One word for extracurricular activities

How do you like to spend your time after school? Did you know that how you choose to spend this time could be one of the most important ways you shape your future?

Extracurricular activities are a critical component of your college application, and you need to impress colleges with your interests. But you might not know what good extracurricular activities look like or what you should be spending your time on.

We’ve got you covered here in our guide of hundreds of examples of extracurricular activities. Read on to get some inspiration for how to spend your valuable free time during high school!

What Is An Extracurricular Activity?

An extracurricular activity can be almost anything that isn’t required for high school credit or paid employment that you do while you’re in high school. These activities will become very important later, such as when you are applying to colleges, because they help you develop your talents, interests, and passions. They can also teach you practical skills like time management.

With so many options out there, all students should be able to find an extracurricular that they are interested in and can develop a passion for!

Remember that extracurricular activities do not have to be sponsored by your school, so you should also consider things that you do with your family or within your community as viable options.

Below I’ve listed many popular activities that you may not have thought of as extracurricular activities. Take a look at the list and see if your activities are already on the list, or if anything you hadn’t considered before catches your eye.

Of course, this list isn’t complete, because you can turn almost any interest into an extracurricular. If you are actively involved in something that you don’t see here—meaning you spend a significant amount of time doing an activity that is allowing you to develop a talent or interest, be a leader, or help out your community—then you should definitely consider that an extracurricular activity, as well!

What doesn’t necessarily count as an extracurricular? Any interest of yours that’s very self-centered is probably not going to make the cut.

An extracurricular should be an activity that demonstrates a talent or primarily contributes value to other people. If you have to really contort to find justification for something being an extracurricular (my taking drivers ed will make the roads safer for everyone! Keeping my vaccinations up to date helps immunocompromised people!), then chances are, it won’t count as an extracurricular.

There’s a spectrum here, though—for example, improving your hair quality or braiding hair for fun isn’t really an extracurricular. But starting a YouTube channel around beauty tips or creating a club for teen health enthusiasts definitely does.

But if you’re still unsure if something counts as an extracurricular, or you need some inspiration, then read on for our complete list of extracurricular activities.

How Should You Use This Extracurricular Activities List?

Not sure how you should use this list of extracurriculars? Just follow the six steps outlined in this section, and you’ll be on your way to choosing the best extracurricular for you!

Step 1: Brainstorm Extracurricular Ideas

What are your interests? Have you always wanted to try out something related to art, but weren’t sure if it would be worth your time, or if it would be viewed favorably by a college admissions team? Keep in mind that colleges don’t really care about what kind of activity you are doing—instead, they want to see that you are doing something that you are passionate about. So make a list of all of your interests—both things that you are already interested in and other areas that intrigue you and you’d like to learn more about.

Step 2: See Which Extracurriculars Fit Your Interests

Look through the list below and see if any of the activities match your interests. You may see some ways that you hadn’t thought of before to pursue an interest! Keep in mind that there can be a lot of different outlets for each interest you have. For example, if you want to play an instrument, you can take private classes, play in your school’s marching band, play in a community concert band, or work as part of the orchestra for your school’s next musical.

Step 3: Research Different Extracurricular Options

Research to see if these activities are available at your high school or in your community. If there is something you are very passionate about that’s not already offered, consider starting up a group of your own. But if you aren’t sure that the interest will stick and you only want to try it out, it’s probably best to find a different outlet for your curiosity.

Step 4: Join Some Activities

The next step is to start doing activities! But how many should you do? If you are a freshman, I would recommend trying out a bunch of different activities—up to ten if there are that many you have an interest in. The idea at this stage is to sample a variety of extracurriculars. Once you start to get an idea of which activities are going to really help you develop the interests you are most passionate about, you can dedicate more time to those and drop the others.

Step 5: Narrow Down Your Extracurriculars

If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior, you should hopefully already have an idea of the kinds of activities that you want to focus on. Make a list of the top five activities that interest you. If you have the time to try out all five, go for it. This will give you a bit of time to experiment and see what’s most of interest. If you don’t have time, try to narrow down your top five to three activities.

Step 6: Increase Your Impact in a Few Activities

Remember to not spread yourself too thin, especially if you are above freshman year. It’s more important to spend significant time in each activity than it is to have a long list of activities. Choose activities that will allow you to make a meaningful impact, either in your own development, or in the community.

Extracurriculars List by Category

This list is organized into categories to make finding an activity that matches your interests easier. However, we recommend at least skimming all the extracurricular options below, even if you think they’re categories you’re not interested in. You never know what might catch your eye!

Note: not all schools will offer formal clubs in all these categories. If you see something you’re interested in that your school doesn’t offer, try joining a community group or even a national or online group to explore the interest further! Many of these topics are available as summer camp activities, as well.

You can also consider starting a club at your school if you are looking for a way to get involved in something you are interested in while also showing leadership and initiative.

Academic

These activities are based on a certain academic subject, and include both clubs (groups to discuss and practice certain subjects) and competitive teams. Academic teams have competitions that take place at all levels, from local to national.

Clubs

• Adopt-A-Physicist
• Architecture Club
• Astronomy Club
• Biology Club
• Chemistry Club
• Economics Club
• Electronics Club
• Engineering Club
• English Club
• Distributive Education Clubs of America
• History Club
• Life Sciences Club
• Literature Club
• Literary Magazine Club
• Math Club
• Mu Alpha Theta: Math Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Peer Tutoring
• Poetry Club
• Physics Club
• Psychology Club
• Quill and Scroll
• Robotics Club
• Science National Honors Society
• Trivia and Quiz Clubs
• Web design/coding club
• Writing Club

Academic Competitive Teams

• Academic Decathlon
• Academic Triathlon
• American Mathematics Competitions
• American Regions Math League
• Caribou Mathematics Competition
• Chemistry Olympiad
• Clean Tech Competition
• Creative Communication Poetry Contest
• EconChallenge
• Educators Rising
• FIRST Robotics Competition
• High School Innovation Challenge
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
• Kids Philosophy Slam
• Math League
• National Academic Quiz Tournament
• National French Contest
• National History Bee
• National Spelling Bee
• Odyssey of the Mind
• Poetry Out Loud
• Questions Unlimited
• Quiz Bowl
• Science Bowl
• Science Olympiad
• Other Trivia and Quiz Competition Teams

Art

These activities will allow you to express yourself artistically—on paper, through a lens, on stage, and through several other media. Unleash your creativity!

• Animation
• Anime/Manga Club
• Art Club
• Art: drawing, painting
• Blacksmithing
• Cartooning
• Ceramics
• Drama Club
• Fashion design
• Graphic Design
• Jewelry Making
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Sewing
• High School Theater Program
• Community Theater Program
• Video Game Development Club
• Weaving
• Woodworking

Cultural and Language

These activities may help you reconnect with your roots, or allow you to get a taste of the world’s diversity without ever leaving home. There are many other cultural and language-related activities that you can participate in. Some of the most common ones are listed below.

• African American Student Alliances/Clubs
• American Sign Language Club
• Chinese Club
• French Club
• German Club
• International Food Club
• Latin Club
• Pacific Islanders Club
• Russian Club
• South Asian Student Society
• Spanish Club

Community

These activities will allow you to get involved in your community.

• 4-H
• Community Festivals
• Do Something
• Habitat for Humanity
• JUNTOS
• Key Club
• Kids Helping Kids
• Leo Club
• Mountaineers Club
• Sisters on the Runway

Government

Interested in making a difference in your school, community, or on a larger scale, through policy? Try a government-related activity to see if this could be a career interest for you!

• Community Youth Board
• Student Council
• Student Government
• Community Government

Leadership

These activities could be a fit if you’re a natural leader, skilled at motivating, directing, and inspiring others.

• National Beta Club
• Peer Leadership Group

Media

If you love writing and communicating, consider getting involved in a media activity to help bring news and information to your school or community.

• School or local magazine/journal
• School or local newspaper
• School or local radio station
• School or local television channel
• School or local web site
• Work on a movie
• Yearbook Committee

Military

If you are interested in learning about discipline, teamwork, and leadership, then you may be interested in a military-based extracurricular activity.

• Civil Air Patrol
• Junior ROTC

Music

If you want to try playing an instrument or singing, there are many opportunities to try music-related activities. These are usually available both in your school community and in your wider community.

• Any musical interest club
• School Chorus/Choir
• Community Chorus/Choir
• Church Chorus/Choir
• Chamber Music Group
• Concert Band
• Ensembles
• Singing Lessons
• Marching Band
• Jazz Band
• Orchestra
• Solo music
• Your own band
• Tri-M Music Honor Society

Performance Art

Love to ham it up? You’ll find there are many outlets both in your school and in your community to get on a stage and make an audience laugh and cry.

• Comedy Club
• Choreography
• Classic Film Club
• Dance
• Film Production Club
• International Thespian Society
• Miming
• Puppetry
• Slam Poetry Club
• High School Theater Group
• Community Theater Group

Religious

You can usually find these groups in your community.

• Church groups
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Jewish Student Union
• Missionary work
• Youth Groups

Roleplaying/Fantasy

Did you know your love of fantasy can also be an extracurricular activity? Participating in one of these groups can show a dedication to many different creative skills.

• The Civil War Reenactors
• Dungeons and Dragons Club
• Gamers Club
• LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)
• Renaissance Faires

Social Activism

These groups may have chapters in your school or in your community. If there’s a cause you’re passionate about, seek out the local group that supports it.

• Amnesty International
• Animal Rights Club
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Cancer Foundation
• Environmental Club
• Fair Trade Club
• Gay-Straight Alliance
• Girls Lean International
• NOW—National Organization for Women
• SADD—Students Against Destructive Decisions

Special Interest

You will often find these groups in your school or supported by the community. If you have a special interest in something that you can’t find a local group for, consider creating one or join a national group. You can communicate with other people who have the same interest online, and attend meet-ups throughout the year.

• Boy Scouts
• Chess Club
• Equestrian Club
• Entrepreneurship Club
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Girl Scouts
• Horticulture Club
• Model Railroads
• Quilt Making

Speech and Political Interest

If you have a knack for recognizing faulty logic and destroying opponents’ arguments, try one of these clubs. Many schools will sponsor these groups and some of them are competitive on local and national levels.

• Debate Club
• Euro Challenge
• Foreign Affairs Club
• Forensics Team
• High School Democrats of America
• High School Fed Challenge
• Junior Statesmen of America
• Mock Trial Club
• Model Congress Club
• Model United Nations
• National Speech and Debate Association
• Speech Club
• Teenage Republicans
• Young Democrats of America

Sports and Recreation

You probably already know about the sports teams at your schools, but there are also many opportunities to participate outside of those. Try doing extramural sports, join a club league in your community, or consider coaching a youth team.

• Baseball and softball
• Basketball
• Bodybuilding
• Cheerleading
• Climbing Club
• Cycling
• Dance Team
• Fencing
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Hiking Club
• Hockey
• Intramural Sports
• Lacrosse
• Martial Arts
• Ping Pong Club
• Quidditch Clubs
• Skate Board Club
• Skiing
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee Club
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Yoga Club

Technology

A love of technology can take you far. If you have strong knowledge in a particular area, try sharing with the online community. The bonus of these activities is that anyone with an internet connection can do them—no need for a school-sponsored club!

• Blogging
• Personal Web Site
• Social Media
• YouTube Channel

Volunteer

There are a lot of ways to make a difference in your local community. Look for volunteer groups in your school, your church, or elsewhere in your neighborhood. There are many websites, such as Volunteer Match, that can help you find a local community service project that is of interest to you.

• Adopt-a-Highway
• Animal rescue
• Best Buddies International
• Church outreach
• Hospital volunteer
• International volunteer program
• Mentoring
• Red Cross Club
• Tutoring
• UNICEF High School Clubs
• Volunteer Fire Department
• Work with a local charity
• Work with a local soup kitchen

 

Final Word

If none of the above activities are for you, you’re still in luck. Why? You can always create your own extracurricular activity!

Did you know that almost any hobby can be turned into an extracurricular activity?

Starting a business or a website, volunteering, or any unusual hobby can be turned into something that you can write about for college. And if it’s unique enough to not be on this list, you can be sure that it will be something new for the college admissions committee, as well!

What matters most is that it’s an outlet for your passion, creativity, and leadership.

So instead of thinking you don’t do anything interesting, take the opportunity to find a new passion, or to turn something you already love into an activity you can share with the world.

If you think there’s something we left off that you want to see something added to this list, leave a comment below.

What’s Next?

Now that you know what extracurriculars look like, read about how to write about extracurriculars on your college application.

Did you know that you can use community service work to help pay for college? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to win community service scholarships.

Want your extracurriculars to really stand out? Check out our guide of three amazing extracurricular examples that are sure to impress colleges.

Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!

What’s Covered:

• What Are Extracurricular Activities?
• Why Are Extracurriculars Important?
• How Do Colleges Evaluate Extracurricular Activities?
• How Many Extracurriculars Should You Do?
• Complete List of Extracurricular Activities

Most colleges, especially competitive ones, are looking for a “well-rounded” student. This means that, in addition to having grades and test scores that meet their requirements, you must also display other talents and interests in your application. A strong extracurricular profile can help you make a good impression on admissions officers. You’d be surprised how many activities are out there!

What are Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurriculars are anything you do outside of academics. These can include sports, music, community service activities, jobs/internships, clubs, and more. Extracurriculars help colleges get to know you as a person: what do you care about? How committed are you?

It’s important to note that not all hobbies count as extracurriculars. For example, things like watching movies or playing video games would not be counted. Basically, recreational activities that you do for your own enjoyment don’t make the cut because extracurriculars need to involve some concerted effort and contribute to your personal development. If you started an after-school movie club where you and other members watched and then analyzed movies, or decided to develop video games on your own time, then you could list those as extracurriculars. 

Why Are Extracurriculars Important?

While most schools are interested in extracurricular activities to some extent, they are especially important to the top 250 colleges and universities. These 250 schools get too many students who are academically-qualified, so extracurriculars help you stand out. 

The less competitive schools, like large public schools or state universities, receive so many applications that they narrow their focus. Typically, extracurriculars fall to the wayside here as more emphasis is placed on quantitative data, like GPA and test scores, because these require less time on the part of the admissions committee.

That being said, having extracurriculars on your resume, no matter where you apply to, helps you present a robust application that helps the admissions officers gain an overall deeper understanding of the type of person you are. This can make or break their decision to accept you into their university. A well-rounded profile demonstrates that you are passionate and dedicated to the things you care about, both of which are qualities that would make you a valuable addition to their student body.

In addition to showing off your many interests, extracurriculars can also help establish your commitment and interest in your prospective major. This can be especially true for pre-med students; you have to show interest in the field, so having a medical club or hospital volunteering opportunity on your resume would show initiative in that direction. Other examples are video game clubs or coding competitions for a computer science major, or heading a psychology club for an intended psychology major.

How Do Colleges Evaluate Extracurriculars?

At CollegeVine, we’ve divided extracurricular activities into 4 tiers.

Tier 1: Rare activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership. They include national awards or other prestigious achievements.

Tier 2: A little more common than Tier 1, but these activities still showcase high levels of achievement and leadership. They include leadership positions for well-known clubs and organizations, winning regional competitions, or sports/music distinctions.

Tier 3: Lack the distinction of Tier 1 and 2, but still highlight student’s interests. They include minor leadership positions for well-known clubs and organizations and smaller athletic/musical distinctions.

Tier 4: Most common and most often seen by admissions committees. They include general club/sports/musical membership and general volunteering.

How Many Extracurriculars Should You Do?

Strong applications tend to have between 8 and 10 extracurricular activities. This sounds like a lot, but many activities are seasonal, so it’s possible to fit, for example, three to four sports into one year. That being said, the most important thing to keep in mind is quality over quantity. It’s usually better to try and achieve depth in one to two fields than to do a bunch of things on a surface level. You can certainly start by trying a bunch of things freshman year, but really stick with what you love and are good at. This way, you show a real passion, dedication and progression in the things you care about.

If you want to find out how your extracurriculars stack up, our free chancing engine can help you understand how your activities impact your chances. You can also see more in-depth tiers; the 4-tier system is slightly simplified and our chancing engine runs from Tier A-I.

Complete List of Extracurricular Activities 

Affinity Groups

• African American Club
• Asian Students Association
• Association of Latin-American Students (ALAS)
• Bible Camp
• Bible School
• Black Lives Matter
• Black Students Union
• Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions
• Caribbean Culture Club
• Chinese School
• Chinese Student Association
• Christians in Action
• Church Involvement
• Climate Change Activism 
• Diversity Awareness Club
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Feminist Club
• Filipino-American Club
• Gay-Straight Alliance
• Gender and Sexuality Alliance
• Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior (GEMS)
• Girls in the Trades
• Girls Learn International
• Girls Who Code
• Gun Control Activism
• Indian Students Association
• International Students Association
• International Women’s Club
• Italian Club
• Japanese Club
• Jewish Culture Club
• Jewish Student Union
• Junior ROTC
• Latino Students Union
• LGBTQ Club
• Mosque Involvement
• Multicultural Student Union
• Muslim Student Union
• Muslim Students Association
• NAACP
• National Organization for Women
• New Crew
• Nigerian Student Association
• Pacific Islander Student Association
• Persian Club
• Racial Justice Club 
• Society of Women Engineers
• South Asian Culture Club
• Synagogue Involvement
• Teens Against Human Trafficking
• Temple Involvement
• Women in Business
• Women in STEM Club
• Women’s March

Community Service

• 4H Club
• ACE Mentor Program of America
• Achieve Miami
• Achilles International
• Adopt-a-Highway
• Alzheimer’s Awareness Club
• American Cancer Society
• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• American Kennel Club
• American Legion
• Amnesty International
• Anchor Club
• Animal Rescue League
• Animal Rights Club
• Anti-Defamation League
• Autism Awareness Club
• Autism Cares Foundation
• Baseball Coaching
• Basketball Coaching
• Beach Cleanup
• Best Buddies
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Blankets of Hope
• Blood Drive
• Boy Scouts
• Breast Cancer Awareness Club
• Cat Rescue
• Cesar Chavez Service Clubs (Chavista)
• Cheerleading Coach
• Church Camp
• City Youth Council
• Civil Air Patrol
• Climate March
• Community Outreach Club
• CPR Training
• CureSMA
• Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund
• DARE
• Do Something
• Doctors Without Borders
• Dog Rescue
• Earth Day
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT/EMS)
• English Tutoring
• Epilepsy Foundation
• ESL Instruction and Tutoring
• Feed My Starving Children
• Feeding America
• Food Drive
• Fostering Animals
• Girl Scouts
• Girl Up
• GoFundMe
• Greenpeace
• Habitat For Humanity
• Heifer International
• Human Rights Club
• Humane Society
• Hunger Project
• Hurricane Relief
• Interact Club
• JUNTOS
• Key Club
• Kids Helping Kids
• KIVA Microfinance Club
• Kiwanis Club
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Link Crew
• Lions Club
• Make-A-Wish
• March for Life
• March of Dimes
• Meals on Wheels
• MEDLIFE
• Mission Trip
• Missionary Work
• National Charity League
• National Down Syndrome Society
• Operation Christmas Child
• Operation Smile
• PALS
• Park Cleanup
• Peer Leaders
• Peer Mentor
• Peer Tutoring
• PETA
• Recycling
• Red Cross Club
• Relay For Life
• Roots and Shoots
• Rotary Club
• Salvation Army
• Save Endangered Species Club
• School Ambassador
• Shadowing a Physician
• Sisters on the Runway
• Soccer Coaching
• Social Justice Club
• Special Olympics
• Student Ambassadors
• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
• Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD)
• Sunday School
• Tutoring
• UNICEF Club
• United Way
• Upward Bound
• VFW
• Volunteer at Elementary School
• Volunteer at Middle School
• Volunteer at Soup Kitchen
• Volunteer Trip
• Volunteer with Refugees
• Volunteering at Animal Shelter
• Volunteering at Children’s Hospital
• Volunteering at Food Bank
• Volunteering at Hospital
• Volunteering at Library
• Volunteering at Museum
• Volunteering at Nursing Home
• Volunteering Club 
• Volunteering with the Homeless
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s
• Water Aid International (WAI)
• Wounded Warrior Project 
• YMCA
• Youth Sports Coaching
• YWCA

Drama

• Choreography
• Community Theater
• Drama Club
• Filmmaking
• Improv Club
• Mime
• Musical Theater
• Playwriting
• Puppetry
• School Musical
• School Play
• Stage Crew
• Standup Comedy
• Theater

Employment

• Accounting Internship
• Babysitting
• Ballboy
• Barista
• Camp Counselor
• Cashier
• Childcare
• Concession Stand
• Corporate Internship
• Dishwasher
• Dog Walking
• Employment at Local Business
• Financial Analyst
• Fiverr
• Gymnastics Coach
• Hostess
• Internship
• Internship at Hospital
• Internship at Law Firm
• Landscaping
• Lawn Mowing
• Lifeguard
• Meal Delivery
• Public Relations
• Retail Worker
• School Radio Station
• School Store
• Snow Shoveling
• Social Media Management
• Waitress

Hobbies (some of these may double as other categories)

• Acrobatics
• Aikido
• Aviation Enthusiast
• Ballet
• Bhangra
• Biking
• Billiards
• Birdwatching
• Blacksmithing
• BMX Biking
• Bullet Journaling
• CAD Design
• Cake Decorating
• Calligraphy
• Car Enthusiast
• Carpentry
• Cartography
• Coin Collecting
• Crochet
• Cross Stitching
• Dirt Biking
• Dog Training
• Drones
• Embroidery
• Fashion/Fashion Design
• Fishing
• Graphic Design
• Hairstyling
• HAM Radio
• Home Improvement
• Hunting
• Illustration
• Indian Classical Dance
• Interior Design
• Inventing
• Irish Dance
• Jewelry Making
• Jiujitsu
• Juggling
• Kayaking
• Kendo
• Kickboxing
• Knitting
• Krav Maga
• Kung Fu
• Landscape Design
• Latin Dance
• LEGO
• Magic: The Gathering
• Makeup
• Metalworking
• Model Airplanes
• Model Railroads
• Motorcycles
• Mountaineering
• Nail Art
• PC Construction
• Pilot
• Pokemon Go
• Puzzle and Sudoku
• Quilting
• Reading
• Rock Collecting
• Rubik’s Cube
• Running
• Scale Modeling
• Scuba Diving
• Sewing
• Skateboarding
• Sports Memorabilia
• Sports Statistics
• Stock Trading
• Surfing
• Tabletop Gaming
• Thrifting
• Vehicle Restoration
• Video Editing
• Wakeboarding
• Weaving
• Woodworking
• Yoga

Honor Societies

• Art National Honor Society 
• Beta Club
• Business National Honor Society
• California Scholarship Federation
• Dance National Honor Society
• Engineering National Honor Society
• English National Honor Society
• French National Honor Society
• German National Honor Society
• History National Honor Society
• Math Honor Society
• Mu Alpha Theta
• National Art Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Science National Honor Society
• Thespians International Honor Society
• Tri-M Music Honor Society

Interest Clubs

• 3D Modeling Club
• 3D Printing Club
• A/V Club
• Academic Council
• Accounting Club
• Aerospace Engineering Club
• African Heritage Club
• American Meteorological Society
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Anatomy Club
• Animal Rights Club
• Animation Club
• Anime Club
• Anthropology Club
• Arabic Culture Club
• Architecture Club
• Armenian Club
• Art History Club
• Artificial Intelligence Club
• Asian Cooking Club
• Astrology Club
• Astronomy Club
• Aviation Club
• Baking Club
• Ballroom Dancing Club
• Beauty Club
• Beekeeping Club
• Bible Study
• BioBuilder Club
• Biochem Club
• Biology Club
• Biomedical Engineering Club
• Black History Club
• Board Games Club
• Bollywood Club
• Book Club
• Botany Club
• Brazilian Club
• Break Dancing Club
• Broadcasting Club
• Business Club
• Call of Duty Club
• Calligraphy Club
• Cancer Awareness Club
• Car Club
• Cartooning Club
• Ceramics Club
• Chemistry Club
• Chess Club
• Chick-fil-A Leader Academy
• Chinese Club
• Chinese Yoyo Club
• Civics Club
• Civil War Reenactors
• Classical Music Club
• Climate Action Club
• Coffee Club
• Comics Club
• Computer Science Club
• Conservation Club
• Consulting Club
• Cooking Club
• Cornhole Club
• Cosmetology Club
• Criminal Justice Club
• Crossfit Club
• Culinary Club
• Current Events Club
• Cycling Club
• Dance Club
• Data Science Club
• Debate Club
• Dungeons & Dragons Club
• Eastern European Culture Club
• Eco Club
• Economics Club
• Electrical Engineering Club
• Electronics Club
• Energy Team
• Engineering Club
• Entrepreneurship Club
• Environmental Club
• Equestrian Club
• Ethics Club
• European History Club
• Fair Trade for Life
• Fantasy Sports Club
• Fashion Club
• Film Club
• Filmmaking Club
• Finance Club/Financial Literacy Club
• Fishing Club
• Foreign Affairs Club
• Foreign Film Club
• Forensic Science Club
• French Club
• Friendship Club
• Future Doctors of America
• Future Educators of America
• Future Engineers of America
• Future Farmers of America
• Future Law Professionals of America
• Future Physicians Club
• Future Teachers of America
• Game Development Club/Gaming Club
• Gardening Club
• Geography Club
• Geology Club
• German Club
• Graphic Design Club
• Grilling Club
• Gun Reform Club
• Hiking Club
• Hindi Club
• Hip Hop Club
• History Club
• Indian Culture Club
• International Club
• International Food Club
• International Relations Club
• Investing Club
• Irish Culture Club
• Jazz Club
• Journalism Club
• Junior Statesmen of America
• Junior World Affairs Council
• Karaoke Club
• Knitting Club
• Korean Club
• K-Pop Dance
• LARP Club
• Latin American Culture Club
• Latin Club
• Leadership Club
• Life Sciences Club
• Literature Club
• Magic Club
• Mahjong Club
• Makerspace Club
• Mandarin Club
• Marine Biology Club
• Marketing Club
• Math Club
• Meditation Club
• Mental Health Club
• Meteorology Club
• Microbiology Club
• Microfinance Club
• Middle East Culture Club
• Military History Club
• Minecraft Club
• Morning Announcements 
• Mosaic Club
• Mountaineers Club
• Multicultural Club
• National Chinese Honor Society
• Nature Club
• Neurodiversity Club
• Neuroscience Club
• Nutrition Club
• Origami Club
• Outdoors Club
• Pen Pal Club
• Performing Arts Club
• Philosophy Club
• Photography Club
• Physics Club
• Ping Pong Club
• Poetry Club
• Political Discussion Club
• Politics Club
• Pre-Med Club
• Psychology Club
• Quidditch Club
• Religion Club
• Renaissance Faires
• Rifle Club
• ROBLOX Club
• Robotics Club
• Rock Climbing Club
• Rocketry Club
• Russian Club
• Sailing Club
• Science Club
• Shakespeare Club
• Sign Language Club
• Skateboard Club
• Slam Poetry Club
• Smash Club
• Spanish Club
• Sports Medicine Club
• Sportswriting Club
• Statistics Club
• STEM Club
• Strength and Fitness Club
• Sustainability Club
• TED-X
• Toastmasters Club
• Urban Planning Club
• Vegan Club
• Vegan/Vegetarian Club
• Veterans Support Club
• Vietnamese Culture Club
• Women In Science and Engineering (WISE)
• World War II Club
• Young Entrepreneurs Club
• Young Investors Society

Music

• A Capella
• Aspen Music Festival
• Audio Engineer
• Bagpipes
• Band (Personal)
• Band (School)
• Chamber Orchestra
• Choir
• Church Choir
• Color Guard
• DJ-ing
• Glee Club
• Jazz Band
• Marching Band
• Music Club
• Music Composition
• Orchestra
• Pit Orchestra
• Rap
• Songwriting
• Sound Engineer
• Wind Ensemble

Non-Art Competitions

• AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
• AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest
• Academic Challenge
• Academic Decathlon
• Academic League
• Academic Pentathlon
• Academic Super Bowl
• Academic WorldQuest
• Adventure Write Kids – Totem Head’s Story Contest
• AIME
• Alaska Airlines Imagine Tomorrow
• American Invitational Mathematics Examination
• American Mathematics Competitions 10/12
• American Regions Math League (ARML)
• American Sleep Medicine Foundation High School Video Contest
• Americanism Essay Contest
• Architectural Design Competition for High School
• Ayn Rand Institute Contest
• B.E.S.T Robotics Design Contest
• Battlebots
• Biology League
• Biology Olympiad
• Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition
• Botball Educational Robotics Program
• Brain Awareness Video Contest
• Capitol Hill Challenge
• Caribou Mathematics Competition
• Chemistry Bowl
• Chemistry Olympiad
• Clean Tech Competition
• Congressional Data Challenge
• Congressional Debate
• Conrad Challenge
• Cooper Hewitt National Design Competition
• Creative Communication Poetry Contest
• C-SPAN’s StudentCam
• Cubes in Space
• Cyberpatriot
• Davidson Fellows
• Debate Team
• DECA
• Destination ImagiNation
• Diamond Challenge
• Doodle 4 Google
• Doors to Diplomacy – International Competition
• EconChallenge
• Economics Competition
• eCyberMission
• Educators Rising
• EngineerGirl Writing Contest
• Engineering Team 
• Entrepreneurship Competition
• Envirothon
• Essay Contest
• Euro Challenge
• FCCLA Virtual Business Challenge
• Fed Challenge
• Film Contest
• Finance Challenge
• FIRST Robotics
• Forensic Debate
• Forensics Team
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
• Future Problem Solving Program International: International Scenario Writing
• Generation Nano: Superheroes inspired by Science
• Genius Olympiad
• Girl’s Go CyberStart Club
• Google Science Fair
• Harvard/MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)
• High School Innovation Challenge
• HOSA
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
• International BioGENEius Challenge
• International Commerce Olympiad
• International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
• International Olympiad of French
• InvestWrite
• Ithaca College High School Investment Competition
• Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship Classes
• Junior Classical League
• Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
• Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair
• Kids Philosophy Slam
• Knowledge @ Wharton Comment and Win
• Knowledge Bowl
• Lemonade Day
• LifeSmarts
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate
• Mandelbrot Competition
• Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) International ROV Competition
• Math League
• Mathematics Olympiad
• Meridian Stories
• Microsoft Imagine Cup
• MIT INSPIRE
• Mock Trial
• Model Congress
• Model United Nations
• NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
• National Academic Championship – Questions Unlimited
• National Academic League
• National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT)
• National DNA Day Essay Contest
• National Federation of Music Clubs- Junior Composer Contest (Class III & IV)
• National French Contest
• National French Contest
• National Geographic Student Photo Competition 
• National High School Design Competition
• National High School Essay Contest
• National High School Ethics Bowl
• National History Day
• National Ocean Science Bowl
• National Personal Finance Challenge
• National YoungArts Foundation 
• National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
• National Economics Challenge
• Neuroscience for Kids Competitions
• North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad (NACLO)
• NSHSS Visual Arts Competition
• Odyssey of the Mind
• Paradigm Challenge
• Physics Olympiad
• Profile in Courage Essay Contest
• Programming Competition
• Questions Unlimited
• Quiz Bowl
• Regeneron Science Talent Search
• River of Words: Youth Art and Poetry Inspired by the Natural World
• Robotics Team
• Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
• SAGE USA
• Science Bowl
• Science Fair
• Science Olympiad
• Siemens Competition
• SkillsUSA
• Solar Car Challenge
• SourceAmerica Design Challenge
• Space Settlement Contest
• Speak Truth to Power Video Contest
• Speech & Debate
• Spelling Bee
• Stemanities Research Competition
• Stockholm Junior Water Prize
• Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
• TEAMS Competition
• Technology Student Association
• Technovation Challenge
• The Coleopterists Society- Youth Incentive Award
• The Green Idea
• The High School Bridge Building Contest
• The Stock Market Game
• TOPPS Competition for High School Psychology Students
• Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision
• UIL Academics
• University Interscholastic League
• USA Brain Bee
• Vans Custom Culture
• We the People Constitutional Competitions
• Wharton High School Investment Competition
• World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest
• World Series of Innovation
• Writing Contest
• Young Investors Society Global Stock Pitch Competition
• Youth and Government

Own Initiative

• Discord Server
• Family Responsibilities
• Instagram Account (Professional)
• Online Class
• Online Forum
• Podcasting
• Startup
• Streaming
• TikTok Account (Professional)
• Twitch Channel
• Venture-Backed Startup
• YouTube Channel

Politics

• Boys State
• Canvassing (elections)
• Congressional Page
• Girls State
• High School Democrats of America
• Internship with Senator
• Internship with Congressperson
• Local Government Internship
• Phonbanking (elections)
• Teenage Republicans
• Volunteer for Political Campaign
• Young Americans Foundation
• Young Democrats

Research

• Engineering Research
• Humanities Research
• Medical Research
• Scientific Research

Software

• App Development
• BASIC Club
• Coding Bootcamp
• CSforAll
• Game Design
• Hackathon
• Java Club
• MLK Essay Contest
• Programming Club
• Python
• Web Design

Sports

• Archery
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Cheerleading
• Crew (Rowing)
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Curling
• Cycling
• Dance Team
• Disc Golf
• Discus
• Diving
• Dodgeball
• Drill Team
• eSports
• Fencing
• Field Hockey
• Figure Skating
• Flag Football
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Handball
• Hiking
• Hip Hop Dance
• Horseback riding
• Ice Dancing
• Ice Hockey
• Indoor Track & Field
• Javelin
• JROTC
• Judo
• Karate
• Kickball
• Lacrosse
• Marathon Running
• Martial Arts
• Minigolf
• MMA
• Motocross Racing
• Netball
• Pickleball
• Polo
• Racquetball
• Reserve Barrel Racing
• Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Rock Climbing
• Roller Derby
• Rugby
• Sailing 
• Shooting
• Shot Put
• Show Jumping
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Softball
• Speed Skating
• Squash
• Sumo
• Swimming
• Synchronized Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Triathlon
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Waterskiing
• Weightlifting
• Windsurfing
• Wrestling

Student Government

• ACCT
• Class Cabinet
• Homecoming Committee
• Judicial Committee (Honor Council)
• Library Advisory Council
• Prom Committee
• School Board Representative
• Spirit Committee
• Student Athlete Advisory Council 
• Student Council
• Student Diversity Committee
• Student Government

Summer Programs

• Achieve In Medicine (AIM-High)
• ACLU National Advocacy Institute’s High School Program
• Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
• Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
• CDC Disease Detective Camp
• College Courses
• Congress of Future Medical Leaders
• Cronkite Summer Journalism Institute (SJI)
• Economics for Leaders
• Exchange Student
• Interlochen Arts Camp
• Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
• JCamp
• Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
• LaunchX
• Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
• Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Engineering/Mathematics Program (HSHSP)
• Middlebury Summer Language Academy
• Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
• NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
• National Mathematics Summer School
• National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
• Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
• Perimeter Institute International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
• Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
• Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)
• Research in Science and Engineering Program (RISE)
• Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
• Ross Mathematics Program
• Simons Summer Research Program
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
• Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
• Student Conservation Association National Crews
• Study Abroad
• Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
• Summer Camp
• Summer School
• Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
• The Summer Science Program (SSP)
• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
• Young Women’s Institute

Visual Arts

• Art Club
• Art Competition
• Art Contest
• Art Show
• Congressional Art Competition
• Painting
• Photography
• Pottery
• Scholastic Art Awards
• Sculpture

Writing

• Baseball Writing
• Blogging (Personal)
• Book Reviews
• Creative Writing
• Fan Fiction
• Literary Magazine
• Magazine Writing
• Movie Reviews
• Novel Writing
• Poetry
• Published a Book
• Quill and Scroll
• School Blog
• School Newspaper
• Short Story Writing
• Sportswriting
• Web Publication
• Yearbook

Between school and downtime, most kids do one or more extracurricular activities. These classes, sports teams, and other programs allow children and teens to pursue a special interest that’s outside of the typical educational curriculum, including sports, the arts, special-interest clubs, and technology. They also help to bolster a teens college application, while offering a host of other academic, social, and physical benefits.

If you have a busy family schedule already, you may wonder whether extracurricular activities are worth the time and money. Indeed, there is plenty of evidence that enrichment programs outside the classroom boost children’s social and academic skills. Luckily, there are more choices than ever for kids to find a pursuit that may ignite a true passion.

Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Depending on whether the program you’re considering for your child is physical, intellectual, or creative in nature, specific extracurricular activities can build skills in different developmental areas. However, research has shown that extracurricular activities in general can:

• Build teamwork and problem-solving skills
• Cultivate self-esteem and confidence
• Develop a strong work ethic
• Encourage superior academic performance
• Enhance a high schooler’s college application portfolio
• Help children develop emotional regulation that carries over to the classroom
• Offer kids the opportunity to develop closer friends than they might make in school, due to shared interests

Types of Extracurricular Activities

You might be surprised to learn how many different types of extracurricular activities there are to choose from in schools and communities. With options ranging from hobby-based clubs to year-round competitive programs, you can find a program for almost any type of child. Here is just a sampling of what organized activities may be offered near you.

Sports

Sports are the most common extracurricular activity for kids in the United States. Swimming lessons, ice skating lessons, gymnastics, and soccer clinics are typically offered to children as early as the toddler and preschool years. Many town recreation departments offer baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, ultimate frisbee, running, and volleyball to elementary-school-age kids. As they age out of youth leagues, many kids can join middle school or high school sports teams or try out for a competitive travel sports team.

Rest assured, if your child doesn’t seem to enjoy or thrive in mainstream sports like these, there are a growing number of alternative physical activity programs to keep them active. Ask your child’s P.E. teacher or local recreation department for ideas. Additionally, look for martial arts, golf, skiing, BMX biking, skateboarding, dance, or rock climbing clinics or clubs in your area.

Scouting

Scouting groups are a great choice for kids who enjoy nature and are willing to try a variety of activities. Scouts learn basic outdoor survival skills, but they are also expected to earn badges in other skills like cooking, cleaning, arts, finances, goal setting, and personal care.

Historically, there have been Boy Scout troops and Girl Scout troops, but those distinctions are no longer based on traditional gender norms. The organization formerly known as Boy Scouts is now Scouts BSA, and it welcomes girls as well as boys.

Girl Scouts still only accepts girls into its ranks, but in consideration of transgender youth specifies that: «If a child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe.»

Performing Arts

Theater and dance are popular extracurricular activities found in almost every community. Many schools and community theaters put on plays and other performances that students can participate in either by trying out or just signing up. Other students who enjoy stagecraft but not performing may help build sets, work on lights, sound, and special effects, or make costumes. 

Some kids who excel in performing arts may grow up to be professional actors, comedians, or other performers, but many more will build self-confidence, develop friendships, and go on to participate in community theater or similar groups as they become adults.

Visual Arts

With many schools shortening or limiting their special subject classes, kids who like to draw, paint, or create might benefit from joining an art program to learn art techniques and see their creativity flourish. Check with your child’s art teacher or a local art supplies store for classes and camps; some cater to very specific artistic interests, like pottery or graphic design. Many art museums host workshops for children, too.

Music

Band and choir are popular elective courses in many schools. Children can also get private lessons or join a community youth orchestra or other music groups. Educational research suggests that kids who play musical instruments do better in academic school subjects. However, learning to play and appreciate music alone is a fantastic reward in itself.

Community Service

Service organizations are great for teaching children about social and humanitarian issues. Older kids and teens often gain leadership skills and make important personal connections.

Middle school and high school honor societies often require students to perform a certain number of hours of community service, which demonstrates the important role that schools feel this pursuit plays in individual character development.

Churches, synagogues, temples, and junior versions of groups like Kiwanis and Lions offer community service opportunities for kids. Individual schools often have community service clubs that provide local outreach, whether it’s making no-sew blankets or collecting food pantry items.

Academic Clubs

Clubs or competitive teams often form around academic subjects. Intellectually curious kids might enjoy more deeply exploring topics they first learn about in the classroom. Some academic clubs that schools tend to offer include:

• Chess: Clubs might play just for fun, like during lunchtime, or guide kids toward the local competition circuit.
• Constitution Team: These clubs explore constitutional issues and may participate in competitions against other teams.
• Debate: Debate clubs commonly compete against nearby schools.
• Geography: In groups like Passport Club, kids learn geography and participate in challenges to test their knowledge.
• Math clubs: These include Math Counts or Mathletes.
• Model U.N.: These programs that allow children to explore global issues with classmates and peers from other schools.

Student Government 

Student government normally is available from upper elementary grades through college. Kids who are elected to student council are empowered to make decisions about important events for the student body and occasionally weigh in on school policy decisions. If your child has shown interest in leadership or politics, they should consider exploring student government groups at their school.

Student Media 

Many schools have student newspapers, literary magazines, yearbooks, video or audio school newscasts, film clubs, student-created websites, and more. Digging into these subjects will help familiarize kids with new technology and can create a portfolio for future jobs and college applications.

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups allow kids to gather and connect with other kids who share a similar—often marginalized—identity. High schools and even some elementary and middle schools offer clubs or groups for kids who identify as LGBTQ, Black, Latinx, and more. These groups can create a safe space for your child, a collective voice for their concerns, and service-related opportunities that might help them connect with the broader community.

STEM Programs

Programs based in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) are a natural fit for children who like to tinker or play on computers or tablets. Some schools offer science, computer, or engineering clubs, and more and more programs are cropping up to cater to kids’ STEM interests. LEGO-based robotics, coding, and video game development are just a few examples of programs being offered in certain locales across the country.

STEM programs are a smart choice to keep kids busy when transportation is tricky since an increasing number are available online. Companies like Outschool allow parents to sign up for fun virtual kids’ classes that focus on science and technology.

How to Choose an Extracurricular

How much you guide your child toward a certain activity will depend on your child’s age. If you have a younger child, you may need to provide a lot of direction to find the right activity. For a high schooler, you may just want to suggest a few different possibilities and then let them choose an activity that sounds interesting or fun. 

If your school-age student’s school doesn’t offer a particular extracurricular activity, find out from their school’s administration what is needed to start a club. With enough student interest and at least one adult who can volunteer their time to help supervise, your child could be a trailblazer for other kids who share their passion.

You can also look for activities sponsored by organizations in the local community. Local newspapers, bulletin boards, and social or online media often include advertisements for programs for school-age children and teens. For low-cost or free extracurricular activity options, look to your town’s recreation department or public library.

Just be careful to not overschedule your child with extracurricular activities. Many child health experts encourage parents to make sure children have at least one day a week without an organized extracurricular activity so they can have free time to relax and recharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do colleges look for in extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activities that promote intellectual curiosity, creativity, compassion, and a strong work ethic tend to impress college admissions officers. Look into debate or chess clubs, visual or performing art workshops, community outreach or volunteering opportunities, or even after-school jobs. Additionally, many colleges value commitment and long-developed interests, so sticking with one or two activities over time rather than just doing several activities junior year may be more impressive.

How do extracurricular activities help students?

By doing extracurricular activities, a child can expand their social circle, develop new skills, and become better problem solvers. Research shows that kids who do extracurricular activities tend to do better in the classroom, too.

What are examples of extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activity options run the gamut for today’s kids and teens. Popular activities include sports, scouts, art, theater, music, and community service. Many children also join school-affiliated organizations (like student council), competitive academic clubs (like Model U.N. or math club), and affinity groups that help connect kids with shared identities.

How many after-school activities is too many?

There is no set limit to after-school activities that suits all kids, as some children thrive with a busier schedule and others need more downtime. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to cut back on extracurriculars if your child is having trouble getting homework done, can’t get at least eight hours of sleep per night, or is struggling to maintain connections with family and friends.

A Word From Verywell

By expanding your child’s skillset and social circle, extracurricular activities can be an investment in your child’s future. Along with helping your child establish a growth mindset through teamwork and problem-solving challenges, pursuing interests outside of the academic curriculum may help teach your child how to establish a better work-life balance when they become adults.

The trick is figuring out which classes and programs are a good fit, so talking to your child’s teachers, fellow parents, and community organizers about local options is key. Above all, keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to let your kids try new things. A child or teen who may lack or lose interest in one activity might find their true calling in another.

500+ Examples of Extracurricular Activities for High School Students

Bonus Material: Extracurricular Activities Worksheet

Extracurricular activities are an essential component of competitive college applications.

When college admissions officers read your application, they’re generally on the lookout for three things:

1. Character & Personal Qualities
2. Academic Achievement
3. Extracurricular Distinction

Many of our students ask us how they can achieve extracurricular distinction.

What extracurricular activities should they pursue? And how do they earn distinction within a specific activity?

To answer these questions, we like to start by first defining what actually counts as an extracurricular activity (hint: more than you might realize!).

Then we point students to this list of 500+ examples of activities worth pursuing within the categories that appear on the Common Application.

We also give readers access to our Extracurricular Activities Worksheet. This is a valuable FREE resource for students needing extra guidance in choosing activities likely to suit their interests and lead to a solid college application. Grab this below.

Here’s what we cover:

• What Is An Extracurricular Activity?
• 500+ Examples of Awesome Extracurricular Activities
• Bonus: PrepMaven’s FREE Extracurricular Activities Worksheet

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What Are Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurricular activities can seem pretty straightforward. Aren’t they just activities you pursue outside of the classroom?

Generally speaking, yes.

But extracurricular activities aren’t limited to what your school offers. Nor do they have to be associated with a specific program or organization. They can be much broader than that.

Here is how the Common App, the platform many students use to apply to college, defines an extracurricular activity:

To reiterate, an extracurricular activity can be:

• A personal pursuit, interest, or hobby
• Athletics
• School-based (or related)
• Community-based (or related)
• Online-based
• Employment
• Family-related and
• Anything else that has been meaningful to you!

Extracurricular activities can be associated with clubs, organizations, programs, teams, or other groups. They can be entirely independent. They can also be activities that you start or initiate outside of your usual classroom obligations as a high school student.

So what’s the secret?

Consistency.

We define an extracurricular activity as one you pursue outside of the classroom in a consistent fashion.

We like to add that particularly rich extracurricular activities from a college admissions standpoint often have at least one of the following qualities. These activities

• Build or maintain specific skills
• Prepare you for a future career
• Demonstrate your interest or passion
• Provide relevant context
• Say something about you and what you care about and/or
• Have impact of some kind (on you personally, others, or your community)

How We’ve Organized Our 500+ Examples of Extracurricular Activities

The Common App requires applicants to categorize each of their activities when reporting them. They also ask other questions about your role within an activity, organization name(s), and recognition or achievement.

Here are the categories the Common App uses to organize extracurricular activities:

• Academic
• Art
• Athletics: Club
• Athletics: JV/Varsity
• Career Oriented
• Community Service (Volunteer)
• Computer/Technology
• Cultural
• Dance
• Debate/Speech
• Environmental
• Family Responsibilities
• Foreign Language
• Internship
• Journalism/Publication
• Junior ROTC
• LGBT
• Music: Instrumental
• Music: Vocal
• Religious
• Research
• Robotics
• School Spirit
• Social Justice
• Student Government / Politics
• Theatre/Drama
• Work (paid)
• Other Club / Activity

We’ve organized our list of extracurricular activities below according to these Common App categories.

We want to emphasize that this list is not exhaustive! But it is an excellent resource for students looking for the kinds of activities likely to make their applications more competitive.

That’s why we also strongly encourage readers to download our Extracurricular Activities Worksheet, a self-guided worksheet that helps students choose and plan the right activities for their time in high school.

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500+ Examples of (Awesome) Extracurricular Activities for High School Students

Academic Activities

Academic activities include any programs, groups, or activities that have a strictly academic focus. These include college courses and programs, honor societies, school clubs, competitions or contests, and other academic programs or interests.

Type	Examples
College Course or Early College Program	Princeton University courses for high school students Community College Courses
Honor Society	Quill and Scroll National Business Honor Society National Honor Society National Society of High School Scholars National English Honor Society Math Honor Society
Club	Young Architects Club Literature Club Local Amateur Astronomy Club Junior Economic Club ChemClub Biology Club Engineering Club National History Club Science Club Math Club Physics Club Psychology Club Coding Club Computer Science Club Art History Club Shakespeare Club American History Club Creative Writing Club
Competition or contest	National Academic Quiz Tournaments National Science Bowl International Mathematical Olympiad American Mathematics Competitions Academic Decathlon Academic Triathlon American Regions Mathematics League Brain Bee Caribou Contests U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad CSTL Clean Tech Competition C-SPAN StudentCam Competition Rube Goldberg Machine Contest National Economics Challenge Institute of Competition Sciences Kids Philosophy Slam Math League Modeling the Future Challenge Imagine Cup National Academic League National Geographic GeoBee National Geographic GeoChallenge Regeneron Science & Engineering Fair National History Bee & Bowl National Ocean Sciences Bowl Scripps National Spelling Bee Science Olympiad School Innovation Challenge School Bee Science Fair Other Math/Science Competition Other Academic Competition/Contest
Program	Academic Summer Program Pre-College Program Odyssey of the Mind Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Junior Academy of Science Youth Entrepreneurs Educators Rising National Student Leadership Conference Mock Trial
Other	Peer Academic Tutoring Peer ESL Tutoring Peer Test Prep Tutoring

Art

Art activities include any personal interests, hobbies, clubs, groups, programs, or competitions/contests with an artistic or creative emphasis.

Type	Examples
Personal Interest	Photography Visual Arts Podcasting YouTube Channel Anime/Manga Animation Drawing/Sketching Oil Painting Acrylic Painting Watercoloring Textiles Weaving Blogging Embroidery Quilting / Sewing Crocheting Knitting 3D Art (Sculpture, Ceramics, Pottery) Stenciling Puppetry Performance Art Encaustics Food Blog Jewelry making Fashion magazine or blog Graphic Design School Poster/Banner Design Mixed Media Art Metalworking Carpentry Screen printing or printmaking Woodworking Culinary arts Candle-making Cartooning Scrapbooking Graphic Novel Writing Creative Writing Poetry Spoken Word Videography School or local web design School or local radio station Personal website or blog School or local T.V. channel
Club	Art Club Film Club Yearbook Committee Anime/Manga Club Photography Club Creative Writing Club Visual Arts Club Podcasting Club Watercolor Club Classic Film Club Poetry Club Book Club Fashion Club Graphic Novel Club Young Writers Group (online) Young Artists Group (online) Shakespeare Club Science Fiction Club Media Club Arts & Crafts Club
Program	National Art Honor Society Local Arts Workshop Local Writing Workshop Arts Conference Art-based Summer Program Writing Summer Workshop Young Writers Conference Young Writers Workshop Young Artists Exhibition College-level Art Course College-level Creative Writing Course
Competition or Contest	Competitions for Young Writers Competitions for Young Artists Local Art Contests Local Writing Contests Film Festival Entrant NaNoWriMo Poetry Out Loud Teen Poetry Slam Bennington Young Writers Awards Congressional Art Competition

Athletics

Athletics include personal interest, club, intramural, team, and JV/Varsity sports and athletic pursuits.

Type	Examples
Club or Program	Yoga Club Equestrian Club Hiking Club Skateboard Club Ultimate Frisbee Club Club Swimming Fencing Club Martial Arts Club Cycling Club Ping Pong Club Tai Chi Club Quidditch Club Intramural Sports Cycling Club Rock Climbing Club Running Club Marathon Triathlon Iron Man Half Marathon
JV Varsity	Pickleball Cycling Team Bodybuilding Fencing Martial Arts Badminton Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country Dance Team Field Hockey Flag Football Football Golf Gymnastics Hockey Indoor Track & Field Lacrosse Soccer Softball Slow Pitch Softball Surfing Swimming & Diving Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Water Polo Weightlifting Wrestling Ultimate Frisbee Competitive Snowboarding Competitive Skiing Ice Hockey Equestrian Team Bowling

Career-Oriented Activities

Career-oriented activities emphasize professional skills and/or job preparation , often within a specific field. They can be clubs, programs, groups, or other activities.

Community Service (Volunteer)

Community service or volunteering activities are any that involve offering your time to others without compensation. They can be clubs, programs, or self-directed activities, and these can be school-based, community-based, or organization-based.

Computer/Technology Activities

Computer/technology activities can be clubs, programs, groups, competitions, or personal interests that have an emphasis on computers and/or technology.

Type	Examples
Club	Coding Club Young Hackers Club Computer Science Club Young Computer Scientists Club
Program	Computer Science College Course Computer Science Summer Program IT Non-Profit Coding Camp
Competition	Coding Challenge Hackathon American Computer Science League Imagine Cup
Other	Website Development App Development Video Game Development Theatre Tech (Lighting and/or Sound) Computer literacy School IT Support Computer building

Dance

Dance activities are clubs, teams, hobbies, competitions, programs, or events that involve some form of dance or movement.

Type	Examples
Club, Team, or Hobby	Hip Hop Jazz Dance Irish Dance Contemporary / Modern Dance Latin Dance Interpretive Dance Swing Dance African, West Indian, African-American Dance Ceremonial Dance Tap Dance Classical Dance Cultural Dance Ballroom Dance Ballet Other form of dance
Competition	Dance competition (local) Dance competition (national) Dance competition (international)
Other	Choreography Dance Therapy Juntos Collective College-level Dance Course Community Dance Program, Team, or Event

Debate/Speech

Debate/Speech activities include clubs, teams, competitions or contests, personal interests, or other programs that have an emphasis on debate, speech, or speaking.

Type	Examples
Club or Team	Speech and Debate Team National Forensics League Debate Club Rhetoric Club Young Orators of America
Personal Interest	Speechwriting Essay writing
Competition or Contest	American Legion Oratorical Contest Local Debate Competition National Debate Competition

Environmental

Environmental activities emphasize anything related to the environment, often in the context of protecting, supporting, or understanding it. They can be clubs, programs, contests, personal interests, or other activities.

Family Responsibilities

Family responsibilities entail any obligations or duties specific to you within your family. We recognize that every family situation is unique and has its own set of responsibilities, so this list is by no means exhaustive.

• Childcare/babysitting of siblings or relatives
• Care of a family member with a disability
• Care of a family member with terminal illness
• Care of a family member with a medical condition
• Care of an elderly relative
• Assisting a single parent
• Employment to support family
• Religious obligations

Culture & Foreign Language Activities

Cultural and foreign language activities focus on a specific culture, language, and/or cultural practice, and can involve clubs, student-led groups, study abroad programs, and others.

Type	Examples
Club	Spanish Club French Club German Club Japanese Club Portuguese Club American Sign Language Club Chinese Club Latin Club Pacific Islanders Club Russian Club South Asian Student Society Latino/a Students’ Association Muslim Students’ Association Greek Club Foreign Language Club Endangered Languages Club International Food Club Black Students’ Union BIPOC Students’ Union Asian Students’ Union
Program	Foreign Exchange or Study Abroad Program Language-Based Summer Program
Other	Foreign Language Contest, such as the National French Contest Latin Honor Society Student Diplomacy Corps Cultural Dance Tutoring students in a foreign language Teaching English as a Second Language

Internship

Internships give high school students a period of (typically unpaid) work experience, often within an organization. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to possible internships for high school students. We’ve included a sampling of what’s out there below.

• Internship at local hospital
• Job shadow internship
• Laboratory internship
• Law firm / legal internship
• Healthcare internship
• Media internship (newspaper, magazine, T.V., publication)
• Anthropology internship
• Environmental / Sustainability internship
• Political science internship (campaign work, for example)
• Community health internship
• Theatre/drama internship
• Research-based internship
• Artist internship
• Non-profit sector internship
• Teacher’s assistantship / internship
• Other internship

Journalism/Publication

Journalism and publication activities are any related to the world of publishing and journalistic writing. They can be a school-led club or group, like the school newspaper, program, internship, or other activity. They can also involve actual publications of your writing in any genre, including scientific research and creative works.

Type	Examples
Club or Group	School Newspaper Journalism Club School Literary Journal School Magazine School E-Zine
Other	Journalism internship Publication (i.e., article, story, poem, etc.) Local/Community Newspaper Community or National Literary Journal Young Journalists Competitions

Junior ROTC

A federal program, the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) introduces high school students to military customs, elements of leadership, and much more. We’ve also included other military-related extracurricular activities below.

• Junior State Police Academy
• Junior State Highway Patrol Program
• Junior ROTC
• Civil Air Patrol
• Marine Fitness
• Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program

LGBTQ+ Activities

LGBTQ+ activities are any that are related to the LGBTQ+ community and/or its rights and interests. They can be clubs, programs, acts of service, or other groups, and can also involve advocacy efforts.

Type	Examples
Club	LGBTQ+ Club Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA) Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Diversity Club Pride Student Union Queer Book Club Queer Filmmakers Club Queer Fashion Club Queer Podcast Queer Student Athletes
Program or Other	Pride March Pride High School Event or Program Gender and Sexuality Awareness Volunteering at an LGBTQ+ Center Trans Rights Advocacy LGBTQ+ Youth Peer Support Group LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy Trans Youth Rights Advocacy Other LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Program, Work, or Activity

Music: Instrumental & Vocal

Music activities are any that involve the practice and/or performance of music, instrumental or vocal. These include hobbies, clubs, groups, programs, and competitions.

Type	Examples
Club or Group	Music Creation and DJ Club Pep Band Jazz Band Church Band High School Band Duo, Trio, Quartet, etc. Other Instrumental Music Group Music Appreciation Club High School Orchestra Community Orchestra or Symphony Community Band High School Choir A capella group Church Choir Personal Band or Music Group Young Composers Club
Program	Songwriting Workshop Music Summer Camp or Program Tri-M Music Honor Society
Competition	Songwriting Competition District and/or state music festivals National music festivals Classical music competition Vocal competition
Personal Interest	Personal Instrument Vocal training / singing lessons Songwriting Composing DJing Cultural Music Album or record release Music Podcast Recording Studio

Religious

Religious activities are any associated with a religion or faith tradition. They can be school clubs, church groups, or community programs. They can also simply involve any consistent engagement within your church, such as acting as a Sunday School teacher or church greeter.

Type	Examples
School Club	Fellowship of Christian Athletes Jewish Student Union School Youth Group or Club Christian Student Organization (CSO)
Other	Church Youth Group Church Greeter Church Volunteer Missionary Work Church Choir or Band Church Outreach Church Mentorship Program Bible Study Sunday School Instruction Study of Religious Text(s) Assistance in Religious Services

Research

Research activities refer to any that involve dedicated research of a certain subject over a period of time. These can be programs, summer experiences, internships, and independent projects. The sky is the limit when it comes to possible research opportunities for high school students. We’ve included a sampling of what’s out there below.

• Summer Research Program
• Independent research project
• Research for course credit
• Research-based internship
• Assisting faculty members with research
• Personal interest-based research

Robotics

Robotics activities include anything related to the creation, exploration, and/or study of robots and robotic technology. They can be school clubs, programs, competitions, or other activities.

School Spirit

School spirit activities are any that emphasize support for your school and its student body.

• Pep Band
• Campus Tour Guide or Representative
• Cheerleading
• Spirit Squad
• Student Council
• School Spirit Club
• Student Event Coordinator
• Other School Spirit Club, Program, or Event

Social Justice

Social justice activities have an emphasis on fairness and equality, especially for the marginalized. These include clubs, organizations, movement, advocacy efforts, programs, and more.

Student Government/Politics

Activities in this category are related to political and governing systems, politics, and/or student government. They include clubs, groups, competitions, programs, and much more.

Theatre/Drama

Theatre and drama activities emphasize performance and all of its genres, aspects, and forms. They include clubs, programs, events, competitions, and personal interests.

Type	Examples
Club	High School Drama Troupe or Club Comedy or Improv Troupe or Club Dungeons and Dragons Club Film Production Club International Thespian Society
Program	Community Theatre Program Community Theatre Workshop or Summer Camp Renaissance Faires Historical Reenactment Program College-level Drama Course
Other/ Personal Interest	Musical Theatre Musical Theatre Songwriting Community Theatre LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) Independent film-making Set building Stage management Directing Theatre tech (light and/or sound) Screenwriting Playwriting Standup comedy

Work (Paid)

Paid work refers to any employment for which you are financially compensated over a period of time. There are many different kinds of employment opportunities out there for young people, so this list is not finite.

• Yard or landscaping work
• Housesitting
• Camp counselor or assistant
• Service industry work (restaurant, café, etc.)
• Administrative work (receptionist, office assistant)
• Assistantship
• Paid internship
• Paid research
• Child care
• Construction work
• Grocery store clerk
• Retail position
• Copyediting or writing
• Graphic Design
• Other paid work

Other Club or Activity

You might encounter extracurricular activities that don’t fall under the Common App’s categories.

Some examples include:

• Meditation Club
• Health and Wellness Club
• Mental Health Advocacy
• Chess Club or Chess Competition
• Horticulture or Gardening Club
• National Model Railroad Association
• Other Special Interest Club or Hobby

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How to Choose Extracurricular Activities

With so many options to choose from, how do you make sure you’re picking the right activities for your interests? What’s more, how should students plan their activities so that they can have a competitive college application?

We’ve got some great advice for choosing the best extracurricular activities for you and your college aspirations. You can find all of this advice in our self-guided Extracurricular Activities Worksheet, which you can download for free!

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Simple and effective exercises
• Insight into what’s important to you
• Questions designed to help you choose meaningful activities
• A copy of the 500+ activities in this post

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Greg & Kevin

Greg and Kevin are brothers and the co-founders of PrepMaven and Princeton Tutoring. They are Princeton engineering graduates with over 20 years of education experience. They apply their data and research-backed problem-solving skills to the test prep and college preparation process. Their unique approach places a heavy emphasis on personal development, character, and service as key components of college admissions success.

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