Fun After-School Activities for Teens in Nashua, NH

Extracurricular activities for teens can help them learn new skills, build confidence and work out stress in a healthy environment. Many after-school activities challenge teens to think critically, expanding their minds in ways that complement their schoolwork and help prepare them for the future. 

While many parents may wish they could stay little forever, teens are learning to be adults. As a parent, you can promote responsibility and self-development in your teen by letting them branch out with after-school activities. These seven fun after-school activities for teens promote independence, prioritize healthy social connections and offer stress relief.

Best After-School Activities for Teens

There are countless fun things to do after school in Nashua. Some teens may thrive in one-on-one lessons, while others will enjoy group activities where they can compete while being social. The best clubs for teens in Nashua, New Hampshire, are whichever clubs push them outside their comfort zones just enough for personal growth. Here are seven ideas to help students and parents find fun things for teens to do!

1. Join a Debate Club

Debate clubs offer teens a fantastic way to build confidence, develop their critical thinking skills and practice assertiveness. They’ll learn to respectfully disagree with others, state and defend their opinions, and communicate ideas clearly. 

Good posture and a confident stance are part of learning to debate well. Teens will also develop emotionally, learning to regulate emotional responses to disagreements, combat fears of public speaking and accept defeat. Joining a debate club can cultivate a growth mindset, equipping teens to see learning as a process that involves failing forward. The skills they gain from debate will benefit them in whatever career they pursue!

2. Take a Self-Defense Class

Self-defense classes teach students to be aware of their surroundings and how to react when faced with danger. They can equip teens to have higher self-confidence and develop their physical strength. Self-defense classes can also reduce anxiety, encourage teens to exercise more often and prepare them with the right steps to de-escalate dangerous situations.

There are many types of self-defense classes, including boxing, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. Each type teaches a different approach to self-protection, combining mental and physical preparation. These classes are especially good for women, but they’re also a great way for teenage boys to channel their energy in a good direction. 

3. Learn a Musical Instrument

There are so many benefits to studying music that it’s challenging to list them all. Taking music lessons, joining a choir or playing in an orchestra are all wonderful ways to develop your teen’s creative ability. Learning to play an instrument develops coordination, attention to detail and time management skills. 

Playing music is fun, it’s a way to connect with others and it builds confidence as your teen sees their skill level grow. Playing an instrument can reduce stress and lower blood pressure. It makes us feel happier! Although there is a learning curve, learning to play an instrument is well worth the time investment. 

4. Go Axe-Throwing Weekly With Friends

Has your teen ever gone axe-throwing? This activity is awesome for reducing stress in a safe environment. It builds physical skills like strength and coordination and can improve your teen’s confidence. Axe-throwing is a social activity that’s even more fun with a group of friends. 

With regular sessions, your teen will improve their throwing skills over time. They’ll bond with friends and can look forward to the weekly stress relief. In addition to enjoying endorphins from physical activity, teens will also experience laughter and good conversation when they go axe-throwing. 

5. Volunteer in the Community 

Community service is a wonderful way to spend after-school time. This activity teaches civic responsibility, showing teens firsthand how important it is for everyone to be involved in the local community. Types of community service include tutoring other students, helping at homeless shelters, joining a cleanup program or volunteering at a nursing home. 

Volunteering can help teens develop a sense of place and understand the value they can bring to others. It also puts them in contact with others with varying life experiences, widening their perspective on life and the ups and downs we all experience. Getting teens involved in community service early will encourage them to continue this good habit for the rest of their lives. 

6. Join a Local Reading Club

Does your teen love reading? Is this a skill they need to build before college? Joining a reading club can help your teen prioritize reading in their weekly schedule. Reading leads to many benefits for people, both mentally and emotionally. Here are just a few: 

• Improved brain function
• Increased empathy
• Improved intelligence
• Better comprehension
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease

In addition, reading can relax you. It’s a wonderful way to connect with others, learn about the past and gain knowledge to navigate the future. If you can’t find a reading club locally, why not start one? To go deeper into each book, talk through discussion questions and respond to what you’ve read with writing.

7. Take Social Dance Lessons

Social dance includes styles like swing dancing, square dancing, line dancing and more. These dance forms are considered social because the classes focus on connecting with others rather than on performing. Most social dance classes can be attended by individuals, with partners switching throughout the class. 

When your teen attends a social dance class, they’ll build communication skills, coordination and confidence. Dancing lessons combine several of the best stress relievers — music, movement and laughter. The right group can help your teen build a community outside of school and provide a safe environment for improving social anxiety. 

Relieve Stress at Axel’s Throw House

Looking for fun indoor activities for teens? Check out Axel’s Throw House. We have the best axe-throwing venue in Nashua, with individual lanes and high-quality wood targets. Once you master throwing at the regular target, you can try one of our projected games for a harder challenge. Our family-friendly premier axe-throwing lounge offers comfortable seating, air conditioning and snacks.

To get started, our “axeperts” will help you learn what you need to know to hit targets with higher precision and accuracy. Your teen can come after school with friends, or you can make weekly axe-throwing a new family tradition. All minors who participate must be accompanied by an adult and have their waivers signed by a parent or guardian.

Book with Axel’s Throw House for a next-level after-school experience!