Beyond the City: Extracurricular Activities for Kids on the Costa del Sol

While Málaga city has no shortage of after-school options, families living along the coast—from Nerja to Estepona—will find just as many opportunities, if not more, depending on the activity, to keep their kids active, creative, and connected. The Costa del Sol is full of sports clubs, swim schools, and arts programs that cater to both local and international families, often taking full advantage of the region’s sunshine and outdoor lifestyle.

Soccer and basketball are especially abundant here, with teams and clubs available in nearly every town and neighborhood. For those, it’s often best to ask around locally—many children join teams close to home through school friends or neighborhood groups. As the region is so expansive, we have left these categories off the list.

Whatever you are looking for, there’s a wide range of activities across the coast designed for all ages and abilities.

Dance

Isla Rose Dance Academy (Marbella – acro, jazz, hip hop, ballet through academy and teams for ages 3+)
Marbella Dance School (Marbella – ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and tap for ages 2+)
Valiente Dance Academy (Marbella – musical theater, ballet, latin, modern, jazz, and zumba for ages 4+)
Dance Marbella (Marbella – latin and ballroom for ages 3+)
School of Russian Ballet Marbella (Marbella – ballet for ages 3+)
Vicki Reid Academy of Dance (Mijas – ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap, jazz, musical theater for ages 3+)

Gymnastics

Akros Gymnastics (Marbella – artistic gymnastics)
LYNX Gymnastics (Nerja – artistic and rhythmic gymnastics)
C.E.T.D Rhythmic Gymnastics (Marbella – rhythmic gymnastics)

Martial Arts

Bittan Academy (Marbella – Jiu-Jitsu for ages 4+)
Bushji Jiu-Jitsu (Fuengirola – Jiu-Jitsu for ages 4+)

Performing Arts / Theater

The Playmakers (Marbella – acting, singing, dancing for ages 8-18)

STEM

Stemxion (Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Torremolinos – robotics, pre-engineering, videogame creation, animation classes for ages 6-14)

Swimming

Dolphin Academy (Marbella, Puerto Banus, Calahonda, Fuengirola, and Malaga – classes and private lessons for infant+)
Kidtastic (Calahonda and Cancelada – classes and private lessons for infant+ in English, Spanish, Swedish with accommodations for SEN and disabilities)
Little Gem Swimmers (throughout the Costa Del Sol, and Inland in Coin – classes and private lessons for infant+)

Tennis and Padel

Bel-Air Tennis & Padel (Marbella – lessons and junior development programs)
Miraflores Tennis Club (Mijas Costa – lessons and training program)

Availability, schedules, and age groups vary by location, and of course, there are far more options than the ones listed here, but this is a great place to start exploring what’s available for your family along the coast.