As the school year ramps up, it's time to start thinking about scheduling extracurricular activities for our kids. Maybe you are a pro at lining up after school fun, but you don't have time to scour the internet for local opportunities. You may be wondering if your children would benefit from activities like classes, lessons, or sports. Perhaps you are worried that your family doesn't have time for extra fun. We can help with all of that!
Studies show that extracurricular activities contribute to the overall functioning of our children.
- Kids develop positive habits and time management skills when they have structure and routine. (I was always surprised that my kids did better in school when they were busier.)
- Children have the opportunity to develop their skills and learn more about their interests.
- Connecting with others who share the same passions as they do provides a support system to kids of all ages.
- Kids develop social skills that they will need as adults.
- Children are offered opportunities for leadership, cooperation, and peer interaction.
Tips for maintaining a sense of balance while participating in extracurricular activities
- Remember that there is no one strategy that will work for every family. Find the schedule that works well for your family.
- Choose one or two activities that are meaningful for each child.
- Create a visual schedule. Color coding for each member of your family is a great strategy.
- Schedule downtime for your family to do something together. Even an hour a week will make a huge difference and will help you connect with each other.
- Keep room in your plans for unstructured play. This is important for all ages.
- Mindfulness activities such as meditating and yoga are often effective in helping children maintain balance in their lives.
- Celebrate kids’ differences and talents by letting them choose the activities that make them happy and healthy. These might be different from the activities that you would choose for them.
So, where to start? There are so many awesome extracurricular choices for kids in the Lakewood-Littleton area. A great problem to have, but a dilemma just the same. We make it easy for you to find the perfect extracurricular activity for your toddlers to teens. Check out our Classes, Activities, & Sports Guide!
Aerial Arts
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Aerial Cirque Over Denver (Ages 3 to adult)
Do you have a child who swings on ropes and loves to climb? Our aerial dance camps at Aerial Cirque Over Denver (i70 & Quebec) are perfect for that adventurous spirit! Kiddos learn aerial silks, trapeze, hoop, and sling. Adult classes also offered! Classes offered year round.
Art Instruction
- artSPARK Creative Studio
- Color Me Mine
- Red Hen Createry
Baseball
- Green Mountain Junior Baseball
Basketball
- Advantage Basketball
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Gold Crown 3X5 Basketball League (3rd - 8th graders)
Get warmed up for your winter season! Where else can you play in a clinic, 3on3 game and 5on5 game in one night? The 3x5 Basketball League allows for athletes to take nightly skills and transform them into game play. Scholarships available! Offered during the Fall Season.
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Denver Nuggets Holiday Hanzlik Camp (3rd - 8th graders)
Stay active and work on your hoops game over winter break! Head to the Hanzlik Hoops camp for some basketball skill work, exercise and a Denver Nuggets ticket! Offered during Winter Break.
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Basketball Winter Training Series (4th - 8th graders)
Take your basketball game to the next level with intense skill work, conditioning, and competition. This camp is not for beginners, but for players who are established in the sport. Offered during Winter Break.
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Youth Development Basketball League (2nd - 8th graders)
Start your basketball journey! This recreational based basketball league focuses on proper skill development, team building and knowledge of the game.
Sign up by January 19!
Boxing
- Title Boxing Club
Culinary Arts
- Little Kitchen Academy
Equestrian
- Chatfield Stables
- Denver Equestrian
- Tallhorse Riding
Fitness & Yoga
- Kids Action Fitness
- Spectrum Yoga
Golf
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Gold Crown Middle School Golf Series (6th -8th Grades)
Kick-off a new school year with some extra time on the golf course - it's the best time of year to be outside in Colorado. Each tournament is held at a different course, so don’t fight traffic and pick a spot near you! Offered during the Fall Season.
- Littleton Golf
- Littleton Golf and Tennis Club
- Meadows Gold Club
Gymnastics
- 5280 Gymnastics
- Golden Gymnastics
- Jet Kids Gymnastics
- Peak Athletics
- Wonder Gym
Hockey
- Foothills Hockey
- The Ice Ranch
Lacrosse
- Bear Creek Lacrosse
Language Instruction
- Brilliant Spanish Learning
- GoLIngual - Music Lingua
- Spring International Language Center
Martial Arts
- Excel Taekwondo
- Littleton Taekwondo
- People's Kenpo Karate
- Revolution Martial Arts
- Rocky Mountain Karate Association
Multi-Activity & Community Centers
- Arapahoe Community College
- Bear Creek Junior Sports Association
- Bear Creek Lake
- Charger Elite Camps
- City of Lakewood Recreation
- Denver Audubon
- Foothills Park and Recreation
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Gold Crown Foundation (6 - 20 years old)
Interested in basketball, volleyball, flag football, or golf? Gold Crown has programs for boys and girls year round!
- Green Mountain Recreation Centers
- Lakewood Heritage Center
- Peak Athletics
- Pirate Youth Sports
- Sheridan Recreation Center
- South Jeffco Sports
- Z-Ultimate
Need to buy or sell sports equipment? Try Play It Again Sports Lakewood!
Nature
- Carson Nature Center
- Chatfield Farm
Performing Arts
- Adventures in Dance
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Aerial Cirque Over Denver (Ages 3 to adult)
Do you have a child who swings on ropes and loves to climb? Our aerial dance camps at Aerial Cirque Over Denver (i70 & Quebec) are perfect for that adventurous spirit! Kiddos learn aerial silks, trapeze, hoop, and sling. Adult classes also offered! Classes offered year round.
- Allana's Academy of Dance
- CYT
- Do Re Mi Lessons
- Front Range Christian School Drama
- Joyful Soles Dance
- Littleton Music Lessons
- Littleton Youth Ballet
- MPower Dance Studio
- Peak Athletics
- Town Hall Arts Center
- Xtreme Dance Force
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)
- Girls Who Code
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The Clubhouse (12 - 18 years old) - FREE PROGRAM!
The Clubhouse is a free, after-school program for youth with a focus on interest-based learning. Drop-in for your chance to engage in the latest technology and creativity software in a supervised yet fun setting. Offered year round!
- Mathnasium Ken Caryl
Soccer
- Littleton Soccer
- Soccer Shots
Special Needs
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
- Spectrum Yoga
Swimming
- Aqua Tots
- SafeSplash Swim School Lakewood
- SwimLabs Littleton
Tennis
- Bear Creek Swim and Tennis Club
- Columbine Knolls Recreation
- Lakewood Park Tennis Center
- Littleton Golf and Tennis Club
- Normandy Pool and Tennis Club
Toddler & Preschool Programs
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The Denver Preschool Program helps ALL families find and pay for preschool! ALL families will receive at least some of their preschool costs, and some families will receive up to 100% of tuition costs.
- Green Mountain Village Preschool
- Mackintosh Academy
- Primrose School of Littleton
- Stepping Stones Learning Center of Littleton
Volleyball
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Gold Crown Youth Competitive Volleyball League (6th – 8th graders)
A quality league with excellent competition! For over 20 years, this league has brought together middle school youth in their community to compete at a competitive playing level with a positive experience. Offered during the Fall Season.
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Gold Crown Youth Development Volleyball League (5th - 8th graders)
A league for volleyball players looking for further skill development and recreational level competition. Come ready to work hard, improve your skills, and have some fun! At Gold Crown Foundation, we prepare kids for the game of life, on and off the court. Offered during the Fall Season.
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Winter Volleyball Camp (3rd - 8th graders)
Bump, set, spike! Keep your volleyball skills sharp over winter break and come ready to work hard and have some fun. Offered during Winter Break.
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Winter Volleyball League (5th - 8th graders)
Head to the Gold Crown Field House for our brand new Winter Volleyball League! You asked, we answered... and we can’t wait for you to experience it!
Register by January 15!
Does your Lakewood or Littleton business offer extracurricular activities? Join our Guide and reach thousands of readers by emailing ChristenR@macaronikid.com.
