After School Clubs in Cheltenham

*Bell rings!*

They’ve finished school and they're keen to get out of their uniforms and play! Luckily, Cheltenham is FULL of fun, friendly after school clubs and activities - teaching everything from art and science, to netball, drama and code. These clubs and classes are a sure fire way to inspire your child’s growing mind and thirst for learning, providing the opportunity to try new activities and improve their social skills.

Here’s our pick of the bunch..

World Jungle After School Club

Cheltenham Borough Homes have teamed up with World Jungle to deliver FREE 8 week after school club for children aged 5+. Come and join the incredible World Jungle for circus skills, giant bubbles, wild play, dance and more. 3:45 to 4:45pm, Wednesdays at Oakley Community Resource Centre. Find out more.

Code Club

Code Club provides children with the opportunity to code, inspiring the next generation to get excited about digital format and computing! These free clubs (for 9-13 year olds) teach Scratch, HTML & CSS, and Python by using step-by-step guides, games, animations, and websites. Coding is gradually introduced to allow children to build their knowledge and confidence, with a range of extra resources, including certificates and posters, as well as competitions and prize draws as incentive! Tuesday’s at Create On The Square and Prestbury Library and Saturday’s at Charlton Kings Library. Find out more.

Art Explorers After School Club

Petite Picasso’s and creative Kahlo's - this one’s for you! The Wilson Art Gallery offer a weekly, arty after-school club to pep up your Wednesday! Developing your artistic skills is definitely a worthwhile practice, encouraging creative thinking, imagination, patience and self-confidence - all transferable skills for secondary school and later life.

Children are encouraged to explore different techniques and media to create a series of mini-masterpieces, and have lots of fun in the process! Workshops are led by an experienced Arts Award assessor, and class attendants work towards 'Arts Award: Discover' over multiple weeks, building a portfolio of work inspired by prominent artists. Wednesday's at 3:45pm - 5:15pm, suitable for ages 7 - 12. Pre-booking advised, £5.50 plus booking. Find out more.

Anneli Dance School

Anneli dance school offers a high level of affordable dance tuition in a laid back, relaxed, community feel. Based in Cheltenham and Brockworth, Anneli currently provide a variety of classes to students of all ages and abilities. With purpose built studios in Cheltenham, Anneli offer 3 equipped studios: fully mirrored, barres, tumble track, beam, vault, fitness equipment and lounge – all designed to provide the students and parents with a friendly and welcoming place to feel at home!

Classes for little ones include Jelly Toots Street Dance (preschool - reception) Monday’s 4pm - 5pm, Motion Infant Contemporary (reception - to year 2) Monday’s 5pm - 6pm, Disney Musical Theatre (preschool to year 2) Wednesday’s 4pm - 5pm, and Mini Wiggle Boppers, Thursday’s 4pm - 5pm. Find out more.

Netball Fun Tots

Catch, Jump, Pass, Run…Shoot! An early start on the courts teaches children the basics of netball, ensuring they stay ahead of the game! Structured classes are taught in a safe, fun environment, relating the fundamentals of netball in a group class with music, dance and games. Children learn to work as a team for a shared goal, improving their relationship development skills and further improving motor skills and hand/eye coordination.

Frog classes suitable for ages 3.5 - 5, and Kangaroos ages 5 - 7. Wednesday's at Bishops Cleeve Primary School (Frogs 3:30pm - 4:15pm, Kangaroos 4:30pm - 5:15pm), Thursday's at Swindon Village Hall (Frogs 4pm - 4:45pm, Kangaroos 5pm - 5:45pm). £5 per class bookable in blocks. Find out more.

Soft Play Sessions

Gardners Lane Children’s Centre has excellent soft play and sensory room facilities. Their one hour sessions are perfect for little ones! Running Tuesday’s and Wednesday's from 3:15pm - 4:15 pm / 4:15pm - 5:15pm and Friday’s at 3:15pm - 4:15pm, £2 per adult and 1 child, 50p for every extra child.

“I loved going to the baby group every Wednesday, the little one really loves the sensory room! Lovely atmosphere, great staff and volunteers.” Theresa Selley. Find out more.

Mini Marines

Give your child a fun and exciting experience whilst developing life skills, good behaviours and positive attitudes, with after school programmes designed and coached by former Royal Marines Commandos! Mini Marines sessions help build confidence through team building and physical activities projects, teaching skills to enhance their learning and concentration.

After school clubs in Cheltenham suitable for ages 5+ (Key Stage 1 & 2) take place on Tuesday’s at Charlton Kings After School Club, 3:15pm - 4:15pm, and Swindon Village After School Club 5pm - 6:30pm, Greatfield Park After School Club on Wednesday’s at 3:15pm - 4:15pm, St Gregory’s Primary School on Thursday’s at 3:15pm - 4:30pm, and St Edwards Prep School on Friday’s 3:45pm - 5pm. Please see individual venues for club prices. Find out more.

Paint-pot

Paint-pot offers creative after school care for primary school children in the Cheltenham area, involving a variety of activities including cooking, basic construction, imaginative play, as well as improving the development of social skills through group interaction. Weekdays 3pm - 6pm, £4.50 per child per hour to those who commit to a termly contract. £5.00 per child per hour for those who require casual bookings. Paint-pot is also registered with various childcare voucher schemes. Find out more.

Celtic Circle

Celtic Circle teaches the fundamentals of traditional Irish dance, including rhythmic timing, correct body position and precise footwork. Students work to master these basic steps before progressing to learn a beginner’s reel, light jig, and slip jig steps, and progressing to rocks, fly jumps, double jumps, crosskeys and bicycles in the skilled stages! Mini Riverdancer's would be suited to the
Novice class, suitable for children ages 5+.

These social, physical and fun sessions are taught in a structured environment, focusing on developing posture, rhythm, basic skills, coordination and confidence with guidance and supervision. No requirement for shoes, uniform or term fees (pay as you go) for the first term. Once dancers are happily settled, progress records are introduced to encourage children to achieve their own maximum potential. The highly popular Novice class takes place at the Playhouse Theatre, Tuesday’s 5pm - 5:45pm. Find out more.

Danceworks Studios Cheltenham

This local dance studio offers a variety of dance classes, taught by skilled professionals with extensive stage experience and training. Danceworks teach all age groups from pre-school, providing options for training professionally, recreationally or to simply obtain a new hobby! An exam curriculum is in place for the serious student, with less structured classes available to view on the timetable, private lessons are also available on request.

Classes help build coordination, poise and balance in a fun and nurturing atmosphere, where children gradually learn the discipline required in class. After school classes for little ones range from Ballet (ages 2.5+), Street (ages 4+), Tap (ages 5+) and Modern (ages 4+), with various levels of age welcome to attend other lessons (see timetable). Find out more.

Leisure At Cheltenham

Whether you're there for learning, play, celebration or time with family and friends, you're bound to enjoy it! Leisure At has a great programme of activities for children throughout the week, suitable for all levels of abilities. As well as the Mini Gym, Bop-a-roo and Mini Movers & Makers, there are also fun, after school sports classes suitable for ages 4+, including Trampolining (Mondays & Thursdays) and Gymnastics (Wednesdays). Find out more.