Popular with elementary school students! A collection of trending extracurricular activity ideas
What could children be truly passionate about? Many parents are surely thinking about lessons that their kids can stick with.
Here, we introduce extracurricular activities for elementary schoolers that spark curiosity—experiences they can’t get from regular school classes alone.
We’ve gathered a wide range of options, from classic sports and the arts to more unique classes that encourage intellectual exploration.
After-school hours and weekends can become invaluable moments that open up future possibilities! Find something that perfectly matches your child’s personality and interests, and give them a gentle push to take on the challenge!
Popular with elementary school kids! A collection of trending extracurricular activity ideas (1–10)
abacus
The abacus might be associated with being a popular extracurricular activity in the Showa era, but in fact it’s experiencing a resurgence in the Reiwa era.
The biggest benefit of learning the abacus is becoming strong in arithmetic and calculation.
And perhaps unexpectedly, by repeatedly calculating with the abacus, you naturally develop logical thinking.
Many elementary school students stumble over word problems.
By cultivating logical reasoning, they can quickly grasp what a passage is trying to convey.
You could even say the abacus is an extracurricular activity that nurtures the brain.
calligraphy / shodo (Japanese calligraphy)
https://www.tiktok.com/@akane20231005/video/7382145802979790098Writing characters is an integral part of school lessons, and whether you can write beautifully also affects your concentration.
That’s why calligraphy is recommended: it helps you improve your handwriting and also boosts your expressive ability and concentration.
Brushes are harder to control than pencils, so by engaging with them seriously, you can deepen your understanding of characters.
Since balance is crucial for creating beautiful works, it seems likely that not only your handwriting but also your artistic abilities will improve.
English conversation
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUiSePsj9fQ/English conversation lessons that build proficiency from an early stage are an appealing extracurricular activity that can expand future options.
Once children discover the fun of speaking a language different from their everyday one, their English skills will grow, leading to smoother communication with people in English-speaking countries.
Since they will also encounter English in school classes, getting early exposure through lessons can help eliminate any sense of difficulty toward those classes.
It’s an activity with strong future potential that may open the door to communicating with a wider range of people.
Soccer / Futsal
Soccer is a popular sport with many participants, and professional matches are often thrilling, so you probably see it quite often.
It’s said to offer many benefits, such as improving stamina and athletic ability through full-body movement, and fostering teamwork through playing as a team.
Because the game demands a variety of actions—like assessing the situation while running toward the ball and controlling it in the midst of play—you naturally develop a range of skills as you stay focused and keep practicing.
It’s also a sport with the appeal of a strong sense of accomplishment, as you can feel both your own growth and your team’s progress.
dance
Dance, which is also a required subject in classes, is very popular as an extracurricular activity.
You can learn a variety of things, such as a sense of rhythm, expressive ability, and how to use your body.
Above all, being able to dance is cool, isn’t it? Did you know that dance is also known as a communication tool? By closely observing and matching the other person’s expressions and movements, you can express empathy, which helps build relationships.
Try looking for a class where you can learn the style you like, such as street dance or breakdance.
Piano school
As a music-related extracurricular activity, the piano is a classic choice.
Its appeal lies not only in developing abilities useful for music but also in cultivating expressive skills.
While listening to the sound, players coordinate complex actions—moving both hands on the keys, reading sheet music, pressing the pedals—which is said to stimulate brain activity.
In addition, one can expect mental growth, such as the persistence needed to complete a piece through practice and the resilience to overcome the pressure of recitals.
It’s an activity that can enhance various abilities while allowing learners to experience the joy of sound.
gymnastics class
At a gymnastics class, children can have fun moving their bodies while improving physical abilities and overall fitness.
Even kids who feel uncomfortable with exercise can gradually learn how to use their bodies through play, so it isn’t a burden and may help them overcome their difficulties.
The experience of “I did it!” can also build confidence and self-esteem.
They might even come to love being active and smile more.
Also, getting better at controlling the body means they’re less likely to get injured.
There are health benefits as well.