5 Things To Remember When Signing Up Your Kids For Activities

It's a common quandary: What's the best after-school activity for my child? How do I find a good program?

How to Find Activities
Start your search at your child's school.We’ve got a list of all of the , and extra curricular activities, and done the work for you. It's also important to talk to other parents about what their children are involved in and get recommendations for kid-tested classes and activities. Many schools will showcase some of the after school clubs at the open house or in the school newsletter. 
In addition check out community resources such as:

• Community and recreation centers
• Church
• YMCA
• Boys & Girls Club of America
• 4-H

How to Choose
After you have an idea of the possibilities, talk with your child about what they are interested in. Give them some options that complement the interests — an artistic child might enjoy a ceramics class, while a boisterous one can work off energy dancing or playing a vigorous sport. But don't overlook what might seem like unlikely matches. Shy children often enjoy expressing themselves on stage in a drama class; fidgety children can find a way to focus through martial arts. Once you've narrowed down the options, visit them while they are in session so you can get a real idea about the environment, the staff, and the program. 


When you visit, look for:

• At least one adult for every 12 children — in younger groups, the ratio should be closer to one to 10
• Whether there any "hidden" costs, such as for uniforms, costumes, or equipment
• Friendly, enthusiastic staff. Are they certified or otherwise expert in their field? Feel free to ask for references and check them.
• A clean, safe, and spacious space for the activity. Is there enough equipment and other resources for everyone?
• A calm, but energized environment. Does the activity appear well organized and supervised?
• Happy, enthusiastic kids

Happy Balance:

I typically let my son do one sport per season, Cub Scouts, and then we do follow other clubs if the time commitment is not bad. Its important for your child to be in activities, but it is a good idea to have two days a week where there are no additional commitments and utilize that as some great family fun activities.

Have questions about your schools, here's the link to the listing.