While there’s plenty of debate over how much is too much, most people can agree that some sort of extracurricular activity is good for kids. Why? It cuts down on electronics, builds confidence, relieves stress, teaches time management (where homework is concerned), and it expands their horizons by allowing them to explore various interests.

There are certainly plenty of opportunities for kids to participate in team sports after school and on weekends, but what about the non-sports kids, or kids who want or need more variety?

We’ve put together a whole bunch of “beyond team sports” options to explore on both shores, including indoor sports, academics, performing arts, martial arts, and more. Be sure to check their websites for registration periods and deadlines — and don’t forget to check on holiday camps. That season is going to pop up quicker than we think!

Academics/Languages/STEM

Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans)

http://af-neworleans.org/; (504) 568-0770

Casa de Espana (New Orleans)

https://casanola.com/; (985) 664-9793

Bricks for Kidz LEGO Activities (Various locations, both shores)

http://www.bricks4kidz.com/louisiana-covington-mandeville/; (985) 705-0805

IDIYA (New Orleans)

http://myidiya.com/; (504) 252-9327

Learning Etc (Harvey)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Learning-Etc/138406099540347; (504) 328-5535

Phillips Kids Tutoring (Kenner)

http://www.phillipskidstutoring.com/; (504) 305-2322

Spidersmart Learning Center (Jefferson)

https://www.spidersmart.com/; (504) 881-1788

STEM NOLA (New Orleans)

http://www.stemnola.com/;  (504) 391-0760

Sylvan Learning Centers (Mandeville)

http://www.sylvanlearning.com/; (985) 871-9771

Technology & Learning Center (Mandeville)

http://www.spidertechnologysolutions.com/; (985) 778-2828

Vamanos (New Orleans)

http://www.vamonosnola.com/; (504) 495-2345

Combo Facilities (Arts, Sports & Outdoors)

Lakeview Creative Arts (New Orleans)

http://www.lakeviewcreativearts.com/; (504) 288-3124

NORDC New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (Multiple Locations)

http://nordc.org/home/; (504) 658-3052

Pony Tales

http://www.ponytalesbirthdays.com/; (504) 469-0148

YMCA New Orleans (Belle Chasse, Metairie, Covington)

http://www.ymcaneworleans.org/; (504)392-9622 (BC), (985) 893-9622 (Covington), (504) 888-9622 (Metairie)

Cooking

National Food and Beverage Foundation (New Orleans)

http://natfab.org/kids-in-the-kitchen/; (504) 267-7490

Culinary Kids (Mandeville)

http://culinarykidsns.com/; (985) 727-5553

Dance & Performing Arts

Ballet Paetrei (Mandeville)

http://balletapetrei.com/wordpress/; (985) 624-3622

Body Expressions Center of Performing Arts (Mandeville)

https://bodyexpressionsdance.com/; 985-674-2174

Cindy Ory Dance (River Ridge)

https://www.facebook.com/Cindy-Ory-Dance-Studio-140707789283020/; (504) 737-3345

City Park Movement & Art (New Orleans)

http://www.cityparkmovementandart.com/; (504) 390-7482

Conservatory Ballet Aviv (Mandeville)

http://balletaviv.wix.com/balletaviv1; (985) 727-4445

Creative Arts of St. Tammany (Abita Springs)

http://www.dramaandmusic.com/; (985) 276-9727

Creative Dance & Music (Harvey)

http://www.creativedanceandmusic.com/; (504) 390-2552

Dance Company, Ltd (Metairie)

http://www.dancecoltd.com/; (504) 415-6943

Dancer’s Only Dance Studio (Metairie)

http://www.dancers-only.net/; (504) 304-4589

Dancer’s Pointe Dance Studio (Metairie)

http://dancers-pointe.com/; (504) 455-5975

Dance Consortium of Louisiana (Covington)

http://www.thedcla.com/; (985) 234-9451

Debby Dillehay Dancers (Kenner)

http://debbydillehaydance.com/; (504) 468-3368

Drama Kids NOLA (Metairie)

http://dramakids.com/kenner-metairie-new-orleans-la/; (504) 383-5773

Encore Studio of Dance, Tumbling, Music, and Theatre (Harahan)

http://www.dancetumblemusic.com/; (504) 737-5977

Fusion Dance Center (Metairie)

http://fusionpac.vpweb.com/; (504) 461-4757

Himel Dance Conservatory (Marrero)

https://himeldanceconservatory.com/; (504) 298-4743

Lafargue Pianos, Ltd. (Metairie)

http://lafarguepianos.com/; (504) 831-3008

Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts (Covington, Harahan, Mandeville)

http://www.laapa.com/; (985) 590-4545 (Covington); (985) 674-2992 (Mandeville); (504) 738-3050 (Harahan)

Maureen Bersuder Academy of Dance Arts (Slidell)

http://maureenbersuderdance.com/; (985) 863-7048

Mini Art Center (Algiers)

http://www.miniartcenter.com/; (504) 510-4747

New Orleans Ballet Association (New Orleans – Multiple Locations)

http://www.nobadance.com/; (504) 522-0996

New Orleans Children’s Chorus (New Orleans)

http://www.neworleanschildrenschorus.org/; (504) 482-2883

Pembo Cieutat Academy of Dance (Mandeville)

http://www.pembocieutat.com/; (985) 778-6189

Upturn Arts (New Orleans)

http://upturnarts.org/; (504) 390-8399

Gymnastics/Cheer

All-Star Gymnastics (Harvey)

http://allstargymla.com/; (504) 328-3838

New Orleans Outlaws (Kenner)

http://www.neworleansoutlaws.com/; (504) 465-3311

Crescent City Gymnastics (New Orleans)

http://www.crescentcitygymnastics.com/; (504) 861-1740

Encore Studio of Dance, Tumbling, Music, and Theatre (Harahan)

http://www.dancetumblemusic.com/; (504) 737-5977

Ivanovs Gymnastics (Metairie)

http://www.ivanovsgymnastics.com/; (504) 889-9800

Mandeville Sports Complex (Mandeville)

http://mandevillesportscomplex.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx; (985) 727-7277

New Orleans Cheer and Tumble Academy (Harahan)

http://ltcatigers.com/; (504) 733-7811

NOLA Gymnastics

http://www.nolagymnastics.com/; (504) 782-6462

North Shore Gymnastics (Mandeville)

http://www.northshoregymnastics.net/; (985) 624-8310

Kidsports at Ochsner Fitness Center (Harahan)

http://www.ochsnerfitness.com/; (504) 733-1200

 

Sky Zone Metairie Trampoline Park (Metairie)

https://www.skyzone.com/metairie;  (504) 900-9663

Spirit Professionals (Hammond)

http://www.spiritprofessionals.com/; (985) 345-4383

Tumblebus

thetumblebus@bellsouth.net; (504) 621-4617

Martial Arts

Art Monroe’s Taekwondo Plus (Mandeville)

http://trma282.tigerrockmartialarts.com/; (985) 624-3455

Iron Bridge Martial Arts Academy (Mandeville, Covington)

http://karatecovington.com/; (985) 778-2181

Just for Kicks Martial Arts (Mandeville, Chalmette, Covington)

http://just4kicksata.com/; (985) 224-3815

Louisiana Karate Association (Metairie)

http://www.lkakarate.com/; (504) 835-6825

Mike Storms Karate (Mandeville)

http://www.stormskarate.com/; (985) 674-7887

Shogun Martial Arts (Metairie)

http://www.shogunnola.com/; (504) 982-1371

Stephanie Haydel’s Northshore Taekwondo (Mandeville)

http://www.northshoretkd.com/; (985) 778-0750

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of New Orleans (Metairie)

http://trma340.tigerrockmartialarts.com/; (504) 831-1110

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of the West Bank (Gretna)

http://www.westbanktigerrock.com/; (504) 394-0008

Yonsei Martial Arts Academy (Kenner)

http://www.yonsei.us/; (504) 465-5353

XS Martial Arts Dojo (New Orleans)

https://www.xsmad.com/; (504) 558-9850

Swimming

Little Fins Swim Academy (Harahan)

http://www.littlefins.net/; (504) 416-0431

Mandeville Sports Complex (Mandeville)

http://mandevillesportscomplex.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx; (985) 727-7277

Mr. Fish (Metairie)

http://www.mrfish.biz/general_information.html; (504) 455-4101

Northshore Swim (Mandeville)

http://www.northshoreswim.com/; (985) 626-9456

Ochsner Kidsports Elmwood (Harahan)

http://www.ochsnerfitness.com/; (504) 733-1200

Pelican Athletic Club (Mandeville)

http://www.thepac.com/; (985) 626.3706

Visual Arts

Art Time (Mandeville)

http://www.arttime.biz/; (985) 674-2023​

City Park Movement & Art (New Orleans)

http://www.cityparkmovementandart.com/; (504) 390-7482

Mini Art Center (Algiers)

http://www.miniartcenter.com/; (504) 510-4747

NOLA Wax Hands (New Orleans)

http://www.nolawaxhands.com; (504) 828-7567

Posh Paint Pub

http://www.poshpaintpub.com/; (504) 835-4155

St. Tammany Art Association (Covington, Mandeville)

http://www.sttammanyartassociation.org/; (985) 892-8650

String A Bead (Metairie)

http://www.stringabead.com/; (504) 780-7575

Studio Kids! At New Orleans Museum of Art (New Oreans)

https://noma.org/; (504) 658-4100

Upturn Arts (New Orleans)

http://upturnarts.org/; (504) 390-8399