Children are often physically active by participating in sports and outdoor activities. But what if your child isn’t? For those who don’t get enough exercise and need it for their health, parents can choose something fun and different.
One great idea is to enroll them in a dance class for kids. You don’t have to be an expert to take one, or even know the genre. Austin is home to many dance academies that teach everything, including ballet dance classes for kids of all ages, as well as hip hop dance for beginners, and more.
Just like taking on the challenge of rock climbing or doing some active fun activity, dancing is perfect for exercising both body and mind. It can take the edge off and even spark a passion for a career.
Whether your little dancer is into contemporary, hip-hop, tap, or hasn’t figured it out yet, these great options for dance classes for kids in Austin guarantee they’ll have a blast discovering the magic of dance!
Family-Friendly Dance Studios: Our Top Picks
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Balance Dance Studio
Balance Dance Studio offers many options for dance classes for kids in Austin. The Dancers and Dreams program is designed for dancers ages 2 to 5. Little dancers twirl, tiptoe, and leap in fun dance classes that explore the basics of three different dance genres. Kids ages 6 and up can participate in acro, contemporary/modern, hip-hop, jazz, tap, body conditioning, jumps and turns, ballet, and ballroom classes!2
Greater Austin YMCA Youth Dance Programs
The YMCA offers programs for ages 3 to 14 where they’ll learn creative expression through dance classes. These lessons are taught by inclusive and dedicated instructors in a fun, encouraging environment. Students learn the fundamentals of dance, how to control their body movements, and have a greater awareness of rhythms and music. They also offer ballet classes for kids as well as many other styles such as jazz and hip-hop.3
Ballet Austin
This studio is the perfect place when it comes to toddler ballet classes in Austin. It introduces children 18 months and older to the joy of dance through imaginative stories, music, and games while providing developmentally appropriate movement experiences. Classes are narrative in nature as students are led through a series of movement stories and ballet-based activities that engage them.4
Arthur Murray Dance Centers
For something a little different from classical dance classes, Arthur Murray's top-notch instructors offer the best ballroom, Latin, disco, and country and western dance classes for kids in Austin! Students will naturally learn grace, poise, and etiquette as they master their skills.5
Corazon Latino Dance Studio
Corazon Latino Dance Studio focuses on the kinesthetic development of children through music that assists them in developing a passion for music and dance, as well as movement and rhythm. There are classes for all ages and skill levels! These classes are age-appropriate and designed to train students in movement and dance, developing strength, confidence, and creativity in a fun atmosphere. Classes offered for kids include ballet and Latin dances.6
Dance Austin Studio
Dance Austin is a unique studio with a fun, safe, and non-competitive atmosphere for all ages, levels, and styles. The studio specializes in a variety of dance genres, including ballet, jazz, funk fusion, hip hop dance, and others. The facility is staffed with qualified dance instructors who provide individualized and comprehensive training manuals for each student.7
Shirley McPhail School of Dance
From Twinkle Tots, a creative movement class for 2-3-year-olds, to hip-hop dance classes for kids, this school is everyone's favorite. This class introduces ballet fundamentals, mat, singing, games, and more! Other classes include Combo, which is designed for the new, young student. These classes combine ballet, tap, and tumbling and introduce dancers to the joy of rhythm, movement, and coordination (ages 3-8); creative jazz, ballet, and tap (ages 6-8); and more!8
Tarrytown Dance
Tarrytown Dance School offers fitness and dance classes for kids in Austin, as young as two and a half to adults, encompassing all skill levels. They offer a wide variety of classes, including creative movement, ballet/tap/jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, acrobatics, drill tech, musical theater, pre-pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and many more!9
West Austin Dance Academy
This is a great academy for many reasons. One is that they offer free dance classes for kids, but only one, so you can make sure your child is comfortable with it. The West Austin Dance Academy offers a wide variety of classes, including ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, tumbling/acrobatics, leaps and turns, and musical theater. They are also home to an acclaimed competitive team, giving little ones the chance to be inspired by talented kids dance performance groups10
Synergy Dance Studio
Located in Southwest Austin in the heart of Westlake, Synergy Dance Studio provides children with solid technical training as well as a fun and creative dance experience. Synergy Dance Studio offers classes for all ages, 2 and up, and all levels of training, beginning through pre-professional, specializing in tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, modern, drill team, and also ballet dance classes for kids.11
Dancin’ Jazzi Dance Studio
Located in Southwest Austin in the heart of Westlake, Synergy Dance Studio provides children with solid technical training as well as a fun and creative dance experience. Synergy Dance Studio offers classes for all ages, 2 and up, and all levels of training, beginning through pre-professional, specializing in tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, modern, drill team, and ballet dance classes for kids in Austin.12
Dance Discovery
Central Studio, part of Dance Discovery, is dedicated to building character through the art of dance. Serving children ages 2-17, their instructors offer ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, modern, acro, and more dance classes for kids in Austin. With a focus on creativity and expression, Central Studio helps students build confidence, teamwork, and respect while preparing them for performances and recitals.13
InishFree School of Irish Dance Austin
This dance academy focuses on the teaching of Irish dancing, which sets it apart from others. With a 15-year history, the school is dedicated to nurturing talent, promoting sportsmanship, and instilling proper dance values in its students. In addition to recreational dancing classes for kids, students of InishFree School of Irish Dance Austin participate in international dance competitions.14
Danzversity
Danzversity provides a dynamic and nurturing environment for children and teens to explore dance. Their Kidz n' Teenz classes focus on holistic development and character education, providing quality instruction in a variety of dance styles. While they don't offer Bollywood dance classes for kids in Austin, your child can take classes in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.Dancing strengthens their muscles and improves heart health while having fun, so it is a great plan for the kids. Movement and rhythm classes, or simply experiencing both through any genre, are key to a child’s physical health. You can also allow them to choose their favorite style (why not a Bollywood dance class?) so they can really enjoy it while having fun and learning something useful for later. For other artistic options, consider music or art classes. Austin, Texas, is full of things to do with the kids, so you’ll always have a backup plan.
In fact, you should definitely stay updated with our Austin Kid City Guide, where you’ll find endless adventures for you and your family. Events abound year-round, regardless of the weather or season. This awesome city offers unique experiences during summer, winter, so there’s no excuse: fun is guaranteed throughout the entire year!
