After-School Balance: How to Choose the Right Activities and Leave Time for Play

By Kellie Smith, M.Ed.| Little Learning Table

As a new school year begins, many parents are mapping out their child’s after-school schedule. Sports, music, dance, tutoring, art, there’s no shortage of enriching opportunities. For some families, these activities are a joy and a choice. For others, they are a necessity for childcare or support. Every family is doing their very best, and there is no single “right” way to approach this season.

One thing I have learned after many years of teaching is that children also need space to just… be kids. Time to imagine, create, and explore without a clock ticking down to the next commitment. This unstructured time is not “wasted.” It’s where so much learning, problem-solving, and emotional growth happens.

Two Stories That Stayed With Me

Over the years, I have seen many different approaches to after-school scheduling. I have taught children who thrive with multiple activities, and others who blossom when they have quiet afternoons at home.

One year, I had a student who regularly came up to me to say he never got to play after school. His afternoons were filled with math practice until dinner. He told me he wished he could take karate lessons or simply go outside. His parents, who had come from an impoverished country, believed that education was the only way to secure his future. Once we had an open conversation, they agreed to enroll him in karate twice a week. The next morning, he came to school beaming, and the hug he gave me is one I will never forget.

Another student I taught had a different activity every day of the week. By the end of the school day, she was often upset over minor frustrations, her water bottle not fitting into her backpack, someone accidentally sitting in her chair. When I spoke with her privately, she told me she was tired and hungry after school, and she only truly enjoyed one of her activities. Her parents were understanding, but since they had already paid for the classes, they asked her to continue until spring. To help her cope, we made a paper chain from construction paper, with one link for each day remaining. She loved tearing off a link at the end of each day, and it gave her something to look forward to. Over time, the end-of-day stress began to ease.

What to Consider When Planning Your Child’s Schedule

Every child is different, but here are some guiding questions to help you decide on the right after-school balance:

• Energy and stamina: Does your child seem energized after a full day of school, or do they need time to unwind?

• Personality: Do they recharge by being with friends, or do they need quiet time alone?

• Bedtime routine: What time do they naturally wind down, and how much time do they need before bed to feel calm?

• Type of play: Do they have access to open-ended, unstructured play—either inside, outside, or in nature?

• Interests: Are the activities ones your child is excited about, or ones they feel obligated to attend? Discuss the activities with your child before enrolling them.

  
  

Urban vs. Suburban Considerations

Children in suburban areas may have easy access to backyards and nature, which makes unstructured outdoor play more accessible. In urban environments, open-ended play often requires more planning, finding nearby parks, safe outdoor spaces, or indoor creative areas. Regardless of where you live, the goal is to ensure that your child has time for play and exploration outside of structured activities.

The Bottom Line

The “right” schedule will look different for every family. For some, that means one activity a week. For others, it might be three. For working parents, it may involve after-school programs and, at times, with relatives.

The important part is ensuring your child has moments to rest, imagine, and simply be themselves. Because those unplanned moments? They’re often where the real magic happens.✨