How to Set Up a Kids Group: After-School Club Success

If you’re thinking of starting a kids group after school, you’re not alone. Plenty of parents and teachers spot a need—maybe the kids are bored, or you just want to give them something fun and safe to do once the bell rings. But where do you actually start?

Step one: decide exactly what the group will be about. Is it crafts? Science? Sports? Or maybe just a place for free play and homework help? Pinning this down first makes everything else a lot easier. Ask a few parents and kids what they’d love to do. Don’t guess. Their answers might surprise you.

Next, you need a little backup. Enlist another adult or two who can help run things. Juggling ten energetic kids by yourself is a recipe for stress. People are usually happy to help if you just ask—especially when they know what the club is for and when it meets. The more hands you have, the smoother things will go.

• Finding Your Focus and Gathering Support
• Picking the Right Space and Tools
• Planning Activities Kids Love
• Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Finding Your Focus and Gathering Support

If you want an after-school kids group that actually lasts, start with a clear focus. This isn't about coming up with a show-stopping theme—it's about knowing why you’re doing this and what the kids will get out of it. Kids stay interested when there’s something real to look forward to: maybe art, coding, soccer, or just a safe spot to hang out. Try a quick poll with parents and kids. Even a group chat works. You’re more likely to get buy-in if people feel heard before you put anything in stone.

Don’t try to run everything solo. The sweet spot is 2-3 reliable adults or older teens for every group of 12-15 kids (yep, there’s a reason most schools use this ratio). Having backup cuts down on chaos and keeps things safe.

Here’s what you should do first:

1. Send out a short note or survey to parents—ask what days work, things their kids like, and if they want to help out.
2. Have a quick coffee meet-up or a call with potential volunteers. Find out what skills or interests they bring. Someone handy with crafts? Score. Somebody happy to run around outside? Even better.
3. Make a simple group chat or email list to share info from the start. Transparency helps everyone stay in the loop, and parents like updates.

Heads up: according to last year’s UK survey by the National AfterSchool Association, about 72% of successful clubs were started by two or more adults, not just one hero carrying the load. That same survey found that the biggest roadblock wasn’t money, but lack of helpers.

The people who help you out won’t always need to be present every time. A small roster lets you cover sick days or last-minute things that pop up. Getting this team on board at the start will make the rest so much easier.

Picking the Right Space and Tools

Finding the perfect spot is one of the most practical decisions for any kids group. Your club needs enough room for everyone to move around without bumping into each other—or kitchen furniture. School classrooms work because they're already designed for kids, but you can also make good use of community centers, church halls, or even someone’s backyard if the weather holds up.

There are a few must-checks before you settle on a space:

• Safety first. Make sure there are no sharp corners, tripping hazards, or unlocked cabinets with cleaning supplies. Have a first-aid kit close by, always.
• Enough toilets nearby. Even if you’ve only got a handful of kids, bathroom breaks can catch you off guard.
• Easy in, easy out. Parents need to pick up and drop off kids without traffic jams or complicated directions.
• Proper lighting and ventilation. Dim or stuffy rooms are guaranteed to sour the mood.

Once the space is set, you don’t need to buy out an entire craft store. Start with a basic kit. Here’s what most after-school clubs find essential:

• Tables and chairs (portable ones work if you’re short on storage)
• Pens, pencils, markers, crayons, glue, and paper for simple activities
• Sports or playground gear like balls, cones, or jump ropes
• A lockable closet or bin for supplies—kids love to explore, but some things are better stashed away

When in doubt, ask what the school or community center can provide. About 68% of after-school clubs in a 2023 UK survey used existing school furniture and leftover supplies for their start-up sessions.

Don’t forget basic cleaning stuff for the end of the day. Wet wipes, bin liners, and a broom keep everyone happy—especially whoever’s locking up. If you’re new, it can help to print a checklist and run through setup and cleanup with your helpers until it’s second nature.

Planning Activities Kids Love

Let’s be honest—keeping kids interested is half the battle. The trick is planning stuff that’s easy to set up, safe, and actually fun. Here’s how you get that right without breaking the bank or losing your mind.

Start with a mix. Some kids are into crafts, some want to run around, and a few just want to chill with board games. Offering a little of everything over a month keeps everyone happy. According to a 2023 survey by the Afterschool Alliance, over 70% of kids said variety was the number one thing they loved about their clubs. So, switching it up works.

• Kids group activities can be planned around themes—think "science week," "outdoor adventures," or "art explosion." Themes make it easier to plan and get the kids excited, since there’s something to look forward to.
• Don’t forget about free choice time. Studies show giving kids even 10–15 minutes to pick their own activity reduces behavior issues. It also helps you spot what’s really working.
• Involve the kids in planning. Ask for their ideas at the end of each session. You’ll get suggestions you’d never think of—like a homemade obstacle course or a DIY comic book station.
• Stick to simple supplies. The classics—colored paper, balls, puzzles, LEGOs—still get the most use. No need for fancy gear. Plus, it’s much easier to clean up.

Here’s how activity preferences break down for most after-school clubs:

Remember, it’s okay if not every activity is a hit. Watch for what gets the most smiles and laughs. That’s your clue for what to do more of next time. The best feedback is the kids coming back week after week, dragging their friends along.

Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Starting a kids group is one thing—keeping it ticking week after week is the real challenge. The magic is in the details, and those details make all the difference between chaos and a club that kids actually look forward to.

First off, routines are key. Don’t reinvent the wheel each time. Kids do better when they know what to expect, so stick to a simple schedule. For example, every session could kick off with a check-in circle, then a main activity, and end with a short snack break. This isn’t just about order. Routines cut down on the "but what now?" moments and help anxious kids feel grounded.

Communication with parents is a must. Parents want to know what their kids are up to and if there are any changes. Use a messaging app or group email for updates on sessions or reminders about what to bring. If you have a quick survey here and there about what’s working, you’ll pick up ideas you wouldn’t think of yourself. A 2023 poll from ParentKind found that 68% of parents are more likely to send their kids to after-school clubs when clear info is shared in advance.

It’s also smart to set some ground rules at the start—think basic stuff like respect, sharing, and listening. Don’t make a lecture out of it. Instead, get the kids to help decide the rules so they feel some ownership. If problems come up (and they will), having agreed ground rules makes fixing things a lot less awkward.

Keep a backup plan for days when an activity just flops or kids arrive in a mood. A quick outdoor game, some simple coloring sheets, or even a "quiet corner" space can save the day. Always have a Plan B ready to go.

Track what works and what bombs. You don’t need fancy software—a cheap notebook or a spreadsheet works. Write down headcounts, favorite activities, and what snacks go untouched. Here’s a real-life sample club record from an actual group:

One last thing: put safety first. Always have a way for parents to reach you, know basic first aid, and have a list of food allergies handy. Most importantly, make sure every adult helper has had a background check. After-school club safety isn’t just paperwork—it’s peace of mind for everyone.

No one expects perfection, not even the kids. If you stick to routines, loop in parents, and keep an eye on what actually works, your kids group can keep running smoothly long after the first excited session.