The best after-school activities for children to keep boredom at bay before bedtime

best after school activities

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

You've probably spent a lot of time thinking about all the back to school essentials that your child needs for school, but have you thought about after-school activities to help keep them entertained when they get home from a school day?

When your child comes through the door with their school uniform covered in pen or mud from playing outside, you're likely to be faced with a worn-out expression and little energy to engage in any meaningful conversation. Finding the right after-school activity for frazzled kids can help them decompress after a hard day's learning, and tapping into their creativity for a while can rebalance their emotions. Often when children come home from school they can seem moody or stressed, when in reality they've spent the day behaving and following rules, and being at home - in their safe space - means all those emotions can spill out at once.

Choosing an after-school activity that's fun, imaginative, and helps them bond with you, means you're setting them up for another good day tomorrow. However, we know how hard it is to motivate yourself at that time of the day - you've had a full day of it yourself - so getting prepared and planning ahead can make things a little easier.

From our own experience, the mums at M&B have put our heads together to compile a list of the best after-school activities to not only keep your child engaged and interested, but also to help with their development, regulating their emotions, and make those after-school hours something to look forward to.

Listed below are some of our favourite after-school activities, plus we discuss why they’re so important for your little ones. We’ve chosen a variety of toys, games, and puzzles; some that require independent play, and some that you can play with your children. The period after school and before bed can be a great time for bonding; and play can be the best way to help your child open up and talk about their day.

Our favourite after-school activities shortlist 2024:

Best balance board: Size M Balance and Motor Skills Board - Buy here at Decathlon.
Best screen-free after-school activity: Yoto Player: Buy here at Yoto.
Best tilt and spin: Kids Mini Top: Buy here at The Range.
Best multisensory toy: Number BubbleBrix: Buy here at Learning Resource Centre.

You can break up after-school hours between watching their favourite show on TV with some educational games, puzzles, and sensory input activities. So when you're shopping for all your back-to-school supplies, remember to shop for some of our favourite after-school toys and games, too.

Best balance board

A balance board is a great idea for after-school play - it'll engage their physical and mental senses, as the balancing takes a lot of focus. While this balance board can't be left outside, it's still a great toy to play with in the garden, or to just keep indoors. You can use it as a bridge, a mini slide, and to practise their balancing skills. It's also a great idea to sit on with their soft toys while reading a book. The Size M Balance and Motor Skills Board looks simple, but the play possibilities are endless.

M&B writer Sam said: "My six-year-old loves the balance board. He uses it to stand and rock on, as a bridge for his cars and even to sit on to play games. He sits and rocks himself, and I've noticed that it really helps him release some of his energy as he likes to move around, so for him to sit and rock it's a really great support."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Help psychomotor development

Cons

  • Can't be left outside
Dimensions:93 x 30 x 19cm
Suitable for:1 to 6 years
  • Easy to use
  • Help psychomotor development

Best screen-free after-school activity

The Yoto Player is a small audio player for children, that can play music, audiobooks, and podcasts. It's designed for all ages, and can be used by parents through the app for babies and toddlers, or by older kids themselves. Screen-free, it works by inserting a small card, on which data is stored, and read by the player. The cards play stories, games, and music, and you can create a night-time routine with the nightlight, and have an alarm for the morning. It can be used as a Bluetooth speaker too. You can buy a huge range of Yoto cards, and you can create your own, too. It's a fun way for children to listen to stories or music after school, without having a screen to stare at. Being portable and easy-to-operate means it's great for small children.

M&B writer Sam said: "The Yoto Player was really easy to set up, and I love that I can create a routine for my son on it, which will be really handy for when going back to school. It's easy to use the cards and it's handy to download them onto the app too. He's enjoyed sitting and listening to the stories and educational cards through the headphones when he's wanted five minutes' peace."

Read our full Yoto Player review.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Educational and fun

Cons

  • Cards and accessories sold separately
Dimensions:11cm
Suitable for:3 to 12 years
  • Ok-to-wake and night light
  • Room thermometer
  • 24 hours of play per charge
  • Independent and ad-free listening

Best tilt and spin

The Kids Mini Top lets children tilt, spin, and rock with the help of an adult or on their own. It can have a calming and soothing effect and even helps with children's balance. It's a great outlet for them to have after school, and they can even sit in it with their teddies watching a TV show or listening to a story.

Pros

  • Helps to soothe and calm
  • Helps to develop balance skills too

Cons

  • No onsite reviews
Dimensions:68 x 68 x 26.5cm
Suitable for:1 - 4 years
  • Helps to calm
  • Rocks, tilts and spins

Best multi-sensory toy

The Number BubbleBrix doubles up as a bubble popper fidget toy and a way to help children build maths skills. They can press the bricks until it pops and repeat the number. The blocks interlink too so that you can create maths equations for them to solve. It also comes with a handy storage bucket. This is a great after-school toy as the fidgeting can calm busy minds, while still developing their learning and maths skills at the same time.

Pros

  • Multisensory toy
  • Helps build early maths skills

Cons

  • No onsite reviews
Suitable for:3+ years
  • 42 x number bricks
  • 1 x storage bucket

Best after-school 3D challenge

A fun yet challenging way to stimulate your child's concentration, problem-solving skills, and cognitive skills, the Plug and Play Ball provides a lot of fun. With seven puzzle pieces, your child has to put the ball back together by simply plugging the pieces together. It's a great 3D challenge toy that also doubles as a fidget toy; an ideal after-school game to fiddle with and keep their brains active.

Pros

  • Stimulates cognitive skills, concentration and problem solving skills
  • Doubles as a fidget toy

Cons

  • Not suitable for young children due to small parts
Suitable for:6+ years
  • Ball-shaped frame
  • Seven puzzle pieces

Best LEGO for after school

Best after school activities LEGO Moana
Price: £46.98
Alternative retailers
Target$19.99View offer
Scheels$27.99View offer
Walmart$28.00View offer
Best Buy$28.99View offer

This LEGO Moana's Wayfinding Boat set will not only look great on display in your child's room once built, but it's great to play with and provides so much entertainment when building. It has 321 pieces and even comes with two mini figures and a dolphin. A LEGO kit can be an ideal after-school activity for your child, whether they're building independently or with your assistance. If you also love LEGO, then building a kit when they get home from school can be the perfect way to bond. Building and creating can engage their imagination and fine motor skills.

M&B writer Sam said: "My children love LEGO and I find it helps to keep them entertained and their mind and hands busy. This LEGO Moana was simple to build, but it provided a good hours worth of concentration which was a great way to unwind after a busy day and helped to pass time between getting home and having tea."

Pros

  • Helps concentration and fine motor skills
  • Great to build and play with

Cons

  • Keep out of reach of small children
Dimensions
Suitable for:6+ years
  • 321 pieces

Best after-school swing

Best after school activities Sensory Swing
Price: £23.87 (was £28.80)

www.fruugo.co.uk

A sensory swing is a great way for children of any age to have sensory input after a long day at school. They can swing, twist, or lay reading in this hammock-like swing. You can have it indoors or outdoors, and it will last years as it's suitable for weights up to 900kg.

Pros

  • Durable and fun
  • Enhances balance and spatial orientation

Cons

  • No onsite reviews
Dimensions:150 x 280cm / 59 x 110cm
Suitable for:Up to 900kg
  • Made with nylon material
  • Hooks to install

Best climbing frame

Best after school activities Plum Discovery Play Centre
Price: £457.99 (was £569.99)

www.very.co.uk

We find that our children always ask to go to the park after school, so rather than taking a walk, why not have a climbing frame in your garden? The Plum Discovery Play Centre provides hours of fun, with a pail and pulling rope for water, easy clean painting screen, climbing ladder, and slide. Having a climbing frame at home means the park is always accessible to your kids, whatever time of day, and means you can stay busy indoors while they're playing. It also means they can get more engaged with your own garden, and enjoy being outdoors. The fresh air straight after school will help calm their busy minds and release any extra energy they've built up in the classroom.

One review said: "I bought this product a month ago and me and the kids are made up with it. Really easy to follow instructions and very sturdy structure, can't get the kids off it come bedtime."

Pros

  • Hours of fun
  • Lots of features to help keep engagement

Cons

  • Might be too big for some gardens
Dimensions:240 x 270 x 193cm
Suitable for:3+ years
  • Wave slide
  • Ladder
  • Climbing ramp
  • Platform
  • Bamboo wind chime

Best affirmation cards

It's important to always check in with your child, and if they don't like answering too many questions about their day at school, these Tales of Me Affirmation Cards are a great way to connect with your child. The cards also encourage them to have a positive relationship with themselves, their friends, and their attitude to learning. Use them on a daily basis to help them become a part of their subconscious belief system as they navigate school life.

One review said: "Thank you so much for creating beautiful and positive cards! In the time that we are living I think it is imperative to teach our children about love, compassion, joy, happiness and hope. I think they have had a tough time the past two years and now, we as parents, need to work harder to help them to see a brighter future."

Pros

  • Helps children build a positive relationship with themselves
  • Great way to connect

Cons

  • You might have to simplify some for young children
Dimensions14.8 x 10.5cm
  • 24 x double sided cards

Best after-school maths game

Making maths fun, the Sum Swamp board game helps children to practise their addition and subtraction skills in order to win the game. Suitable for two to four players, simply roll the dice and solve the problem to move the marker forward. Playing a board game together after school not only keeps children's minds active and focused, but will help you bond together, too. Often a child who doesn't like being asked questions straight after school will open up and talk once involved in games and play.

Pros

  • Helps with math fluency
  • Suitable for two to four players

Cons

  • Younger children might need some support with the game
Dimensions:72 x 24cm
Suitable for:5+ years
  • Suitable for 2 to 4 players
  • 1 x game board
  • 4 x game markers
  • 2 x number dice

Best kids' tablet

Designed with children in mind, thanks to the bump-proof case, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet is very easy for children to use. It offers a range of free apps and helps to prevent any potential (and often unwanted) in-app purchases without parents' permission. It also has a two-year guarantee. It's great for keeping little ones entertained after school, through education apps or watching their favourite shows.

Our mum tester, Paige, said: "I would recommend this product for a mother’s sanity. That five minutes knowing your child is safe, happy and entertained puts so much ease on a parents mind, all while you're having a break. They have some amazing learning apps and lots of entertainment for the children. The children absolutely love it."

Read our full Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet review.

Pros

  • Comes with sturdy case
  • Adjustable age filters
  • Three colours to choose from
  • Suitable for ages 3–7

Cons

  • Sometimes a little slow
Display:8"HD
Screen resolution:1280 x 800
Storage:32 GB
Battery life:Up to 13 hours
Guarantee:2-years
  • Kid-proof case
  • Easy-to-use parent dashboard
  • Free 1-year Amazon kids subscription

Best Tonies figure

Much like the Yoto player we featured above, the Tonies Box is an audio player, which comes with characters to attach to the top to choose the audio. They're easy to use and with your child's favourite character, such as the Tonies Frozen Elsa Figure, they can listen to a story when they get home from school to help reduce screen-time, and they can enjoy singing along to their favourite songs.

M&B writer Sam said: "The Tonies figure is easy to use and it plays all the favourite Disney songs from the Frozen movie. My kids love singing and dancing along, and have even enjoyed listening to the film while playing with their toys, rather than sitting and watching a screen."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Can play with the character figure

Cons

  • Can't play the story first without skipping the songs
Dimensions:19.8 x 10.9 x 2.27cm
Suitable:3+ years

Different kinds of after-school activities

There are plenty of different after-school activities for your child to do and they meet different physical and sensory needs.

Physical activities: these are activities that involve using energy. Your child has spent their day learning, following rules and concentrating. They have had a break and lunchtime, but it's not usually enough physical activity to release built-up energy. This can involve testing their balance skills or motor needs and spacial awareness.

Educational activities: these can also be fun, your child can continue to use their brain with games to help concentration and problem-solving.

Mindful and connecting activities: practise mindfulness with your child through reading books, practising yoga or even colouring together.

Social and team activities: finding a sport or club for your child to join after school will benefit them in a variety of ways, including helping to forge relationships, learn about team building, make friends, and finding a common purpose.

Does my child really need after-school activities?

If your child comes directly home after school, there can be an awkward limbo period between arriving home and having tea and even just waiting for bedtime. While TV or playing games on a tablet can be easy, activities can be a lot more stimulating for their brain and actually help meet different sensory needs after a full day of school.

The benefits of after-school activities

There are various benefits to your child of engaging in after-school activities, including:

  • Productive and healthy ways to unwind after lessons

  • A chance to blow off steam and release energy

  • Building healthy coping mechanisms

  • Developing social and bonding skills

  • Boosting confidence and self-esteem

  • Exploring creativity and imagination

  • Learning how to problem-solve

More ideas for after-school activities

Here are some more ideas for engaging after-school activities:

Storytelling: Reading together is vitally important for children, so after school you could read a book together; you could take turns to read sentences so you’re both involved. Or, you could make it more creative, asking your child to write a story together using drawings. This can be great fun but also a brilliant conversation starter. If your little one has a bright imagination, get them to invent their own stories, using pointers such as monsters, aliens, animals, or colours.

Cooking: Getting your child to help you prepare dinner is the perfect after-school activity. So many skills are required; they can help you choose the meal, read the recipe, measure ingredients, cook, and then serve the meal at the table. You could also bake muffins for tomorrow’s breakfast.

Dance Party: Put on some loud music and dance – the ideal way to release energy after a day of learning. Allow your child to choose some of the songs, or maybe put on your favourite playlist from when you were younger and give them a musical education. Plug in a flashing disco ball for added entertainment.

Put on a Play: Set up a stage in your living room, even adding stage curtains if you can, and get your little ones to release their inner Shakespeare. Older children could write a play themselves, while younger siblings could help with props or perhaps being a sheep in the background.

Puppet Show: Use your child’s favourite toys and put on a puppet show. Develop the theme with home-made tickets, and perhaps make a half-time special snack.

Obstacle Course: Getting outdoors and releasing energy is the best way to decompress after a day at school. Set up an obstacle course and let them run around the garden; you could invite one of their friends over to compete, or get younger siblings involved in the race. You can buy obstacle kits, or just utilise items from the garden such as plastic plant pots and footballs.

Colouring and Artwork: Get the pencils and paints out and let them go free with drawing and colouring. Allowing that creative inner spark to be freed after a day of history and maths lessons will bring your little one out of their shell. You could set a theme, such as ‘space’ or ‘safari animals’ and follow the artwork with a snack along the same idea, such as planet-shaped sandwiches or chocolate animal biscuits.

Scavenger Hunt: A favourite with parents at M&B, a scavenger hunt means you get them to take a calming walk in the countryside without them realising. You can make your own list of things to find, or even get your children to draw what you’re searching for; or, there are lots of templates you can find online that you can print out. You’ll then get valuable fresh air and exercise while they’re hunting for rocks, flowers, leaves, and minibeasts; perhaps there’s a prize at the end if they tick everything off.

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

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