How To Pick One Extracurricular When Your Child Wants To Try Everything

Nurturing your child's curiosity is a magical part of parenting, but indulging every extracurricular request can be overwhelming. In theory, limiting their choices down to one or two is smart, but that's often easier said than done — especially when their peers are booked, busy, and having a blast. According to the National Survey of Children's Health, nearly 78% of children ages 6 to 17 participate in at least one organized extracurricular activity. 

The issue, of course, isn't taking up a new hobby. The problems arise once everyone is stretched too thin when balancing busy schedules and covering extra costs. In another survey conducted by LendingTree, parents said they spend an average of $731 on each child per year on extracurriculars. That's to say nothing of the summer camps that often feel required to supplement school-time activities. 

I'm the first to admit my kids do too much. What started as a few requests to try new things has spiraled into multiple activities spread throughout the week. However, I've learned a trick you can use to help your child narrow down their interests to one extracurricular — I always first ask if we can book a trial session. When available, these free "taster classes" are an easy, budget-friendly way to see if your child actually enjoys the experience rather than the idea of it. Of course, there have been plenty of times when I was positive they'd come out saying it's a pass. Yet instead, they've been fired up to go back the next week — and that's when I know it's time to put our heads together and talk logistics.

There are so many reasons to let your child sign up for activities outside of school. It can expand their social circle, build confidence, and introduce important concepts like discipline and time management. But being over-scheduled can also lead to burnout, and for kids, that can easily spiral into exhaustion and overwhelm, as well as self-doubt.

The first thing you should do is have a conversation with your child and encourage them to narrow down their activity wishlist to things that truly inspire excitement. For my kids, that meant focusing on things under the umbrella of music and performance. (It's at this stage where those "taster classes" can come in handy as well.) As they get older, it's also a good idea to consider future plans, but this is where parents often fall into the trap of over-scheduling. While colleges love a well-rounded applicant, they're also looking for students who showcase aptitude for their activities. Participating in a bunch of extracurriculars without well-developed skills can be a red flag for some schools. 

Even if you're not thinking that far into the future just yet, narrowing your child's focus to one or just a few activities can still help your sanity in terms of scheduling, as well as your wallet. If they're old enough, have real conversations about sticking to a reasonable budget, or look at free and low-priced options that align with your schedules. Finally, if you notice any signs that their excitement is dropping, let them know it's okay to step back if they need or want to. Understanding balance, self-care, and knowing what your mind and body needs is just as important as any extracurricular skill.