There are so many fun activities, hobbies, and interests that are not incorporated into the school’s regular curriculum. School clubs are such an amazing outlet for creative expression, fostering meaningful friendships, and learning teamwork skills that kids can use in various aspects of their lives. Whether these clubs are during the school day or part of an after-school program, activity resources and guidance can provide a formal setting for students to pursue and focus on interests that excite and engage.
1. Cooking Club
There are many ways to teach young students cooking skills- one source of inspiration can be feeding their parents and loved ones. Your cooking club can include showing students how to make different components of a meal, then inviting their parents to come and try what they’ve prepared.
Learn more: Global Game Changers
2. Photography Club
With so many kids having their own smartphones with built-in cameras, photography can seem like a lost art. On the contrary, many people are getting inspired to create photography in unique and out-of-the-box ways. In your photography club, you could focus on a new method or medium every week, like trying to capture flowers in nature or water as it flows.
Learn more: Sharp Shots Photo Club
3. Shark Tank Club
In case you haven’t seen the popular show on television, Shark Tank refers to entrepreneurs and inventors looking to create something totally new and marketable. For this school club idea, you can have students with a passion for inventing get in teams and collaborate to create a presentation for a product or service they think is valuable.
Learn more: Money Prodigy
4. Book Club
Here is a popular club that students of all ages can enjoy. With so many informative and captivating books out there for young readers these days, there’s bound to be a series or genre your members will want to read and discuss with some guidance and prompting questions.
Learn more: Read for Good
5. Community Service Club
Want your students to gain a sense of community spirit and responsibility for their neighbors while learning useful social skills and feeling a sense of accomplishment? Community service can be expressed in so many ways. This link provides a list of actions your club can do to contribute to your town in a positive way.
Learn more: Sign Up Genius
6. Art Club
Every school is full of artistic creativity and originality just waiting to be expressed! In your art club, find inspiration from various artistic mediums, and materials, and get ideas from your students about what they wish to create.
Learn more: Create Art with Me
7. Debate Club
Whether we loved it or hated it, there is a special place in every school where debate lives. Debate club is especially valuable as the world becomes more connected and disputed issues arise on a regular basis. Knowing how to form and articulate an educated argument is a useful skill.
Learn more: Edsys
8. Drama Club
Creative expression, social skills, teamwork, and building confidence, are all highlighted in this after-school program. Kids can join drama clubs at any age, and learn how to collaborate and shine with the help and support of their fellow schoolmates. Drama skills can improve conversation skills and foster community leaders with composure and quick thinking.
Learn more: Hobby Lark
9. Gardening Club
Gardening and spending time in nature are such useful and beneficial skills for everyone, especially kids! There are so many aspects of gardening that can excite and instill a love for the world in young learners. From mixing and making soil, to planting seeds and discovering how each plant grows differently, there is so much gardening can teach students.
Learn more: Kids of the Wild
10. Guitar Club
Studies show classes and clubs that incorporate music are highly beneficial for student learning, processing, and artistic expression. Guitar and other musical instruments can make for a fun after-school club where members can experiment with different instruments, styles of playing, and music theory concepts.
Learn more: The New York Times
11. Board Games Club
With so many fun and strategic board games out there, this exciting extracurricular program will be a big hit at your school! This link has some very useful tips to consider when starting a board game club.
Learn more: The Meeple Street
12. History Club
Don’t be fooled, history club is anything but boring if you get your students engaged in real issues and bring the past to life! This link has tips and club ideas including role play, community partners, and historical lessons that will have your students reassessing their understanding of their country and learning what powers they have to make it better.
Learn more: Teach Wire
13. Foreign Language Club
It’s no secret that learning a second or third language significantly benefits young learners in various aspects of brain development and communication. Your school may already include a second language in school curriculum, but other students may have the desire to learn a language not provided, so a language club can be a hands-on and potentially career-altering experience.
Learn more: Viva Language Services
14. Anime Club
Graphic novels and comic book series are one of our newer ideas for afterschool clubs. Similar to book club where members pick a series or book to read and discuss. Another option, is more focused on production with students working on their design and animation skills for their own comics!
Learn more: CBR.com
15. Dance Club
Whether students wish to let their stress out through movement, or want to pick up some dance moves, social skills, and confidence; dance club can be a fun and beneficial experience. You can pick a music genre or dance style to focus on each week or month to keep things interesting and varied.
Learn more: Mom Junction
16. Chess Club
Chess is a strategy game that has been shown to help young learners with decision making and critical thinking skills. When players participate in a club setting they can learn about healthy competition, how to be a good loser, and create a sense of community while improving in STEM.
Learn more: PHraseD
17. Science Club
From cool experiments and engineering projects, to earth science and robots, there are so many enriching activities and engaging games you can play in science club. Check out some program ideas and topics and prepare the materials needed for your kids minds to be blown!
Learn more: Science Sparks
18. Circus Skills Club
This may seem a little outside the box, but most circus training has physical, mental, and social benefits for kids of any age. From balancing on bars to juggling and spinning with scarves, it can be a full body work out as well as coordination practice and a way to build trust.
Learn more: Magical Circus
19. Film Club
Kids love movies, and there are some really intriguing ones out there you can use in your film club to initiate empowering and explorative discussions. You can have themes for each month of movies and allow students to vote and have a say in which films you include.
Learn more: Into Film
20. Eco/Green Club
Big change can start slow and small. Forming an eco club at your school will make a positive impact in your community and how your learners view the world they live in. Build a school of green warriors who understand the importance of recycling, reusing, planting, and appreciating what nature provides.
Learn more: We Are Teachers
20 Middle School Preparation Activities