The school day might end mid-afternoon, but for busy parents, the challenge often begins right after. Between school pick-up, snack time, homework and the inevitable “I’m bored,” those few hours before dinner can feel like a daily puzzle.

If you're searching for after school activities for kids that are fun, easy and require minimal prep, you’re in the right place. These ideas are designed to help your child wind down, get creative and stay engaged, while giving you a moment to catch your breath.

Here are our favourite after school ideas for busy families that are simple, screen-light and perfect for keeping afternoons calm and productive.

1. Create a DIY Art Station

Encourage creativity by setting up a permanent art space with coloured pencils, markers, glue, paper and stickers. Kids can make cards, draw their day or start their own comic book. You can also roll out a long sheet of paper on a table or wall to create a mural they can add to each afternoon. It becomes an ongoing project they’ll feel proud of. This is a great way to unwind after school and build fine motor skills too.

2. Explore Code Camp Free Online Resources

For extra fun and hours of free entertainment, visit Code Camp’s freebies page. You’ll find self-paced coding lessons, free webinars, trivia parties, and a wide range of printables including colouring pages, puzzles, crafts, and other activities designed to keep kids engaged and learning from home. It’s a fantastic, no-cost way to support your child’s creativity and skills.

3. Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen

Turn snack time into an after-school activity. Let kids help prepare simple recipes like fruit skewers, mini sandwiches or homemade trail mix. It’s a great chance to teach independence, and they’re more likely to eat it if they made it.

4. Encourage Independent Quiet Play

After a busy school day, quiet time can help kids reset. Rotate activities like puzzles, Lego, kinetic sand or audiobooks to keep things fresh. You can even create a “calm box” they can reach for after school with their favourite low-energy toys.

5. Find Local Classes with Kidsbook

Looking to mix things up? Kidsbook is a handy tool for discovering after school classes and activities near you. From art and music to sports and science, it’s easy to book and perfect for keeping kids engaged all term long.

6. Create a Build and Play Challenge

Give your child a building challenge using Lego, blocks or recycled materials. For example, can you build a bridge that holds a toy car or create a spaceship using only 20 pieces? It encourages problem solving, creativity and independent play, perfect for those busy afternoons.

7. Build a Mini Obstacle Course

Transform your living room or backyard into a mini adventure. Use cushions, chairs and broomsticks to create a simple obstacle course. Kids can crawl under, jump over and balance through the course, helping them burn off energy in a fun and active way.

8. Start a Daily Drawing Challenge

Give your child a fun drawing prompt each day like “design your own superhero” or “draw what your pet would look like on Mars.” It’s a simple and creative activity that builds focus, imagination and confidence over time.

9. Turn the Outdoors into an Adventure

Fresh air can work wonders after a long day in the classroom. Head to your backyard, balcony or local park and create a simple nature scavenger hunt. Ask your child to find something bumpy, something yellow or something that smells nice.

10. Explore After-School Programs at Code Camp

If your child loves to create, build or explore new tech skills, they’ll love Code Camp’s after-school programs. Designed for kids in Years K–6, there is something for every kid, from Minecraft engineering and coding, to robotics, digital design and activities for curious minds.

👉 Check if Code Camp is running at your school.