I haven’t read the whole thread but I’m against the over-scheduling of young kids and believe they need free time to develop their imaginations, learn how to play with others without adult interference, and learn how to be “alone” but not lonely. Because of this mindset, my kids were only allowed one activity each semester/year and, once they started it, they were not allowed to quit. Their second activity choice was between Sunday School or scouting. This left them plenty of time to shoot hoops in the driveway, ride bikes to the reservoir to fish or go to the playground, etc., not to mention dinners together most nights, which I feel is very important. Academics were first in my house, then activities/sports. My D tried figure skating, watercolor art classes, ballet and hip hop, and a few other things but scouting turned out to be her favorite (she earned her Gold Award). Son played baseball from age 5 and added football at age 13. He also did some diving at the local YMCA and some boxing lessons. Plenty of ECs, but not so many that it interrupted our family life or their academics.