Tips for afterschool clubs for a 12 year old

[mima08]

In an attempt to reduce screen time after school, I am looking for afternoon clubs for my 12-year-old son in the local area...

Interests are pretty wide: table tennis, tennis, badminton, skateboarding, chess, dungeons or dragons, trampolining - anything where he can have fun with other kids his age (he already does an art class).

Wonder if anyone has any suggestions or can share clubs their kids love?

Thanks!

[sunbob]

I don't know what school they go to, but many state secondaries have loads of interesting and free after school clubs.

[Soylent Green]

Have you tried Jags or Alleyns?  You do not have to be members to book coached activities

 

[mima08]

On 23/06/2023 at 18:15, sunbob said:

I don't know what school they go to, but many state secondaries have loads of interesting and free after school clubs.

Thanks - yes, his school has a few but not many and they are very frequently cancelled, unfortunately... 

[northernmonkey]

Climbing at JAGS has been a popular option for mine - they do different age groups so its pretty sociable and the courses run for a term at a time. You don't need to be a member of the sports club to sign up. 

If he plays an instrument there is a new band that has recently been set up meeting at the Baptist Church on Amott Road for age 12+   Its called 'Beehive Big Band'.  My son hasn't been as the timing hasn't worked out this year but it sounds like it could be good. 

[mima08]

23 hours ago, northernmonkey said:

Climbing at JAGS has been a popular option for mine - they do different age groups so its pretty sociable and the courses run for a term at a time. You don't need to be a member of the sports club to sign up. 

If he plays an instrument there is a new band that has recently been set up meeting at the Baptist Church on Amott Road for age 12+   Its called 'Beehive Big Band'.  My son hasn't been as the timing hasn't worked out this year but it sounds like it could be good. 

Thank you - that's a great idea about climbing! ( not sure his flute experience is up for band playing yet...) 

[northernmonkey]

Don't know what the minimum standard is for the band  - but the guy was really friendly and nice who runs it so worth getting in touch.  Its a new group so might still be getting up and running. 

There's also track cycling at the velodrome - theres a skills session on Mondays and possibly other days too - check the website for session times. If he wanted to learn that - once you get a bit of experience there are other sessions too. 

If he's grade 2+ standard there is also Dulwich Youth Orchestra that runs in the main end of term holidays - doesn't help on a weekly basis but is a whole week worth of 'wholesome' non screen time activity!

Edited June 27, 2023 by northernmonkey
adding further detail with no extra posts

[mima08]

6 hours ago, northernmonkey said:

Don't know what the minimum standard is for the band  - but the guy was really friendly and nice who runs it so worth getting in touch.  Its a new group so might still be getting up and running. 

There's also track cycling at the velodrome - theres a skills session on Mondays and possibly other days too - check the website for session times. If he wanted to learn that - once you get a bit of experience there are other sessions too. 

If he's grade 2+ standard there is also Dulwich Youth Orchestra that runs in the main end of term holidays - doesn't help on a weekly basis but is a whole week worth of 'wholesome' non screen time activity!

thank you - those are great tips, will investigate.

And if anyone knows of any local clubs like dungeon's and dragons (?) or skateboarding - I've googled but not found anything so far...

[northernmonkey]

Realised that I'd seen something on skateboarding in peckham - school of skate.  Maybe see if any convenient group classes there.

My eldest plays D&D but they just set up an informal group of them from school and play at each others houses on a semi regular basis.  If he can find kids at school who are into it they could form a group - or does school have a D&D group given how popular it is now. 

 

 

[mima08]

On 07/07/2023 at 23:38, northernmonkey said:

Realised that I'd seen something on skateboarding in peckham - school of skate.  Maybe see if any convenient group classes there.

My eldest plays D&D but they just set up an informal group of them from school and play at each others houses on a semi regular basis.  If he can find kids at school who are into it they could form a group - or does school have a D&D group given how popular it is now. 

 

 

oh thanks - I'll check for that Skateboarding info! 

Yes, he goes to a D&D club at school - will see if I can encourage an out of school setup too (happy to have them at mine as I work from home)

[MarySQ]

Finding afternoon clubs for your 12-year-old son is a great way to keep him engaged and active. Look for local sports clubs that offer table tennis, tennis, badminton, or skateboarding. These clubs often have youth programs or coaching sessions specifically designed for kids his age. 

Dungeons and Dragons is a popular role-playing game that many kids enjoy. Look for gaming or hobby stores in your area that might organize D&D sessions or other tabletop role-playing game events.

 

[virgosuzie]

Dulwich TTC 

HARRIS GIRLS ACADEMY, HOMESTALL ROAD

HALL CLOSE FROM 22ND JULY –  9TH SEPTEMBER 2023

EVERY SAT 1.00 – 4.30 PM

 

 

[SpringTime]

To be honest I'd encourage him to team up with other kids vaguely his age and get up to plenty of mischief.