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!
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Popular with elementary school kids! A collection of trending extracurricular activity ideas (1–10)
abacusNEW!
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.
Soccer / FutsalNEW!
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.
danceNEW!
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 schoolNEW!
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 classNEW!
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.
cram schoolNEW!
Cram schools are a classic choice for extracurricular learning to review school studies and deepen understanding.
Some people may feel they only want to study at school, but cram schools also serve the purpose of helping them build study habits.
If students experience the feeling of grasping what they didn’t understand in class through learning at a cram school, they might come to find studying enjoyable.
Rather than forcing study, why not consider a cram school as an option to help them learn with enjoyment?
SwimmingNEW!
Swimming is a classic choice for lessons—not only does it build your body, but it also helps you protect yourself.
As a full-body workout in water, it steadily improves basic physical fitness, and because it makes you focus on breathing, it also enhances cardiopulmonary function.
Plus, by learning swimming techniques, you can expect it to help you stay safe in water-related accidents.
While enjoying the sensation of swimming, your body is trained almost unconsciously, which gives the impression of being relatively low-impact.