Growing up in a rural area, I remember options for exploring new hobbies and interests were very limited. Fast forward to today in Utah, I am amazed at how many local resources and opportunities my own children have to explore their talents and find hobbies that peak their interest. We are so lucky!
Having a hobby can provide many benefits for children including improved focus and concentration, increased confidence, better social skills, as well as opportunities for personal growth and fun. Encouraging children to pursue hobbies and interests can help them to develop into well-rounded and fulfilled individuals.
Utah’s culture fosters growth and creativity. We have a wide range of options available. Here are eight new and tried and true hobbies your child can explore!
Art and Painting
Do you have a creative child? Art can help foster your child’s creativity. By creating their own unique artwork, they learn to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and express themselves in a variety of ways. This can lead to problem solving skills and innovation. I don’t know about you, but I find art and painting are really fun and stress relieving! You can find art classes locally at Unicorn Sprinkles and Art in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Martial Arts
Martial arts can benefit kids in several ways. It can help promote physical fitness, enhance focus and self-discipline, build confidence and self-esteem, teach self-defense skills, and promote social skills and teamwork. Through consistent practice, children can develop better balance, coordination, endurance, attention span, decision-making skills, and the ability to set and achieve goals, making it a valuable life skill. At Premier Martial Arts, you’ll find a community of supportive parents and engaged students. We have enjoyed taking our own kids here! Join one of their kick-butt programs near you in Draper, Riverton or Pleasant Grove!
Snapology
Within the last decade, Snapology has grown and offers children an unforgettable experience using LEGO® bricks, technology and other popular building mediums to teach children STEM principles in a fun and engaging way. STEM education provides numerous benefits, including developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enhancing creativity and innovation, preparing students for future careers, fostering collaboration and teamwork, and promoting technological literacy. By engaging in hands-on activities, students can gain valuable skills and knowledge that are essential for success in many fields, including STEM. We offer programs all year round including summer camps for an exciting summer experience!
Magic
Does your child show an interest in tricks? Learning magic can benefit children in various ways, such as improving presentation skills, boosting self-confidence, enhancing creativity and imagination, developing fine motor skills, encouraging perseverance, and fostering social skills. We don’t have to tell you, but magic can be just plain fun! Try a magic class near you with Wacky Wizard kids in Utah and Salt Lake County! He’s sure to entertain!
Theater
Maybe your child is dramatic, in the best way! If so, theater might be a good fit for them! Participating in theater can help children thrive in their communication, confidence and perseverance. It also promotes cultural awareness and understanding, and provides opportunities for personal growth. The best part is seeing them in a play or musical that they worked so hard to prepare for! Most cities and schools have their own theater program like Lehi City Arts.
Coding
Utah has become a tech hub which warrants the nickname “Silicone Slopes. If you ask any child what their parent’s do for a living, at least half the time, they will say something along the lines of engineer or analyst or work for a tech company here in the state. Take your pick, there are too many to count! You can never be too old or too young to learn to code. Try Code Ninjas to get your child down the path of coding!
Chess
Chess doesn’t have to be just for the gifted! At home, we teach all our children to play, even our 4 year old! Playing chess can offer numerous benefits for kids, including enhancing cognitive skills, improving academic performance, teaching patience and perseverance, fostering sportsmanship and fair play, encouraging social interaction, and providing a lifetime of enjoyment. New to the Utah scene- check out Power Chess near you!
Soccer
Looking to dive into soccer? We have great programs available through I9 Sports or through NUCS when it comes to team sports. Soccer is a great way to instill confidence in your child and instill leadership values and sportsmanship as they learn to hone in on their skills. If you think your child can go the distance, Soccer Shots is a great way to learn valuable soccer skills and foster your child’s talent that may not be available in county teams.
No matter what hobby or hobbies your child chooses, they will learn valuable life skills and have fun while doing it!
