others, but they’ll also learn valuable
lessons about empathy and compassion. Everybody wins!
5. Coding
Teaching coding to kids is becoming increasingly important given the increasing number of jobs requiring programming skills. Coding can help instill advanced problem solving and critical-thinking skills, which can benefit children in a variety of ways including helping them make sense out of complex ideas. Additionally, coding also helps build self-confidence due to achieving tangible results and encourages creativity.
Click here to find coding resources that can help your child learn.
6. Martial Arts
Is your child looking for an opportunity to stay active after school? Martial arts classes are an excellent option! These classes will give your child physical activity while teaching them discipline, focus, and respect—all while having fun. If they keep showing up to their classes, they may even earn themselves a black belt one day!
7. Sports
Joining a sports team will also keep your kid active while having fun. Soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis…your child has a plethora of options depending on their interests. They’ll make new friends, learn teamwork and leadership skills, and get some fresh air as they
burn off some of that extra energy!
8. Foreign Languages
Learning a foreign language is a fantastic way for kids to
boost their brain power and prepare for the future. With so many resources available online (and many schools now offering foreign language classes), it’s easier than ever for kids to get started. Why not have them pick a language they’re interested in and then help them practice at home? Pretty soon, they could be bilingual (or trilingual!).
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s no shortage of wonderful after-school activities to keep your kids happy, healthy, and engaged. Whether you’re teaching them about coding or starting a business, each of the ideas above will give them a leg up in life. So go ahead—try out one (or all!) of these activities with your kids today. We promise you won’t regret it!
Lizzie Tutoring will help your child find academic success and build study skills and confidence. Virtual sessions are available!
guest post by Jenna Sherman from Parent-Leaders
