NICOLE R. DELMONTE
From developing essential life skills to fostering creativity and teamwork, extracurricular activities help students explore their passions, build confidence, and prepare for future challenges. Let’s delve into these activities and experiences that can contribute to your children’s development and success.
Young minds thrive when given space to grow. Extracurricular activities play a vital role in shaping well-rounded children, offering more than just after-school entertainment. They allow kids to explore interests, boost creativity, and develop new skills. Beyond the classroom, these activities build confidence, foster potential, and expand social circles through meaningful friendships. Whether in arts, music, sports, or academic clubs, after-school programs are key to a child’s overall development.
In schools, various extracurricular activities are offered to pupils. Each caters to several interests and developmental needs. Even outside schools, Riyadh houses a wide range of centers and organizations which offer extracurricular activities.
Here are some of the usual extracurricular activities available in academies and centers in Riyadh:
Sports
Engaging in sports clubs helps children become more physically fit and active. If your child has potential in a particular sport, enrolling them in sports-related after-school activities will help enhance their competence and further boost their confidence. Team sports also help in instilling the value of leadership, discipline, and camaraderie in your athletic kids.
If the specific sports clubs you are looking for are not offered in your child’s school, check out these centers in Riyadh that you may probably consider:
Bounce Freestyle Academy offers kids a blend of exhilarating adventure and mindful physical activity. Bounce has specialized training programs facilitated by world-class athletic coaches for different age groups.
Address: 4466 Khurais Branch Rd, Ar Rawdah
Website: https://bounce.sa/en/about-us/
Elite Sports offers football and multi-sports camps across different locations in Riyadh. They focus on both physical fitness and teamwork to engage and motivate young athletes.
Address: Multi-campus in Riyadh
Website: https://elitesportsksa.com/
Wave Swimming Academy is a premier competitive swimming school catering to both kids and adults. They offer intensive training focused on skill development and endurance to those looking to excel in swimming.
Address: As Sahafah
Website: https://waveswimming.sa/en/
Golden Champ Academy offers specialized training in various sports such as swimming, football, gymnastics, ballet, self-defense and more. It is the first learning institution in Saudi Arabia that provides courses for students with special needs and disabilities including rehabilitation programs, sports medicine, and hydrotherapy sessions. Catering to both kids and adults, Golden Champ Academy boasts of highly skilled and qualified coaches that provide proper guidance to its students.
Address: Dar Al Uloom Schools, Al Falah, Riyadh / Al-Fares Schools, At Taawun, Riyadh / King Faisal School, Al Idrisi, Riyadh / Kingdom International Schools, Ar Rabi Riyadh
Website: www.goldenchamp-ksa.com
Arts and Crafts
Extracurricular activities in arts and crafts stimulate creativity and imagination in children, which is useful in their self-expression. Artistic clubs let kids explore their emotions, and allow them to practice the art of patience. Most of the time, art teachers design their activities to enhance the fine motor skills of children and train them to be more attentive to fine details.
If you wish to expand your child’s artistic talent beyond their school clubs, there are several artists’ spots in Riyadh:
Global Art offers classes in painting, deco-art, clay modeling, and handicrafts developed to nurture the creativity and ingenuity of children. This center provides a fun and educational environment for artistic talents.
Address: Uthman Ibn Affan Rd
Website: https://sa.globalart.world/
Synergy Art Hub offers hands-on activities and art courses for children including ceramic art and painting. They also conduct lessons in sculpture, pottery, and drawing.
Address: Al Olaya
Website: https://synergyarthub-sa.com/
Enchanted Art Center aims to provide lectures to deepen understanding of art. Older school children who have a passion for visual arts can take advantage of the workshops being offered here.
Address: Al-Thumamah Valley St, Al Olaya
Website: https://www.enchanted.sa/about-3
Foreign Languages
Joining foreign language after-school activities opens up children to a multicultural world. Beyond learning new words, these clubs enhance a child’s cognitive abilities and improve their memory and critical thinking skills. At a young age, a child mastering a new language can build their communication skills and develop a global perspective.
Riyadh is brimming with language centers. If your child is interested in expanding their linguistic capabilities, check out these places:
Alliance Francaise is a part of a global network with over 900 branches worldwide that offers high-quality French language lessons in Riyadh and other cities in the Kingdom. A reputable learning institution, it also provides a rich and immersive experience to students who want to master the French language and explore French culture.
Address: Spring Plaza 1st floor, King Abdulaziz Road, Ar Rabih / As Safarat – Al Kindi Plaza Gate 14
Goethe Institut gives language lessons for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners. The school ensures that lessons take place in a fun environment for children across ages.
Address: Ash Shaikh Mohammad Ibn Salih Al Uthaymin St. Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi,
Arabius’ Arabic language classes are designed to help learners thrive in Saudi Arabia. Offering both face-to-face and online lessons, they provide a comprehensive approach to understanding and speaking the Arabic language.
Address: 1st Floor, Office 3, 7013 At Takhassusi St
Website: https://arabius.com/about/
Music and Performing Arts
Children involved in performing arts clubs have the opportunity to develop better social skills as they are being trained to face different audiences. These types of extracurricular activities allow kids to explore their ideas and emotions constructively. In addition, they foster discipline through rigorous practice and rehearsals and let them sharpen their focus and concentration.
Here are some music and performing arts centers in Riyadh:
Music Home offers a wide range of instrumental music lessons, including guitar, oud, violin, and piano. Catering to all skill levels, Music Home also provides individualized training, short and long courses, and certificate programs.
Address: Riyadh Gallery Mall
Website: https://musichome.sa/services/
Masterhat welcomes young people aged 4-16 to enroll in drama, performing arts, and creative programs in Masterhat. With programs based on British and American curricula, this center provides a high-quality foundation in the performing arts while helping students develop essential life skills.
Address: 8039 Al Qala’a, Ar Rabi
Website: https://masterhat.net/
Yamaha Music School provides lessons in piano, violin, guitar, ukulele, and vocals. Using a unique curriculum that goes beyond musical techniques, Yamaha Music School also allows students to learn music theories and equip them with skills for an ensemble performance.
Address: Localizer Mall, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz Road (Al Tahlia), Al Olaya
Website: https://adawliahyms.com/
Science and Technology
These extracurricular activities stimulate the curiosity of children interested in exploring further the world of science and technology. Scientific classes enable them to improve their problem-solving abilities and logical thinking, while letting them deepen their passion for innovation. Technology-infused lessons are great ways to expose children to new knowledge in improving the lives of people.
If your child is a budding scientist or computer expert, the following centers in Riyadh are open to serve you:
LAMBA brings together a community of passionate thinkers to create and nurture a supportive community and stimulating environment for critical problem solvers. Programs at Lamba like Smart Cities, Blue Economy, and Entertainment Hub provide a comprehensive learning experience through an immersive 8-week project-based studio focused on design thinking and problem solving.
Address: 8571 Tayma St. 3330, Al Safarat
Website: https://lamba.center
STEAM Discovery Center aims to help students develop critical 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, visual literacy, and collaboration. Their methodology provides a project-based learning experience aimed at challenging students to think outside the box and propose possible solutions to real-life problems.
Address: The Business Gate, Airport Road, Exit 8
Website: https://steam.worldlearningksa.org/
Incorporating extracurricular activities into your child’s after-school routine offers numerous benefits, from enhancing physical fitness to developing social skills and creativity. With a wide range of options available in schools and throughout Riyadh, there’s something to suit every interest and age group. Enrolling your child in these clubs is a valuable investment that empowers them to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the classroom.
