Every weekday in Santa Barbara, after school activities start up as soon as the final school bell rings. From dance classes to digital editing courses, there are many options for children that fill after school hours.
The time between school letting out and dinnertime is a chance for children to enjoy the many after school activities available in Santa Barbara. With choices ranging from hip hop dance to martial arts there are a number of ways for local youth to enjoy their afternoons while they learn new skills.
There are several groups in town that offer after school programs. The focus of the after school activities is usually twofold: provide a safe, fun place for children to spend after school hours and give them a skill or art that they enjoy.
One of the most active organizations in town providing programs for after school is PAL, the Santa Barbara Police Activities League. They offer art classes, club basketball, digital editing, hip hop dance, martial arts, soccer and a Youth Leadership Council. You can register your child at the PAL office at 222 East Anapumu, Suite 21 and most programs are free.
Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation has a number of youth afterschool programs. Their free junior high afterschool sports groups collaborate with other programs to provide after school sports and special interest clubs. RAP is a recreation afterschool program offered at 6 elementary school sites and has a large number of different activities, and the A-OK! Program focuses on academic growth.
Many local dance and martial arts studios offer programs that teach everything from the basics to specific aspects of everything from tap to karate. Santa Barbara Dance Arts has several excellent offerings and the Linda Vega Dance Studio is world renowned for starting young children in Flamenco dancing. The Cultural School has an after school program in Bully Proof Akido/Ki and Judo that many local children have loved, and Martial Arts Family Fitness has classes for the whole family.
Art is well represented in the range of after school activities offered. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s AfterSchool ArtVentures program is amazing, and Earthlight Pictures teaches moviemaking with tele-classes for 9 year olds to adults. The Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department has an extensive schedule of art classes for after school hours as well.
The time between school letting out and dinner is filled with opportunities for fun. Santa Barbara has many different things for children to do after school, and the wide range of choices combined with the reassurance of having your child in a safe environment makes the afternoon great for everyone.