- Pick by age: short, playful classes for young kids, one or two weekly activities for school-age kids, real goals for teens.
- In Santa Monica, start with CREST and the school district’s after-school list, then add a sport, an art or a martial art.
- Costs vary: CREST classes are $165 to $235 a session and CREST Club is $375 a month, with financial help for families who qualify.
- Two activities a week plus a free afternoon is plenty for most kids.
- Sign up in late summer, or in January for a fresh start.
After-school activities by age
- Ages 3 to 5. Short, playful classes of 30 to 45 minutes, once or twice a week. Look for movement, listening and taking turns.
- Ages 6 to 9. A good time to try a few things: a team sport, swimming, music, art or a martial art. Skills and friendships both matter.
- Ages 10 to 13. Kids start to commit to one or two activities and enjoy goals they can see, like belts, levels or competitions.
- Teens. Activities with real goals, responsibility and friends tend to stick, from competition teams to helping coach younger kids.
Types of activities
Families in Santa Monica can choose from team sports, swimming, dance, music and art lessons, coding and science clubs, and martial arts such as jiu jitsu, karate and judo. Many kids do one active and one creative activity a week.
Where to find after-school programs in Santa Monica
CREST (Child Care, Recreation, Enrichment, Sports Together) is the City of Santa Monica’s after-school program at the public elementary schools. It includes CREST Club, after-school care for 4th and 5th graders until 6 pm; CREST Enrichment, 8- to 10-week classes for TK to 5th grade; and CREST Camps during school breaks. Enrichment and camps register online, and CREST Club registers in person. See the city’s CREST page.
The district’s list. The Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District’s after-school programs page lists the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club’s options at district schools, from on-campus Playground Club supervision until 4:30 pm to sports leagues, alongside CREST. Many schools also post their own enrichment classes.
Neighborhood programs. The Santa Monica Family YMCA on 6th Street lists after-school enrichment, youth basketball, camps and swimming, and there are coding, art, music and sports programs for kids across the city.
Martial arts. Jiu jitsu, karate and judo schools run kids classes after school. At CJJF, they’re Monday to Thursday afternoons, by the Third Street Promenade.
What after-school programs cost in Santa Monica
Prices depend on how long the program runs and what it includes. Here’s what the city and the school district list:
| Program | Who it’s for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CREST Club | 4th and 5th graders, after school until 6 pm | $375 a month, plus a $50 registration fee |
| CREST Enrichment | TK to 5th grade, 8- to 10-week classes | $165 to $235 a session |
| CREST Camps | School breaks | $450 a week for Santa Monica residents, $500 for non-residents |
| Playground Club (Boys & Girls Club) | On-campus supervision until 4:30 pm | $25 a month, plus $10 for each sibling |
| Sports leagues (Boys & Girls Club) | Elementary and middle school | $250 a season |
| Kids jiu jitsu at CJJF | Ages 3.5 to 12, Monday to Thursday | Monthly membership; the first class is free |
Prices as listed in October 2026, so check each program’s page before you sign up. The city offers financial assistance for CREST to families who qualify, and the Boys & Girls Club offers scholarships. CJJF’s prices are on our membership page.
What to look for
- Safety and supervision, with enough adults watching the group.
- Coaches or teachers who are good with your child’s age group.
- A free trial, so your child can try it before you commit.
- Clear times and prices, published up front.
- An easy trip from school or home, with parking.
- Your child wants to go back. That’s the best sign of all.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- Can my child try a class first?
- What does the price include, and is it a monthly fee or a contract?
- How big are the classes, and how many adults are on the floor?
- What happens if we miss a week?
- Can I stay and watch?
- Is there financial help or a sibling discount?
Fitting it around pickup
Classes that start after 4 pm fit most school pickups. Plan the drive from school, pack a snack, and keep at least one weekday afternoon free for homework and rest.
A sample week
| Day | Ages 3.5–6 | Ages 7–12 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Jiu jitsu, 4:15 pm | Homework and play |
| Tuesday | Swim or music | Jiu jitsu, 5 pm |
| Wednesday | Jiu jitsu, 4:15 pm | Team practice |
| Thursday | Free afternoon | Jiu jitsu, 5 pm |
| Friday | Free afternoon | Free afternoon |
Two classes of one activity plus one of another is plenty for most kids, with at least one free afternoon.
When to sign up
Families look for after-school programs most in August and September, and again in January: last year, US Google searches for “after school programs near me” ran about 50% higher in those months than in a typical month. Trying classes in late summer sets your weekly plan before school starts, and January is a natural second start. CREST Club registers in person, so check the city’s dates early.
Where jiu jitsu fits
Jiu jitsu suits kids who need to move and kids who need confidence. Classes are grouped by age, there are no strikes, and belts and stripes show progress. Monday to Thursday: Little Champions I (ages 3.5–6) at 4:15 pm and Little Champions II (ages 7–12) at 5 pm; from 13, teens join the Fundamentals, All Levels and Advanced classes. We’re at 320 Wilshire Blvd, near the Third Street Promenade and a short walk from the Downtown Santa Monica E Line station, with $1 parking for the first 90 minutes in the public structure right behind the building. Your child’s first class is free.
Wondering if it’s right for your child? Read a parent’s guide to jiu jitsu for kids, check the right age to start, or compare jiu jitsu and karate.
Little Champions I (3.5–6)Little Champions II (7–12)Teen jiu jitsu
After-school questions parents ask
How many after-school activities should my child do?
For most kids, one or two at a time, so there’s still time for homework, play and rest.
When should I sign my child up?
Late summer, so your weekly plan is set before school starts, or January for a fresh start. Many programs, including CJJF’s kids classes, take new kids all year.
How much do after-school programs cost in Santa Monica?
It depends on the program. The city lists CREST Club, after-school care for 4th and 5th graders, at $375 a month, and CREST Enrichment classes at $165 to $235 for an 8- to 10-week session, with financial assistance for families who qualify.
What is CREST in Santa Monica?
CREST (Child Care, Recreation, Enrichment, Sports Together) is the City of Santa Monica’s after-school program at the public elementary schools: CREST Club care for 4th and 5th graders, enrichment classes for TK to 5th grade, and camps during school breaks.
Are martial arts a good after-school activity?
For many kids, yes. They combine exercise with focus and respect, and belts make progress easy to see.
Do you have after-school jiu jitsu for kids?
Yes. Little Champions I (ages 3.5–6) at 4:15 pm and Little Champions II (ages 7–12) at 5 pm, Monday to Thursday. The first class is free.
Is there parking near CJJF?
Yes. The public parking structure right behind the building charges $1 for the first 90 minutes, which covers a kids class.
Sources: City of Santa Monica, CREST (programs, grades, prices and registration). Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District, After School Programs and CREST and School Age Programs. Search interest: Google Ads search volumes for “after school programs near me”, United States, October 2025 to September 2026.