Sure, your child learns the ABCs and 123s during school hours, but what about exploring and discovering additional interests in areas like the arts and sports?

Find the perfect sports activity for your child with help from Little Rock Family’s 2013 Guide to After-School Activities. For more after-school activities, including arts and academics, click here.

Baseball

Bryant Athletic Association: The Bryant Athletic Association is a baseball program dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and high-quality youth sports program for families in Bryant and surrounding communities.

Burns Park Baseball Association: Burns Park Baseball aims to be a positive, rewarding experience for young players.

Junior Deputy Baseball: Junior Deputy offers fall and spring leagues for competitive and recreational players. Cost: spring baseball for players age 4-14 $200-$240; fall baseball for players age 7-14 $110.

Basketball

Boys & Girls Club Basketball: Children ages 6-18 can participate in basketball teams at various Boys and Girls Club locations. The season lasts from November through March.

Little Rock Athletic Club: This state-licensed after-school care program for children in grades preK-6 is designed to exercise the mind and body of each child. The daily schedule includes fitness activities, educational classes, community involvement, arts and crafts, homework, guest speakers and snacks. Cost: registration fee $25; monthly fees: Kids’ club member $176; LRAC member $192; nonmember $208; Siblings receive a 10% discount.

Football

Life CHAMPS Youth Sports: New this year is Division 1 Tackle with no weight limits. Division 2 tackle with weight limits is also offered. Cost: Flag football $160, tackle football $150 (jersey not included)

Golf

Arkansas Golf Center in Conway: The center introduces children to the game of golf. It can also help them further develop their golf swing. Young golfers can learn the fundamentals of the game in a nonthreatening environment. Summer camps, birthday parties and daycare outings are also offered. Cost: Initial lesson $40; call for more info.

Burns Park Golf: Burns Park offers three-day golf clinics in the mornings. Cost: $35 per three-day session. For info: (501) 758-5800.

Country Club of Arkansas: The club offers junior golf camps. Cost: $75 per camp per child.

Stonelinks Golf Academy: The academy offers golf lessons to boys and girls ages 8-17. Golf lessons improve self-esteem and confidence, build character and integrity, and develop leadership skills. Lessons are offered 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Cost: Individual $45/lesson; Group $25/lesson.

The First Tee of Central Arkansas: Being a member of The First Tee of Arkansas gives a young person the opportunity to take part in our organization's numerous golf and life skills activities, and provides them with free greens fees and range balls. Cost: $200/year, all-inclusive. Scholarships available upon request.

Horseback Riding

Diamond TR Horsemanship Academy in Perryville: The Academy provides a safe, family-friendly atmosphere for students of all ages and levels of experience, boarders and their guests. It offers boarding, training and lessons.

Holtzman Riding Academy in Benton: The academy offers lessons, clinics, training, day camps and birthday parties in a safe environment, by a certified resistance-free instructor. Cost: $35 per hour for riding lessons. For info: (501) 316-1141.

Maumelle Equestrian Center: This center offers riding, safety, and horse management learned through games and fun activities, for beginning to advanced riders. Safety is the primary focus.

Midland Farm in Alexander: Midland offers horseback riding lessons in English or Western style on school horses. Cost: $40/private lesson, $35/group lesson; Summer Day Camps $250.

Indoor Climbing

Little Rock Climbing Center: The center offers a First Time Climbers course for children ages 5 and up. Parents must sign a liability waiver for students under age 18 before they can begin classes. Birthday parties are also available. Cost: Day pass and harness rental ages 5-12 $13.50; ages 13 and up $15.50.

Lacrosse

Little Rock Lacrosse: Little Rock Lacrosse has development sessions every season as well as teams for all age groups that play against regional opponents.

Martial Arts

ATA Karate for Kids: At the Arkansas ATA Black Belt Academy and Karate for Kids, there are classes for everyone, from age 3 to 93. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is now offered at the Bowman location.

Community Connections Martial Arts: This program held at Gran Master Hans in Conway ensures that all children ages 7 and up, including those with disabilities, get a chance to learn martial arts. Classes are free, but children must wear a uniform. Cost: Free.

Impact Martial Arts: Students ages 4 and up can choose from martial arts instruction, life skills classes, the Knockout Workout, the student achievement program or weapons classes. Each course is offered year-round. Cost: Prices start at $100 and vary by program and age.

Unity Martial Arts: Unity Martial Arts—winner of Little Rock Family's Family Favorites award for best martial arts—teaches fitness and conflict avoidance through fun, safe exercises and games that help children improve coordination and endurance. Cost: $145/month for up to 5 sessions per week.

US Taekwondo Center in Maumelle: A new 4:30 p.m. session has been added for Fall. Classes are offered 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday for ages 6 and up. The adult and teen program is 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Cost: Call for a free class; four-week introductory program $99 (includes a free uniform).

Westside Mixed Martial Arts: Classes are offered for children ages 3-5 and 6-14. Students can develop listening and motor skills, increase their confidence, and build discipline and concentration. Cost: Introductory classes are free. For info: (501) 663-3850.

Skating

Arkansas Skatium: Ice skating classes are offered each week for ages 4 and up. Cost: $174, includes eight classes, free skates and free season skate pass.

Soccer

Arkansas Soccer Club: Learn soccer in a supportive environment that emphasizes skill learning, team building & fun. Programs available for children ages 18 months to 17 years.

Arkansas United Soccer Club in Bryant: Players ages 3 and up can participate in competitive and recreational soccer.

Community Connections TOP Soccer: TOP Soccer is an adapted soccer program for children with special needs, ages 3-17. Cost: Free.

Softball

Girls Fast Pitch Softball League in Benton: Check the website or call Benton Parks and Recreation for details.

Sports Training

Arkansas Sports Performance Center: Arkansas Sports Performance Center is the place to go if you want to develop speed, strength and agility in a personalized setting. The programs are custom-made for athletes of any sport, from 9 years old and up. Cost: Pay by-the-visit $40/90 minutes or $75/week.

D1 Sports Training: D1 provides the sports training and physical therapy to its members by offering a level of dedication and intensity every athlete needs to succeed in sports and in life.

Swimming

Arkansas Dolphins-Laser Swim Team: Dolphin-Laser Swim Team is a year-round competitive swim program serving swimmers in Little Rock and surrounding communities. The Dolphin-Lasers offer opportunities for improvement and achievement for every level of swimmer, from beginners to national level competition.

Rick’s Dive ‘N Travel Center: Virtually any child who is in good health, likes to read, reasonably fit, and between ages 10-14 can complete the requirements to become a junior Open Water diver. It's safe, fun and healthy. Cost: Guppy Party $150; Flipper Party $175; Down Under Party $200; $50 deposit required to confirm reservation. Scuba class $295/two nights a week for three weeks.

Tennis

Burns Park Tennis Center: The center offers group and private tennis instruction and match play through Junior QuickStart Tennis and Junior Development Clinics.

Henson Park Tennis Court in Sherwood: Tennis lessons are given year-round. Cost: $5/Peewee class (ages 4-7); $10/Beginner (ages 8-16); $10/Intermediate class (ages 9-18); $15/Tournament class.

USTA Junior Team Tennis: USTA Junior Team Tennis brings kids together in teams to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles against other teams. It promotes social skills and important values by fostering a spirit of cooperation and unity, as well as individual self-growth. Cost: $24 for a league.

Did your child's after-school program make our list? If we missed a class, workshop or sports program that your family loves, we want to know! Send an email to BNeel@abpg.com, and we'll add it to our list of After-School Activities next year.