Being active is healthy for anyone at any age. Active fun activities for kids can give them all the health benefits, and kids don’t even realize they are ‘’exercising’’. This may also be the case with dancing.
Dance classes offer kids not only an opportunity for creative expression and fun but also cardiovascular exercise, lung capacity, and muscle building, not to mention mental health benefits as it’s an outlet for emotions and feelings.
Engaging in a group dance class contributes to social development, given that dance entails both personal and group involvement. Students acquire dance routines and showcase them alongside peers, fostering teamwork while also retaining autonomy over their individual movements.
Prepare your little ones with comfortable clothes that allow easy movement and appropriate footwear (or none, depending on the style), and enroll your mini dancers in any of these fantastic options for dance classes in the Boston area!
If you’re looking for more ways for your kids to engage in more active fun, visit any of these indoor rock climbing spots in Boston! And if they’re up for a dose of boundless excitement, why not immerse them in a world of non-stop jumping ecstasy at these fantastic trampoline parks in the Boston area?
Where: 725 Harrison Ave. #100 Boston, MA 02118 | 1180 Washington Street #100 Boston, MA 02118 | 111 W Concord Street Boston, MA 02118
Through its three South End studios, the School at Urbanity Dance offers high-quality dance training in several styles and genres for students of all ages and experience levels.
The faculty, all from diverse cultural and dance backgrounds, supports each student in their training through a structured, nurturing classroom environment that fosters growth, discipline, and fun.
Childhood classes include Baby Dance (Age 1), Toddler Dance (Age 2), Preschool Dance (Age 3), PreK Dance (Age 4), Kids Dance (Age 5), Preschool Acro (Age 3), and PreK/Kids Acro (Ages 4-5). Primary I–III classes for ages 6–11 include the following style offerings: hip-hop, contemporary, ballet, musical theater dance, acro, and acro. Performance groups include mini crew (hip-hop), mini-company (contemporary), junior company (contemporary), and junior crew (hip-hop). Teen classes for ages 12–18 include Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz Styles and Techniques, Skills Workshop, Improvisation/Freestyle, and Performance Groups: Senior Company (Contemporary) and Senior Crew (Hip Hop).
Where: 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Home of the Urban Nutcracker and the City Ballet of Boston, Tony Williams Dance Center offers various classes for all interests and abilities!
Some of the classes you will find include Creative Dance for children ages 3–4; Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Combo for ages 5–6; Beg. Ballet I, II, or III; Intr. Ballet I, II, or II; Advanced Ballet I or II (Ages 6–adult); Boys Ballet and Conditioning (Ages 7+). The Interdisciplinary Dance Program includes Tap (Level I-III by placement only, usually after age 6); Recreational Ballet/Jazz (Ages 9+); Lyrical/Contemporary (Level Beg. Ballet I-Adv. Ballet II); Hip Hop (Level Beg. Ballet I-Adv. Ballet II); Modern (by placement only, must be enrolled in ballet); Cheerleading; Flamenco; and so much more!
Where: 100 Holton Street, Brighton, MA 02135
Mass Motion Dance offers a wide array of classes for all ages.
Classes and programs include lessons for preschoolers ages 2.5–4, including Tiny Tots, which introduces young movers to basic coordination exercises, stretching and flexibility development, and music appreciation; and Tot Hop, which is a basic introduction to hip hop with age-appropriate music and moves.
Young children ages 5-8 can enjoy Tap/Ballet/Jazz Combo Classes; Child Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern for ages 9–12; and Acro/Hip Hop I (ages 5-8).
The Irish Step Program for ages 5 and up is a non-competitive program in which kids will learn all the fundamentals of Irish dance.
The Teen Program, ages 12+ (beginner-advanced) is a recreational program offering a variety of technique styles in single-hour classes.
Where: 333 Belmont Street, Quincy, MA 02170, USA
Kids can’t help but get up and dance in Hip Kids’ movement classes! And they love the techniques they learn in the fun yoga programs! Skilled teachers build confidence as they encourage and inspire.
Preschool and kindergarten movement Classes include the popular KidzGroove, an engaging intro to dance class where kids gain entry into dance vocabulary and technique, musicality, and body awareness, using props, guided exercises, and visuals to express themselves through dance.
Elementary Movement Classes include KidzHop, an intro to hip-hop course where kids catch the beat grooving to hit tunes they love, learn dance essentials through funky moves, and experience first-hand the various styles of the genre; and MiniYogis, a healthy start to postures, breathing, and meditation techniques using educational props and engaging games.
Where: 19 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116
The Boston Ballet School has been a leading dance education institution in New England for nearly 70 years.
There are programs for every age, including the children (16 months–age 7); the classical ballet program (ages 8–18); adaptive dance (ages 2+); and adult dance programs for ages 16 and older.
Kids can also enjoy summer programs, both for children ages 3–9 and for youth ages 9–18.
Where: 38 Border St, West Newton, MA 02465
From early childhood movement to the signature School for Excellence, JLDC classes nurture dance talent across all ages and dance styles.
For babies and toddlers who are discovering so much about the world around them each day, the award-winning Playdance program helps advance physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Kids ages 3-6 can enroll in Intro to Dance, which teaches age-appropriate basic ballet movement. Those ages 3-5 can have a blast in the Kidzhop, Fit, and Tumble classes, which combine age-appropriate hip-hop moves with basic tumbling skills for fitness and fun. Kids in grades K–1 can enjoy Pre-Ballet/Tap, Hip Hop 1, Jazz/Tap, and AcroDance.
Where: 1 HF Brown Way, Natick, MA 01760
The Greater Boston School of Dance features celebrity-status professional instructors, a warm and welcoming community of dancers and families, and a fun and fully equipped dance studio.
Whether your kid is a beginner (at any age) or an experienced dancer looking to take their dancing to the next level, they can find it all at GBSD.
Kids can find classes from hip-hop to ballet, tap, musical theater, jazz, and more.
Where: 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington MA 02420
The Dance Inn offers various levels of dance classes based on age. Each class is designed to meet the individual needs of its students while taking into account their emotional maturity, attention span, and developmental stage.
The preschool program introduces dance to young children. A typical preschool class is divided into several short, fun activities. Learning about proper dance etiquette results in self-discipline, friendly cooperation, and an important sense of security and trust in the teacher. A variety of music, props, musical instruments, and dance activities are used to make dance class exciting!
The Parent & Me Dance Class (age 18 months) focuses on creative play, movement, and self-expression.
Children in grades 1–5 can enjoy tap, jazz, and ballet combo classes. Hip-hop classes are for children in grades 3 and up.
Where: 23 Main St, Watertown, MA
The Koltun Ballet Academy provides instruction in both classical and contemporary ballet styles for children aged 3 to 9.
Their ballet courses for kids emphasize an enjoyable learning experience combined with instilling discipline. Moreover, the academy also presents more advanced classes aimed at nurturing aspiring female ballet dancers.
Where: 330 Watertown St, Newton, MA 02458, United States
All That Jazz offers early childhood dance classes in Newton.
The GROW WITH US! program is a set of age-based classes designed to help young movers discover the joy of dance as a creative outlet. As dancers grow in age, they also grow in knowledge and skill in preparation for single-style classes in the EXPLORE WITH US! school-age dance program at All That Jazz, beginning at age 7 and above.
Where: 83 Pine Street, Peabody, MA
Crystal Joyce Dance Academy offers many classes for the little dancers in the family!
Dance with Me for Kids 1-2 years old is a parent-child class that introduces children to music and movement; Creative Movement for 3-year-olds introduces the basic fundamentals of dance; Preschool Combo for 4-year-olds teaches the basic fundamentals of ballet and tap in a creative, fun, and nurturing atmosphere. Kinderdance for 5 years old teaches the basic fundamentals of ballet, tap, and an introduction to jazz dance. Students learn musicality, coordination, and rhythm. Primary Combo (6 years old) teaches musicality, flexibility, coordination, and terminology in ballet, jazz, and tap; other classes include jazz, tap, ballet, and lyrical/contemporary for ages 7 and up; and hip-hop and acro for ages 4 and up.
Where: 13 Powers Road in Westford, MA
This dance studio offers new, challenging, and fun dance classes to anyone from age 3 to adults. Some of the dance classes offered are ballet, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, tap, theatrical, and more.
Tots in Tutus is a combination class where dancers will be learning creative movement and pre-ballet!! This is a great introduction to dance for children ages 2-3.
Preschool Class: Introduction to Dance Participation and creativity are encouraged through novelty songs and dances. These classes combine coordination and discipline with a fun preschool feel and are for children ages 3–4.
Kinder classes are designed for dancers ages 5–6 who want a more specific style of training instead of combo classes.
Where: 323 Washington St, Brighton, MA
This is the perfect place for your little one to study ballroom or Latin dance.
There are a variety of ballroom and Latin dance classes for kids and teens. Private dance lessons and group dance classes are offered in both competitive and social ballrooms.
Star Dance School also offers hip-hop and breakdance classes for kids and dance classes for toddlers.
Where: 137 Billings Road, Quincy, MA 02171
Velocity Dance Company offers a wide variety of dance programs for students of all ages.
Some popular options include Creative Movement for kids ages 3-5 who must be potty trained. This developmental class allows kids to learn the basic skills of ballet and tap to help with their physical development, social skills, and coordination. Other options include Kinder-Kids Ages 5–6 and Combo Grades 1–2, which is an hour-and-a-half-long class that introduces ballet, tap, and jazz to first and second-graders. Students will learn technique and dance vocabulary while still having fun.
Where: 49 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
The WestWestbury School of Dance has been in business since 1984.
The school offers dance classes for children ages 3 and up in classical ballet, lyrical ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. All children’s classes end with an annual recital in May.
Where: 738 Main Street, Waltham, MA
Kids who have a lot of energy, enjoy music, dancing, and movements, and want to learn gymnastics, acrobatics, and tricks will have a blast at these classes!
This program combines all the fun that gymnastics and dancing offer with dynamic rock-n-roll music. Classes are designed to teach solid techniques of rock-n-roll dance, partnership skills, and pre-acrobatic and acrobatic elements. Practices include rock-n-roll style dance steps, foot technique, contemporary choreography, dynamic endurance, flexibility, conditioning training, exercises developing coordination, a sense of rhythm, and pre-acro and acro skills.
Where: 536 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139
Kindermusik is an early childhood music and movement program that believes every child is musical and every parent is their most important teacher. Children will enjoy powerful learning through musical play.
Research shows that music fosters a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, language, and physical development. With a trained and licensed Kindermusik educator, your child can participate from birth to seven years old. Kindermusik offers research-based music and movement curricula, classes, and more.
Where: 735 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Ma 02122
Whether you are looking for a once-a-week class or an intensive program designed to set your child on the path to a professional career, Uptown Dance Center is for you!
The center offers co-ed instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and tumbling.
Where: 624 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143
DMSD offers dance classes for all ages and abilities.
For the little ones, you will find many programs, including Basic Beginnings for ages 3–7, which consists of multiple options such as Creative Dance (ages 3–4), Pre-Ballet (ages 4-5), Tap/Musical Theater Combo (age 5), Tap (ages 6-7), and Musical Theater (ages 6-7). Elementary students, ages 7–11, and pre-teens, ages 12+, can enjoy tap, hip-hop, ballet, and jazz/musical theater classes.
Where: 400 Harvard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Young Dancers Program is JMBT’s year-long training program for students ages 3–18, with studios in Harvard Square, Cambridge, and Dorchester, Boston.
The program welcomes students to join a genuinely personal and productive community that offers the most enjoyable and effective training in ballet, ensuring that all students excel technically and artistically beyond their expectations.
Where: Boston
Mini Movers Studio is an on-location dance studio dedicated to bringing quality dance and movement education to children ages 2–10.
Mini Movers provides an inclusive, nurturing, and fun environment for children of all backgrounds. Offering various classes to schools, communities, and more, Mini Movers Studio provides top-notch instruction while instilling confidence and creativity in young movers!
