Clubs Kids Will Love!
When kids join a club, it can introduce them to new activities or allow them to practice and HONE the skills they already have. A club is a great place to meet people who have similar interests and make new friends. It can offer fun and a fulfilling way to spend your free time.
There are many different types of clubs, so finding one that piques your interest and fits your schedule is important. You can find clubs through your school or afterschool programs, through community organizations and youth leagues, or offered at city programs. Here are a few of the coolest clubs that Boomer is excited about this school year!
Time for Tech
There are a lot of different ways to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) with fun hands-on clubs and activities. Whether you want to learn coding, robotics, or show off your gaming skills, there’s a group for you!
Building with LEGO bricks is fun for kids of all ages. When students dive into LEGO robotics, it gives them a way to learn coding, work together as a team, and tackle real world problems while developing their critical thinking skills.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge lets kids design, build and code a robot to handle a mission. FLL teams and robots compete against other teams. The robot mission is different each year. Students work together to problem solve and get their robot to navigate a given challenge. Teams can be formed at schools, at libraries or through youth organizations. In Arizona, teams that win in their regional competitions advance to state championships that happen each winter on the ASU campus.
Coding is something kids can explore with Code Club at their local library, Girls Who Code, or a coding or Esports club at school. Kids who want to create their own webpage, design their own game, or just get behind the screen and see how things work are sure to enjoy learning how to code.
Many kids like to play video games, but esports take video gaming to a new level as kids compete against other gamers. Esports has moved video gaming off your parents’ couch and onto the world stage with big time tournaments and even professional players.
Competitive gaming now runs the gamut from professionals and college teams to amateur and youth clubs. Beyond the entertainment, esports can boost strategic thinking and employ problem solving smarts. Kids can learn to code their own games, too!
When it comes to competing in esports, students in Arizona are S tier—in fact, students from C.E. Rose K–8 have played in the championships in Super Smash Bros and have reached the final four in esports Rocket League. In May 2025, Rose K–8 teams swept first, second and third place at the Arizona’s Children Rocket League Open at held at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. The students even faced off against GCU’s varsity team in an exhibition match.
Leave It All on the Board—Chess, Anyone?
When it comes to strategy and critical thinking, chess is considered the ultimate game. Playing chess is associated with complex and creative skills and smarts. According to former world champion Anatoly Karpov, “Chess is everything: art, science and sport.”
An early version of chess called chaturanga was played in India in the 7th century. The game spread across the world and had many rule changes occur over the years. The modern chess set was designed by Englishman Nathaniel Cook and patented in 1849. It became known as the Staunton pattern after being endorsed by the best player of the era, Howard Staunton.
Junior Sun Devil Club
If you are a kid who loves Arizona State sports—maybe you dream of being a Sun Devil one day—join the Junior Sun Devil Club. Kids who join can get free admission to selected athletic events.
Junior Sun Devil Club members also have access to special events and once in a lifetime experiences. Membership is available for kids in grade 8 and younger. So if you are an ASU sports fan, this may be the right club for you
Arizona KidCats Club
If you are a kid who loves University of Arizona sports—maybe you dream of being a Wildcat one day—join the Arizona KidCats Club. Kids who join can get free admission to select athletic events (excluding football, men’s basketball and softball.
KidCats Club members also have access to special Wildcat-themed events. Membership is available for kids in grades K–8. Kids can get a free membership when opening a youth account at Hughes Federal Credit Union.
Wright Flight Lets Kids Soar
Wright Flight allows kids to study aviation, and when they meet their goals they get to fly! The program encourages aviation education and rewards student who set and achieve academic goals with a flight—and a change to take the controls.
Working with schools, Wright Flight offers three different programs. Students must make a pledge, sign a contract that details academic or behavioral improvement, and participate in aviation lessons and then pass an exam.
Kids who meet their goals and then pass the exam get to go up in a plane with a volunteer pilot and have a chance to pilot the plane themselves! It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
Something to Sing About
If you love to sing and want to improve your vocal technique, you might want to join a choir. You might join a choir at your school. In the Valley, check out the Phoenix Boys Choir or the Phoenix Girls Chorus. In Tucson, check out the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus or Tucson Girls Chorus. There are choirs for kids in kindergarten through high school, for kids who have been singing for years but also for beginners.
There’s nothing like the community, CAMARADERIE and sense of cooperation you will feel when you sing with your peers. So if you like sing along with your favorite Kpop band or if you can’t help but harmonize with the radio when you’re riding in the car, it’s time to get your groove on and join a choir!
Girl Scouts Gives Girls Confidence
If you are a girl who loves to try new things, learn life skills and get into the outdoors, adventure awaits you when you join Girl Scouts. Girls learn skills, make lifelong friends, gain confidence and change the world for the better when they join a troop at their school or in the neighborhood.
Girl Scouts teaches valuable lessons in a girl-led environment that boosts self esteem, promotes leadership skills and teamwork, and sets girls up for academic and future career success. Girls in kindergarten through grade 12 can start their journey today!
Still Looking for an Activity?
Tucson Parks and Recreation has classes and programs for kids and teens. See options and register at ezeereg.com.
Find fun youth programs at your local library. Visit library.pima.gov.
Join Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. Check out programs and clubhouse locations at bgctucson.org.
In Phoenix, many municipalities offer youth programs and classes. Check out these websites.
Chandler: Recreation chandleraz.gov
Gilbert: Parks and Recreation gilbertaz.gov
Glendale: Play glendaleaz.gov
Mesa: Parks & Recreation mesaaz.gov
Phoenix: Parks and Recreation phoenix.gov
Scottsdale: Community Programs scottsdaleaz.gov
Tempe: Recreation tempe.gov
Find fun youth programs at the library.
Maricopa County Library District. mcldaz.org
Phoenix Public Library phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Join the Boys & Girls Club or YMCA.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
bgcaz.org
Valley of the Sun YMCA
valleyymca.org
