Every toddler is different. So extracurricular activities for toddlers can vary widely depending on the sorts of things they like to do and the personalities they have. Some children may be super boisterous and benefit from group activities like team sports. Other children may benefit from quieter solo activities.
According to the Infant Toddler Temperament Tool, which was designed by the Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, there are three categories that most toddlers can fit into: easygoing, slow to warm, and active. No matter which type a child is, there are activities that will benefit their demeanor.
Here are 16 extracurricular options.
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Youth Sports
Gym Classes
Tumbling and gymnastics are popular activities for young children. These classes help active kids get their energy out, and the group settings can help foster friendships for shy children because they all have this one thing in common to talk about. A quick internet search should bring up gyms nearby that take toddlers.
Library Storytime
Active children can benefit from the calming environment of the library, while quiet and shy children won't feel out of place. Many local libraries offer storytime programs for little ones, and libraries also usually offer robust kids' sections with books and sometimes even toys for all ages.
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Music Classes
Music can be an extremely beneficial part of a young child's life, which is why many parents start playing songs while the child is still in the womb. As toddlers, they can participate in music classes where they can practice playing instruments, singing, moving to the beat, and more.
Even local libraries may offer these sorts of musical enrichment activities.
Dance
Dance classes available for little ones range from free-form to more structured, so it's easy to find one that's best suited for a specific personality.
Children who seem easily distracted may enjoy a freestyle class without a lot of structure. Conversely, maybe something like ballet could help them learn to adhere to structure a little bit more. Additionally, outgoing children may appreciate being in group dance classes where they can learn routines with their friends.
It's just about finding what suits each child best.
Exploring STEM
STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and math — all of which are important to introduce to our kids. Outschool has a bunch of online video lessons in these areas for little ones. And since they're internet-based, they could be good for shy children who don't do as well in larger in-person groups.
Arts & Crafts
Exploring drawing, painting, crafting, etc., can be good for toddlers who already show a penchant for creativity. But these types of classes are also good for more intellectual overthinkers to practice unlocking their right brain activity. Many local recreation centers offer these sorts of arts and crafts classes for children.
