Best Ballet Classes for Kids in Boston

1. Pre-Ballet with The Boston Ballet — South End, Newton

At The Boston Ballet, tiny ballerinas learn the fundamentals of ballet in a studio setting while facing a mirror, just like the big ballet dancers. There are three levels—Pre-Ballet 1, Pre-Ballet-2, and Primary—for kids ages 5-7, before graduating to the Classical Ballet Program. 

2. Toddler Ballet at Little Lovage Club — South End 

Tiny dancers, ages 12-36 months, are introduced to the foundation of ballet and movement in a simple and playful way at Little Lovage Club's ballet class. With less focus on ballet form and technique, kids will concentrate on improving balance and coordination, developing listening and gross motor skills, and having fun.

3. Ballet Class with Mini Movers — Charlestown

Dancers ages 2 to 4 can take their pirouettes and plies outdoors for Mini Movers' ballet class. Ballerinas should bring a yoga mat for this program that focuses on having fun while dancing. 

4. Beginner Ballet at Tony Williams Dance Center — Jamaica Plain

Tony Williams Dance Center takes the students into the world of classical music and teaches discipline and grace. Technique-based training is offered from a young age, teaching correct placement and knowledge of the body as a fine-tuned instrument. Beginner ballet classes begin at age 6. For younger students, the studio also offers Creative Dance and combo classes. 

5. Ballet Classes at the Greater Boston School of Dance — Natick

From Bitty Ballet for little ballerinas ages 2 to 3 all the way up to Classical Ballet, the Greater Boston School of Dance grows with your dancers. 

6. Boston Premier Ballet Academy at Koltun Ballet Boston — Watertown

Koltun Ballet's academy teaches classical and modern ballet to kids ages 3 to 9. KBB ballet classes for kids focus on having fun while teaching discipline. The academy offers more serious classes that focus on training future ballerinas. 

Learn Hip Hop at Urbanity Dance.

Top Hip Hop Classes for Boston Kids

7. Hip Hop at Urbanity Dance — South End 

Starting at age 6, your kids can learn some fresh moves at Urbanity Dance's Hip Hop classes. The classes focus on building strength, coordination, flexibility, memory, and confidence through movement.

8. Acro/Hip Hop Dance Class at Mass Motion Dance — Medfield

For dancers looking for a creative introduction to dance, the Mass Motion Dance Acro/Hip Hop class is perfect. This class works on acrobatic skills that increase strength and flexibility, body awareness, coordination, and control, as well as Hip Hop, which develops dancers' personal expression through movement.

9. JazzHop at Hip Kids — Dorchester

This Hip Kids class merges two beloved genres—jazz and hip hop. Young dancers learn fun and funky dance techniques that help their coordination and self-confidence.

10. Hip Hop at Joanne Langione Dance Center — Newton

For kids looking to bust a move, ages 5 and up, the Joanne Langione Dance Center class teaches the fundamentals of urban dance. 

Go old school and learn to breakdance at Star Dance School.

11. Hip Hop and Breakdance with Star Dance School — Brighton 

Hip hop dancing incorporates a variety of old and new urban dance styles, including breakdancing—which this class also focuses on for kids ages 4 and up. The Star Dance School's hip hop class will help your child polish her or his moves in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.

12. Hip Hop at Velocity Dance Company — Quincy

This high-energy class at Velocity Dance Company is an integration of jazz and pure hip hop style, with age-appropriate music. With a combination of invigorating warm-up and strengthening exercises, dancers will be encouraged to "freestyle", using their own creativity and style.

13. Hip Hop Dance Classes at The West Roxbury School of Dance — West Roxbury 

Starting at age 7, Boston kids can start popping and locking at The West Roxbury School of Dance hip hop classes. Younger dancers start to find their rhythm at one of the studio's jazz classes.

Both modern and traditional Irish dancing at O'Shea Chaplin Academy of Dance.

Totally Unique Dance Classes for Kids in Boston

14. O'Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance — Melrose

Get little feet moving at an Irish step dancing class at this studio. The academy teaches both modern and traditional Irish dancing and students perform throughout the year at different events and places.  

15. Acrobatic Rock-N-Roll at Acrobatic Rock-N-Roll Academy — Waltham 

If your little one has a lot of energy, enjoys music and dancing and wants to learn gymnastics, acrobatics, and tricks—this is a perfect class. At this studio's Acrobatic Rock-N-Roll class, dancers learn a sporty form of dance, based on rock-n-roll footwork with high bouncing kicks and acrobatic tricks, all danced to—you guessed it—rock-n-roll.

Not sure what type of dance is right for your tiny dancer? Try a combo class at All That Jazz.

16. Combo Class at All That Jazz — Newton 

Just dipping your youngster's toes into the world of dancing? Try out one of the combo classes at All That Jazz designed just for little dancing feet. Dancers will learn multiple styles at once in a fun and supportive environment. 

17. Lyrical Dance Class at Momentum Dance — Wellesley 

While Momentum Dance also offers more traditional dance classes, this Lyrical class is a fun way to get young dancers moving. In this story-telling style of dance, students learn a combination of jazz and ballet techniques. Dancers use their movements to interpret the lyrics of a song.

18. International Dance at the JCC Greater Boston — Newton 

Explore different styles of dance from around the world in this upbeat and energizing International Dance class. Students, ages 5 to 10, take a journey through African dance, Latin dance, hip hop styles, and more. 

Cool Toddler Dance Classes for Kids in Boston

19. Dance with Me at Ballroom in Boston — Watertown 

At this intro to movement class, toddlers ages 2 to 3 can explore moving their bodies to music. Dance with Me is a parent and child class and adults are encouraged to participate and dance along with their little ones.

20. Creative Movement at Preschool Moves — Newton and Chestnut Hill

Preschool Moves' Creative Movement classes are offered both indoors and outdoors. This dance class uses guided exercises, visuals, dance games, music, and fun props to get little dancers wiggling and giggling. 

21. Dance with Me at Crystal Joyce Dance Academy — Peabody

Dance with Me is designed for two-year-olds and their parents or guardians. The class focuses on movement and music, balancing some structure with lots of fun. 

22. Introduction to Dance at the Dance Inn — Lexington

Dance Inn offers three different Introduction to Dance classes for ages 3 to 5. Each class uses a variety of music, props, musical instruments, and dance activities to make dancing fun and exciting.

23. Tots in Tutus at Spotlight Dance Academy — Westford 

Tots in Tutus is designed for the littlest of dancers, ages 2 and 3. While students will learn the fundamentals of ballet, the real focus is on fun in this class. Tutus welcome!

Photos courtesy of the dance studios