Back to school and extracurriculars: what's in demand, what's new, and how much it will cost you
Ahead of the return to school, the extracurricular season is opening. Prices for classes range from 180 to 400 shekels per month, while extreme sports like surfing can reach 1,650 shekels. Ninja and acrobatics are in peak demand, alongside a new wave of artificial intelligence, drone, and gaming classes. The Association of Community Centers (Matnasim) states that prices remain under full supervision.
Ahead of the new school year, the registration season for extracurricular activities is opening. If in the past the choice was limited to soccer, ballet, or judo, today the landscape is different: parents and children are increasingly seeking skills for the future, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, and digital content creation.
At the Association of Community Centers (Matnasim), which serves about three million residents, officials note that ninja and acrobatics remain the most popular activities. Martial arts (judo, karate, taekwondo, capoeira) and team sports (soccer, basketball) continue to be core staples in community centers.
Technology and New Trends
While traditional dance remains popular, technology is making significant inroads. Classes in Minecraft, robotics, podcasting, and AI-driven content development are now common. Meanwhile, classic classes like baking, sculpture, and art maintain a significant following.
Ariel Meshal, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Community Centers, notes that while gender division persists, there is a growing trend toward mixed classes. Among younger boys, Dungeons & Dragons and chess are trending, while model airplane and amateur radio classes have largely been replaced by 3D printing and robotics.
Pricing
Meshal emphasizes: "In most community center classes, we do not identify a significant price increase. These classes are under full supervision and are about 20% lower than the average market price. While private sector prices jump by 10%–15%, community centers maintain accessibility with moderate adjustments of only 3%–7%."
Costs vary by frequency and age:
-
Basketball: 180–220 NIS (once a week), 260–310 NIS (twice a week).
-
Judo: 180–220 NIS (once a week), 250–300 NIS (twice a week).
-
Soccer: 190–235 NIS (once a week), 270–320 NIS (twice a week).
-
Dance and Ballet: 180–230 NIS (once a week), 250–320 NIS (twice a week).
Specialized Clubs
Family clubs like Holmes Place and the Sportan network include classes in their membership fees. Specialized facilities, such as the Surf Park Tel Aviv lagoon, offer surfing lessons ranging from 695 NIS per month for beginners to 1,650 NIS for advanced reef sessions. Ice skating classes at the Ice Palace in Holon start at 525 NIS per month.
How to Choose?
Dr. Itay Ziv from the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center advises choosing activities that strengthen the child both physically and emotionally: "It is important to adapt the choice to the child's character. Shy children may thrive in smaller, intimate groups, while high-energy children benefit from team sports. Using a trial week is recommended to allow the child to make an informed decision without coercion."
