This study investigates why young children drop out of after-school care in favor of other activities. Drawing on self-determination theory and a child-centered perspective, the research examines how autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence children's decisions. The study uses interviews with children as its primary method and identifies key factors behind their choices. The findings reveal that children often prioritize activities that align with their personal interests and provide a sense of mastery, such as sports, music, or other specialized programs. Parental influence also emerges as a significant factor in children leaving after-school care. From the children's perspective, a lack of autonomy and limited opportunities to pursue individual interests within after-school programs may lead to disengagement.The study emphasizes the importance of understanding children’s perspectives to design after-school programs that meet their needs. By incorporating more interest-driven and self-determined activities and fostering collaboration with external organizations, after-school care could better support children’s development and engagement. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on enhancing the role of after-school care in children’s daily lives. Finally, while children’s perspectives may change over time, ensuring that after-school centers offer meaningful activities during their time there remains critically important