Looking for low-prep (& calming) after-school activities for kids? You’ve come to the right place! Children come home dysregulated and hangry. This is normal and can catch us by surprise. As soon as my boys enter our house, I have three goals: feed them, connect, and offer something to help redirect energy. These 10 low-prep after-school activities (indoor and out) will calm your afternoon and help give everyone a little space to feel themselves. I also added some of my favorite tips to give a little more insight into how to help everyone feel successful after a long day.
RELATED: Have a first-time kindergartener? Read this Parent’s Guide to Kindergarten.
Kids can help unpack
Before two of mine decided to buy school lunch, I had three kids coming in with three dirty lunchboxes and containers. What’s the outcome? A LOT of items to wash after school.
Rather than take on the responsibility of emptying the lunchbox, I gladly pass this task on to the boys. Before the boys get home, I fill the sink with water and a little soap.
Follow these steps for kids to help after school:
- Add soap and water to your sink before your child gets home.
- When your child arrives, invite them to take out their lunchbox.
- Toss any wrappers in the garbage.
- Toss snack containers or lunch containers into the sink.
- Add the water bottle into the sink if empty.
Favorite snack and lunch containers
Doing this first thing helps my children build a routine of being a helper right after school. It takes the task of me digging through backpacks and reminds them of the effort that goes into working together as a team.
I’ve included some of our favorite school lunch containers below.
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Sistema Snack Container
We use this snack container for popcorn, chips, veggies, and anything the boys want to bring to school for a snack.
Sistema Bento Box
I like the size of this Bento Box. I keep fruit or cut oranges on the bottom section to prevent other things from getting soggy. It works well!
Pro Tip: Feed your child after school
As a teacher, I was STARVING by the end of the day. Why? Because there was likely an 11:10 “lunch” that didn’t hold me over until 3 PM. It is also likely that your child will come home the same way. So let’s greet them with a snack after they clean out thier lunchboxes. I like to offer carbs and proteins, and they typically add a sweet treat to go along with it.
RELATED: Back to school with a food allergy? You must read my parent’s guide to returning to school with a food allergy.
What should I be doing with my kids after school?
Ever wonder, what should I be doing with my kids after school? If your children come home from school a little off, I want you to think of survival needs (eat, sleep, poop) that may need to be met. As a former teacher, and mom of three, my immediate goals are to feed them, calm them, and give them an outlet to unwind. And since, likely, they haven’t pooped at school, I encourage that as well. (I mean, it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t address this too)
Next, think about how you feel after parenting or being at work. Do you jump in a hot shower? Are you ready to run out the door for a quick workout? Perhaps you want just 30 minutes of Real Housewives or read a book without background noise. (this is my favorite list of back-to-school books for kids)
You guessed it. Kids need that too. You know your child best.
It may also be a show. It may be meeting children at the playground to move their bodies. And it may be a no-prep activity that kids can dive into and work through thoughts and emotions.
Whichever you choose, choose it without guilt. Do what helps your child decompress.
PRO TIP: Include at least an hour of independent free play. School is very structured and children need time to create and play their way.
10 Popular after-school activities
Popular after-school activities involve movement, art, reading, and sensory play. These different play activities help children regulate emotions and be creative after a long and structured school day. Here are our top ten after-school activities for kids.
Explore Clay and Play Dough
Channel emotions, confusion from the day, and energy into art! We love this air-dry clay for kids that you can buy on Amazon. Wait a day and paint it!
I wrote this post about using clay with kids to help guide you along.
Take a Bath
My child may initially resist, but bathing can be a game-changer. Here are a few favorite toys we toss in the bath to change the typical routine. Here are my favorite bath toys for kids.
- Funnels
- Play Food
- Race cars
- Foam blocks
- Duplos
- Jumbo Droppers
Save Time for Free Play
Sometimes our days are so busy. There is homework, sports, and after-school chaos. Carving out protective time to free play is necessary for children to have a creative outlet to express themselves. Here are 50 play ideas for kids to spark ideas.
Go Outside
Like free play, please use it if you have the space to go outside. Most schools will have indoor recess if the playground is too wet or cold. Children need time to go outside and connect with nature.
Here are 25+ gross motor activities for kids. (inside and outside)
Play with Kinetic Sand
The other day my kindergartener was playing with kinetic sand. He looked at me and told me how the sand helps him calm down. Wow. What a powerful reflection!
Remember to use Beach Kinetic Sand because it cleans up better!
Make Watercolors from Old Markers
Do your kids forget to put the caps back on the markers? Yep, mine do too. But now, when you find a dried-out marker, save it in a bin to make watercolors. Add to a squirt bottle and go squirt the ice. Here is how to recycle markers into watercolors.
Play with Magnetic Tiles
Tried and true, we will most likely take our magnetic tiles to college. All joking aside, magnetic tiles make the best open-ended toy for kids.
RELATED: Art is another terrific way to wind down after school. Take a peek at our Art Cart!
Paint Rocks
Did you know you can paint nature? The boys enjoy collecting a few items to bring back and paint. It makes for a great two-for-one activity!
Find our favorite supplies in this how to paint with kids guide.
RELATED: If you enjoy painting, you will love these 40 easy painting activities for kids.
Ride Bikes
Inside this post about bikes for kids, you will learn the best age for balance bikes, how to encourage using a balance bike, how to find the correct size bike for your child, and the best biking accessories. Grab your coffee. This is the best post for learning about bikes for kids.
Explore a Shaving Cream Sensory Bin
I created a shaving cream roundup of activity ideas because they never disappoint. A simple change into swimsuits and playing near a hose helps make cleanup a breeze.
RELATED: Want to spice up your kinetic sand with some creative ideas? Check out these 20 Kinetic Sand Activities.
For even more low-prep ideas, be sure to check out the following:
What after-school routines or activities have you found helpful with kids at home?
Empower your child with skills to thrive.
24 low-prep activities and relatable conversation starters that equip kids for life.
- Order the easy-to-follow activity cards.
- Build the foundation for social-emotional learning.
- Notice a shift in self-confidence and self-regulation as you and your child implement what you practice.
FAQ
After school, think of survival needs (eat, sleep, poop) that may need to be met. As a former teacher, and mom of three, my immediate goals are to feed them, calm them, and give them an outlet to unwind. And since, likely, they haven’t pooped at school, I encourage that as well. (I mean, it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t address this too)
Popular after-school activities involve movement, art, reading, and sensory play. These different play activities help children regulate emotions and be creative after a long and structured school day. Here are our top ten after-school activities for kids.
It is helpful for rising kindergartners to practice opening lunch boxes, snack containers, and yogurts. We AREN’T going to panic and frantically share with our kids that they MUST open it all. Instead, try putting everyday lunch in the lunchbox during mealtime for a fun change. Show your child how to pull apart chips, crackers, and peel fruit packaging. Allow your food allergy time to practice setting up their lunch space with a napkin. Roleplay, go to the other side of the room pretending to be busy and then notice their hand. Walk over and say, oh, you must need help. Say, “How can I help you?” to allow your child to use their voice and explain what they need help with.
Make this fun! Keeping this casual and easy-breezy will give you insight into what to pack – or what may need more practice before putting it inside the lunchbox.
Small steps, in a casual way, will help a lot in that first week.
