*Top After-School Activities for Kids

Today’s modern parents often have busy work schedules and this can sometimes mean that they are unable to give their children their full attention when they arrive home from school. So how do you keep your child entertained, whilst at the same time ensuring that they are doing something constructive and in a safe environment? The answer is to find them a suitable after-school activity to undertake before they arrive home. This not only affords you some more precious time to yourself but can also bring a wealth of benefits to your kids.

Tap Dancing

Getting kids these days to carry out physical exercise can be difficult to say the least. However, when it is disguised in an enjoyable form like dance, there is a much stronger possibility that children will participate. Dance also hones coordination skills, improves concentration and increases strength. It also goes without saying that dance is an extremely fun activity for kids to undertake and they may even decide to do it well into their adult lives.

One form of dance that is extremely energetic and therefore thoroughly enjoyable for kids is tap. Not only does it help children improve their flexibility but it also encourages them to develop a sense of rhythm. One thing’s for sure though, if your kids decide to take up tap dancing then they are going to need some tap shoes. Therefore, it would be prudent to check out the range of dance shoes at Move Dancewear.

BalletBallet is only for girls right? Wrong! The Royal Ballet School has seen its intake of boys double since the release of the movie Billy Elliot. The huge success of the tale about a young lad from north-eastern England has broken the social taboo of boys doing ballet. However you look at it though, ballet is still the dream activity for most little girls. Pink satin shoes and frilly tutus are every little girl’s dream and after-school ballet classes can make that dream a reality. It truly is one of the most magical, graceful and enchanting forms of dance there is. As well as making dreams come true, ballet also teaches some very important life skills like discipline. Needless to say that kids also benefit from improved agility, fitness and posture.

Karate

A sense of achievement is something that every child enjoys and karate, with its belt system, allows kids to strive for that next goal. The natural progression aspect of karate keeps children interested and keen to attend classes. There are also the health benefits that physical exercise brings and with childhood obesity on the rise, this has never been more important. 
Karate also teaches children about discipline, which as every parent knows, can sometimes be difficult. Martial arts like karate are also fantastic activities for kids who aren’t that keen on team sports. They can progress at their own pace, building confidence and self-esteem along the way. Karate classes are also great places to make new friends and you can be rest assured that your child is learning something worthwhile, in a safe environment.What activities do your little ones do? We would love to get Abbie involved with Ballet & gymnastics :)