After School Activities for kids
Growing up in Bundaberg I danced, I played Softball and basketball and rode my bike. Naturally, when it was time for me to look for after school programs for my children, I was drawn to the same things I liked to do as a kid.
Perhaps your child is the next Monet, or maybe they are heading to the next Commonwealth Games? I realised after trying a few different classes I was a completely different child to my child! My child enjoys art, music, and individual sports. I had to reevaluate my ambitions for my child and focus on what it was they were interested in, as opposed to what I thought they should focus on. In the end I want them to enjoy and experience different things, to give them the opportunity to grow and develop skills outside of home and school life. I found putting some structure around choosing an extracurricular activity helped;
Where suitable, get your child involved in choosing their activity. Discuss with your child and work out what you are looking for? Is it a Sport, Art, Music, Outdoors, Cooking.
Make sure the activity suits you too in terms of cost, convenience and other factors – no child wants a resentful, cranky and overtired parent.
Check that the activity has kids of similar ages and skill levels to yours, so they don’t get bored or lose confidence.
Ask if the activity offers free trial lessons – even if they don’t offer it off the bat, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Check out what is on offer at your child’s school, local community centre, church or library. You’d be surprised what cheap and easy options are right at your doorstep.
Here are some suggestions on after school activities. classes and programs in Bundaberg. Most of these we have tried out. Add to the list, let us know what you have tried or what after school activity your Wide Bay Kids love to do.
Gymnastics
Martial Arts
Chess Club
Dance
Nature Play
Gamers Group
Book Club
Ten Pin Bowling
Code Club
Art Classes
Cooking
Gymnastics
Gymnastics provides a great foundation for ALL sports. Gymnastics develops strength, flexibility, balance, agility and coordination, all the skills needed for sports like hockey, basketball, volleyball and football.
Whether you become a competitive gymnast or participate in other competitive sports, gymnastics gives you a great foundation to succeed!
Gymfinity in East Bundaberg opened in January 2012 with a full Jansen Fritsen gym they have provided a world class facility right here in Bundaberg. They offer classes from 2 years to adults with options in recreational and competitive to help you achieve all that is possible in the sport.
Where: Gymfinity Gymnastics - Contact local owners Tracy and Tony today
Martial Arts
Rhee Tae Kwon Do Bundaberg is owned and operated by Instructors Nathan and Nicole Van der Klugt. They operate out of 3 locations in the Bundaberg region, Central, North and West Bundaberg. The headquarters in Electra Street Bundaberg central offer kids classes for primary school aged kids, Family Classes for 6+ and Pee Rhees Classes for 3-5 years olds. Family classes are available at the North Bundaberg State High School Hall and Kids classes at West Bundaberg’s St Patrick’s Church Hall.
Rhee Tae Kwon Do Bundaberg has multiple options available for students to attend more than on location with their monthly membership.
Where: Rhee TaeKwonDo Bundaberg
Chess Club
Chess clubs are a place where people with an interest in the game can go to socialise and compete.
It's always great when you meet another chess fan, especially if they're nice enough share their knowledge of different openings or give strategy advice!
Chess is often thought of as a highly intellectual game, but that doesn't mean it can’t also be fun. Come join us for an afternoon playing some chess!
When: every second Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Where: Bundaberg Library,49 Woondooma Street, Bundaberg Central, QLD 4670
Cost: Free
Dancing Classes
TNT Dance Studio offers classes and performance opportunities to students in Dance, Speech and Singing. Dance includes; ballroom, disco, rap, break-dancing, excise-a-dance, street dancing, line dancing, tap, jazz ballet, hip hop, contemporary, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, and Acrobatics.
Dancing at TNT is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn the beauty of the arts, have fun, and gain confidence and a love for dance.
Where: TNT Dance Studio
Nature Play
The passionate and experienced early childhood professionals at Wild Gully Therapy & Nature Play have developed meaningful and goal based activities for clients in nature.
By learning and immersing ourselves in nature, experiencing the sensory wonders of the outdoors, Wild Gully believes it opens opportunities to nurture for play and exploration. Wild Gully Therapy & Nature Play share their passions of nature play and therapy and dementia with the Bundaberg Community. They offer Nature Play sessions for families with children to explore the wonderment of nature, as well as offering NDIS and elderly clients a safe space to participate in therapy sessions. There are a range of sessions to choose from before, during and after school as well as popular school holiday sessions.
Wild Gully believes we are all born Wild! They wish we could all learn and grow in nature together. Contact Leanne and the team at Wild Gully Therapy and Nature Play.
Where: Wild Gully Therapy & Nature Play
Gamers Group
Come hang out with other gamers in this community! This group is for people who love playing video games, talking about them or meeting new friends. All ages are welcome to attend and there won't be any pressure on you - if your child wants to play then they will enjoy themselves without feeling like it's something special because of their age.
There’s nothing better than taking part in activities that give kids skills so when school starts up again they know where they can find some helpful tips. Over time you will have an opportunity to be involved with the following:
=> World building
=> Virtual Reality
=> Various PC and mobile games
=> Live streaming
- Where: Bundaberg Library,49 Woondooma Street, Bundaberg Central, QLD 4670
- Cost: Free
Book Club for Kids
Collide your love of reading with other book lovers to create new memories! Get together in a room full of books, trade stories and do fun activities! This idea sounds perfect for the after school programs.
The Gin Gin Kids' Book Club is a fun way for kids to learn about books and reading. They will enjoy activities like reviewing their favourite book or taking part in challenges that encourage creativity!
When: 1st Thursday of the month (excluding public and school holidays) at 3.15 – 4.15 pm
Where: Gin Gin Community Hub, 4 Dear Street, Gin Gin
Cost: Free
Ten Pin Bowling
Tenpin bowling is a sport that all people, of all ages and abilities can do and enjoy! Bundy Bowl and Leisure has 16 lanes for tenpin bowling with ramp access for those in a wheelchair. We have regular weekly fixtures called leagues that are open to all! BUT if you just want to come in socially with some friends, you can do that too!
Tenpin bowling is a great option for your children’s sport, with competitions running all year round. It’s a great source of exercise for your little ones (and not so little ones) which helps them build their sporting and social skills. Kids bowling really is the ultimate, all year round sport in Bundaberg!
Bundy Bowl Bundy Bowl offers many benefits to joining a Team League, discount equipment from our Pro Shop, discounted bowling and various other member benefits are on offer.
Where: Bundy Bowl & Leisure Centre
Coders Club
You'll never run out of inspiration at the Bundaberg Library! Join us for our next Kids Code Club! Block-based coding workshop where you can learn how to code and get assistance from experts in a safe, supportive environment. All ages are welcome--no matter your skill level or experience with programming languages—to explore this new world without boundaries on what's possible because we're here as partners who believe everyone deserves access to success through tech education no matter their background.
When: every second Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Where: Bundaberg Library,49 Woondooma Street, Bundaberg Central, QLD 4670
Cost: Free
Art Classes
Once Designs Art Studio specialises in children’s art education with kids art classes in Bundaberg. Owned and operated by Amy Lawley, a qualified and registered teacher with a passion for the arts.
Once Designs Art Studio provides a safe, fun and supportive space where kids can express themselves through art. The studio encourages kids to learn and build relationships while doing something they love.
If you are looking for art and craft classes for children, messy art for under school aged children, weekly and casual classes for primary aged children along with school holiday classes and workshops contact Once Designs.
Where: Once Designs Art Studio
Cooking with the Salvos
A hands on cooking program for kids in years 3-6 run by The Salvation Army. It includes basic cutting, cooking and cleaning skills aimed at kids aged 8-12 years old.
The cost of the course is $50 (or $5 a week) for the term, this includes a meal each week, badges for each recipe, a cookbook and an apron at the end of the term.
Kids will learn:
- To prepare simple meals from scratch
- Proper use of a knife
- How to clean up
- Kitchen safety
- Teamwork
Where: The Salvation Army, 110 McCarthy Rd
Cost: $5 per week and includes dinner each week, apron and a cookbook at graduation.
