After-School Activities for Kids in Buenos Aires: Sports, Arts, and More
Buenos Aires has excellent after-school activities for children — tango, football, swimming, art, and music. Here's how to find them and what the options look like.
Rosie CarterWriter · Palermo, Buenos Aires
One of the things I was worried about before moving with children was whether Buenos Aires would have the same range of after-school activities I'd been used to in London. The answer is yes — and in some ways more, and almost universally cheaper.
The club de barrio: Buenos Aires's secret resource
Every neighbourhood in Buenos Aires has one or more clubs de barrio — neighbourhood social clubs offering sports, activities, and social events at low monthly fees. These clubs are used by Argentine families and almost entirely unknown to newly arrived expats.
For monthly fees that often amount to USD 15-40 per month per child, a club de barrio typically offers: football, basketball, handball, volleyball, athletics, swimming (in clubs with pools), gym access, and various social events.
Finding yours: search "club de barrio" + your neighbourhood name in Google Maps. Visit in person. Many have no online presence.
Football
If your son or daughter wants to play football, they'll be warmly welcomed at any level. Argentine football academies (escuelitas de fútbol) operate at every club and several independent locations. Quality coaching, good facilities, affordable.
Most British expat children report that football is the fastest way to make Argentine friends of their age. The language barrier matters much less when you're playing together.
Swimming
Buenos Aires has good swimming infrastructure. Club-based pools are the main option for serious swimming. Private academies teach technique. Costs: ARS 5,000-15,000 per month depending on frequency.
The Federación Metropolitana de Natación organises competitive swimming for children who want to compete.
Tango
Yes, children can learn tango — and it's genuinely worth encouraging. Several schools in Palermo and San Telmo offer children's tango classes from around age 6. It builds rhythm, coordination, and social confidence. More importantly, it's a cultural experience that most adult Brits who discover Argentina wish they'd started earlier.
Music and arts
Buenos Aires has a rich music teaching tradition. Piano, guitar, violin, and flute lessons are available privately and through music schools at competitive prices.
The city's art school system is excellent — from neighbourhood ateliers to specialist schools. For children with strong creative inclinations, Buenos Aires offers serious training.
English-language options
Some British expat families want activities where the instruction language is English. Options:
- British schools in Buenos Aires often run holiday programmes and afternoon activities open to non-enrolled children in some cases
- Several private activity centres in Palermo run sessions in English
- The Scouts movement operates in English through the British community
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Frequently Asked Questions
What after-school activities are available for children in Buenos Aires?
Football, swimming, tango, basketball, volleyball, music, and art — all widely available. Neighbourhood clubs (clubes de barrio) offer most sports at very low monthly fees.
Can my child learn tango in Buenos Aires?
Yes — several schools in Palermo and San Telmo offer children's tango classes from around age 6. It's an excellent activity and a genuine cultural experience.
Are after-school activities expensive in Buenos Aires?
No — neighbourhood clubs charge USD 15-40 per month for broad activity access. Individual sport or arts classes run ARS 3,000-10,000 per month (USD 3-10 equivalent at favourable rates).
Sources & Links
Further reading — legal & visa
We cover the lifestyle side. When it comes to visas, residency, and the paperwork — these guides from Lucero Legal are the most thorough we've found.
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