【2026 Latest Edition】Ranking of Extracurricular Activities Parents Want Their Children to Do! TOP 10 Announced by Gender
This survey, conducted by NEXER Inc. and Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic, polled 100 men and women nationwide about extracurricular activities they wish for their children. For boys, swimming ranked #1, while for girls, piano took the top spot. Both genders showed strong interest in English conversation and programming, reflecting a desire to equip children with skills for future careers and a global society.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 22:55 (372h 39m after Collected)
■ Extracurricular Activities Parents Want Their Children to Do: Boys' #1 is 'Swimming', Girls' #1 is 'Piano'
For parents wishing for their children's growth, 'What kind of extracurricular activities do they want their children to do?' is one of their major concerns.
The purposes vary, such as physical fitness or skills useful for future careers.
Therefore, this time, in collaboration with Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic, we conducted a survey on 'Extracurricular Activities Parents Want Their Children to Do' targeting 100 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they 'have children under elementary school age, or do not currently have children but want them in the future'.
*When quoting the content of this press release, please take the following actions:
- State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic'.
- Install a link to Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic (https://www.nipt-clinic.jp/).
Survey Outline: 'Survey on Extracurricular Activities Parents Want Their Children to Do'
Survey Method: Internet survey
Survey Period: March 5, 2026 - March 24, 2026
Survey Target: Nationwide men and women who responded in a preliminary survey that they 'have children under elementary school age' or 'do not currently have children but want them in the future'.
Valid Responses: 100 samples
Question Content:
Question 1: Please select all that apply to your current situation. *Marriage status is not inquired.
Question 2: For your son, or if you were to have a son, please select all the 'extracurricular activities' you would want him to do. (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 3: Please tell us the reason why you would want your son, or if you were to have a son, to learn that extracurricular activity.
Question 4: For your daughter, or if you were to have a daughter, please select all the 'extracurricular activities' you would want her to do. (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 5: Please tell us the reason why you would want your daughter, or if you were to have a daughter, to learn that extracurricular activity.
Extracurricular Activities Ranking for Boys!
◆ #1 Swimming - 27 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- It's better to be able to swim even as an adult. (30s, Male)
- It's good for the body and efficient. (40s, Female)
- Because I want them to be healthy. (40s, Female)
- To build stamina. (30s, Female)
- Swimming is useful in many ways in the future. (30s, Female)
'Swimming' was chosen as #1.
Swimming, as a full-body exercise, tends to be chosen for the purpose of building physical fitness and maintaining health, with many comments looking towards the future such as 'it's better to be able to swim even as an adult'.
◆ Tied for #2 Soccer - 20 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- I want them to learn the importance of teamwork by participating in a sport with others. (30s, Male)
- I want them to build their bodies well through soccer. (30s, Female)
- I thought soccer was the most popular sport. (20s, Female)
- Because I used to play soccer. (30s, Male)
'Soccer' was tied for #2.
Voices emphasizing the desire to foster cooperation and social skills unique to team sports were noticeable. Many chose it based on their own experiences, saying 'Because I used to play it,' suggesting it is a popular sport passed down through generations.
◆ Tied for #2 English Conversation - 20 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- Considering the current era. (30s, Male)
- I think they can learn skills that would be useful in many countries. (30s, Female)
- I want them to do something useful for work. (30s, Male)
- I think it will definitely be useful. (30s, Female)
- It seems convenient. (30s, Male)
'English Conversation' was also chosen as tied for #2.
In today's increasingly globalized world, this reflects parents' high awareness of wanting their children to acquire English proficiency from an early age. Many see English conversation as an investment to broaden future possibilities, with comments like 'Considering the current era' and 'It seems useful in many countries'.
◆ #4 Baseball - 19 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- I want them to become like Shohei Ohtani. (20s, Male)
- Team activities are important. (30s, Male)
- Because I used to play. (40s, Male)
- Because I like baseball. (30s, Female)
- I can teach them. (30s, Male)
'Baseball' was chosen as #4.
There were also voices inspired by Shohei Ohtani's global success, highlighting the significant influence of top athletes. It seems to be supported as a sport that parents and children can enjoy together, with comments like 'Team activities are important' and 'I can teach them'.
◆ #5 Programming - 18 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- It can lead to a job. (30s, Male)
- It will be important from now on. (20s, Female)
- The ability to create things yourself is useful. (40s, Male)
- To be useful in the future. (30s, Male)
- I want them to do something that can lead to a job. (20s, Male)
'Programming' was chosen as #5.
Against the backdrop of the advancement of the IT society, many voices saw programming as a skill directly linked to future careers.
◆ #6 - #10
From here, we will present rankings #6 to #10 together with some of the reasons.
#6 Piano - 16 votes
- I think singing songs and developing a sense of rhythm is good. (30s, Female)
- I want to cultivate a sense of rhythm. (20s, Female)
Tied for #7 Karate - 12 votes
- I want them to become strong both mentally and physically. (30s, Female)
- I want them to learn Japanese martial arts. (30s, Male)
Tied for #7 Calligraphy - 12 votes
- Seems useful for the future. (20s, Female)
- Useful. (30s, Female)
Tied for #9 Basketball - 10 votes
- It seems like they will grow taller. (20s, Female)
- It's cool. (30s, Female)
Tied for #9 Cram School - 10 votes
- Maybe it will be useful in the future. (30s, Female)
- Studying is important. (30s, Female)
And so, this time, the rankings turned out as follows.
Extracurricular Activities Ranking for Girls!
◆ #1 Piano - 35 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- Because I enjoyed learning it myself. (20s, Female)
- It enriches the soul. (30s, Female)
- Because I want them to experience music. (30s, Male)
- Because I can't do it myself. (30s, Female)
- Because playing the piano is fun. (30s, Female)
'Piano' was chosen as #1.
In addition to expectations for emotional development, such as 'It enriches the soul' and 'I want them to experience music,' it was also found that parents' own experiences and aspirations, such as 'I enjoyed learning it myself' and 'Because I can't do it myself,' were reasons for their choices.
◆ #2 English Conversation - 25 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- I want them to become adults who can be active globally. (50s, Male)
- So they can be active in various places. (50s, Male)
- It will be necessary in the future. (30s, Female)
- Considering the current era. (30s, Male)
- I think it will be useful. (30s, Female)
'English Conversation' was chosen as #2.
It also ranked tied for #2 in the boys' ranking, boasting high popularity regardless of gender. As exemplified by the comment 'I want them to become adults who can be active globally,' it can be seen as an extracurricular activity to broaden their future opportunities.
◆ #3 Dance - 18 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- I want them to do it because it seems like it will become a mandatory subject. (20s, Female)
- Because it's cool. (30s, Female)
- I used to do it. (20s, Female)
- I want them to hone skills that make them look beautiful. (30s, Male)
'Dance' was chosen as #3.
Its ability to foster expressiveness and physical abilities is valued, and it is characteristic that dance, which was outside the rankings for boys, placed third for girls.
◆ #4 Calligraphy - 17 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- Because people often compliment me on my beautiful handwriting. (30s, Female)
- Being good at writing will be beneficial even as an adult. (30s, Male)
- I chose it because I thought it was a ladylike extracurricular activity. (30s, Female)
'Calligraphy' was chosen as #4.
Even in an era of increasing digitalization, the ability to write beautifully is useful in various aspects of daily life. The heartfelt comments about 'being complimented on beautiful handwriting' are impressive, showing its enduring popularity as an activity where benefits can be felt quickly.
◆ #5 Programming - 14 votes
Survey respondents provided comments such as:
- It leads to a job. (20s, Female)
- They seem like they will become smart. (30s, Male)
- Because it's necessary. (40s, Male)
- Management skills. (40s, Male)
'Programming' was chosen as #5.
This can be seen as a result reflecting parents' expectations to foster logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
◆ #6 - #10
From here, we will present rankings #6 to #10 together with some of the reasons.
#6 Swimming - 12 votes
- Because I want them to be healthy. (40s, Female)
- It seems useful for choosing future careers. (20s, Female)
Tied for #7 Ballet - 10 votes
- I want them to hone skills that make them look beautiful. (30s, Male)
- I think it's good for the future. (40s, Male)
Tied for #7 Gymnastics - 10 votes
- It's better to have a flexible body. (30s, Female)
- Maintaining physique. (30s, Male)
Tied for #7 Abacus - 10 votes
- They will become smart. (40s, Male)
- Because it's useful. (30s, Female)
Tied for #7 Cram School - 10 votes
- I want them to reach at least a minimum level. (30s, Female)
- Studying is important. (30s, Female)
And so, this time, the rankings turned out as follows.
In this survey, 'Swimming' was ranked #1 for boys, and 'Piano' for girls. Both 'English Conversation' and 'Programming' ranked high for both genders, indicating a growing parental awareness of wanting their children to acquire skills that can be used in future careers and in a global society.
The desire to broaden children's potential is common, and it appears parents are considering both physical and intellectual development in a balanced way. Please use this as a reference for choosing extracurricular activities with an eye toward your child's future.
<Notes for Use in Articles, etc.>
- State that the source is 'A survey by NEXER Inc. and Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic'.
- Install a link to Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic (https://www.nipt-clinic.jp/).
【About Hiraisi Kodomo Clinic】
Address: 1-10-7 Nishi-Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021, MMS Building 6F
Director: Masaki Watanabe
Tel: 0120-220-944
URL: https://www.nipt-clinic.jp/
【About NEXER Inc.】
Head Office: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
Representative Director: Yuya Miyata
Business Activities: Internet Research, SEO, Web Branding, Review Content, Real Shop Support, Website Production