Top Kids' Classes in the LA Area: 62 Picks From Music to Robotics!
The top kids' classes in the LA area cover every age and interest: caregiver music circles for babies, tumbling for toddlers, ballet and ceramics for preschoolers, and coding, rock bands, surfing and improv for big kids and teens. Below are 62 classes across Los Angeles, each with ages, address and a parent tip.
The best class is the one your kid begs to go back to, and that depends on age, temperament and how far you're willing to drive on a weeknight. So we grouped every pick by activity, ordered each section from central LA outward, and flagged the free and low-cost city programs that make trying something new easy on the budget.
Key Takeaways
Best for babies and toddlers: LoveBug & Me, LadyBug Music, The Family Room, and the caregiver gym classes at Wild Child Gym and Flip 1st Gymnastics.
Best budget picks: PlayLA youth sports, Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, SwimLA lessons and the free drop-in Every Body Plays program at LA County parks.
Free music training: Harmony Project runs tuition-free orchestras, bands and classes for K–12 students at sites across LA.
Best for big kids and teens: School of Rock, Code Ninjas, theCoderSchool, Hollywood Boulders, Learn to Surf LA and The Crow's teen comedy classes.
Try before you commit: The Little Gym, theCoderSchool, 3-2-1 Acting Studios, School of Martial Arts and Clever Fox Chess Club all offer a free first class or intro session.
Find more near you: Filter our Classes & Workshops directory by age, category and neighborhood.
Best Kids' Classes in LA by Age: Our Quick Picks
Short on time? Start here, then jump to the full listings below for addresses, prices and tips.
Babies (0–12 months): LoveBug & Me BabyBugs, The Pump Station parent groups, The Family Room Parent & Me and LadyBug Music's Babies Only class.
Toddlers (1–3): PLAY music classes, Wild Child Gym, Flip 1st Gymnastics' 1st Flippers, Westside School of Ballet Parent & Me and SwimLA Parent & Child lessons.
Preschoolers (3–5): Purple Twig Process Art, SwimLA Tiny Tots, YADA Tots, School of Rock Little Wing and Pasadena Dance Theatre's Creative Movement.
Elementary (6–10): Code Ninjas, Barnsdall Junior Arts Center, LACMA kids' art classes, Little Kitchen Academy, Clever Fox Chess Club and PlayLA sports.
Tweens and teens (11+): School of Rock's Performance Program, Hollywood Boulders Youth Club, theCoderSchool, Margie Haber Studio, Joshua LeBar Studios and Learn to Surf LA camps.
Baby, Toddler and Parent & Me Classes in LA
These classes are as much for you as for your little one: a reason to get out of the house, a group of parents with babies the same age, and songs you'll be humming all week.
Where: Los Feliz, Pasadena/South Pasadena, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, the Valley and other LA neighborhoods (check the website for current locations)
Ages: Babies to 5 years, with a caregiver
Cost: Music $135/month; BabyBugs $155/month; $30 one-time registration fee
LoveBug & Me is a parent-and-child music program where babies and preschoolers sing, dance and play along with live music next to their grown-up. Besides the core music class, there are BabyBugs music-and-sensory classes for 0–18 months, bilingual Spanish music classes and sensory art.
Parent Tip: Babies under 6 months can join free with an enrolled older sibling, which makes this an easy pick for families with two little ones.
Address: Silverlake Conservatory of Music, 4652 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ages: 6 months–4 years (mixed age), plus a separate class for 4s and 5s
Cost: Fall 2026 10-week session: $310 ($263 for a sibling; babies under 6 months free)
PLAY runs parent-and-child music and movement classes at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. Mixed-age groups sing, move and play instruments together, and classes are capped at 10 children.
Parent Tip: Joining mid-session? Pricing is pro-rated, so you don't have to wait for the next term to start.
Address: 2727 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (plus a Melrose Avenue location)
Ages: Newborns and babies; groups are set by baby's birth date
Cost: Mommy & Me $525 (Santa Monica) or $450 (Melrose); 4-week first-time group $210 (Santa Monica)
The Pump Station's Mommy & Me, My Parents & Me and first-time parent groups give new parents a weekly place to learn, ask questions and meet families with babies the same age. Groups are led by trained educators, including licensed psychotherapists.
Parent Tip: Because groups are organized by birth date, ask which group your baby fits before you register.
Address: 12215 Ventura Blvd. #114, Studio City, CA 91604 (also Beverly Hills, Westlake and the South Bay)
Ages: Babies Only (infant–12 months); Mixed Age (infant–4 years); Big Kids (2½–6 years)
Cost: Please check the website
LadyBug Music's 40–45 minute classes mix singing, instruments and movement, with new music every season. The Babies Only class is just for babies and their grown-ups.
Parent Tip: Have a baby and a preschooler? The Mixed Age class lets siblings share one class.
Address: 10116 Riverside Dr. #201, Toluca Lake, CA 91602 and 2130 Huntington Dr., San Marino, CA 91108
Ages: Prenatal; 0–12 months; 12–36 months
Cost: Please check the website
The Family Room runs Parent & Me series grouped by baby's age in months, plus Toddler & Me, music, yoga and movement, dad groups and prenatal classes. Parent & Me meets for eight weekly 90-minute classes.
Parent Tip: Not ready to commit? Free drop-in playgroups are a low-pressure way to see if the vibe fits.
Where: Rotating Westside parks, including 11430 Woodbine St., Los Angeles, CA 90066 and 6200 Playa Vista Dr., Playa Vista, CA 90094; South Bay classes in Manhattan Beach
Ages: Pregnancy through postpartum; babies come along in their strollers
Cost: First class free; $25 drop-in; $190 for 10 classes; memberships $99–$119/month
FIT4MOM's Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre are outdoor workouts for moms where babies ride along in the stroller, with prenatal and core classes on the schedule too.
Parent Tip: On rainy days, class runs only if at least two people sign up by 8 a.m., so check before you load up the stroller.
Gymnastics, Movement and Climbing Classes
For kids who climb the couch, the bookshelf and you, these gyms give all that energy somewhere to go.
Address: 1107 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Ages: Kids Club 7–11; Youth Club 12+; climbing camps 7–12
Cost: Kids day pass (12 and under) $30; check the website for club and camp pricing
This Touchstone Climbing bouldering gym runs youth clubs, camps and development, training and competition teams. Coaches are SafeSport-certified.
Parent Tip: Start with a day pass so your climber can try the walls before you sign up for a club.
Address: 9715 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 and 12746 W. Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 2-2120, Playa Vista, CA 90094
Ages: 3 months–7 years
Cost: Memberships and class packs; please check the website
Wild Child Gym's movement, sensory and gym classes follow each stage, from Droolers (3–6 months) and Movers (crawling to 12 months) up to Beginning Skills (3½–5) and Advanced Skills (5–7).
Parent Tip: Droolers and Bruisers are caregiver classes, so wear clothes you can sit on the floor in.
Address: 1908-C Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Ages: 10 months to adult
Cost: Please check the website
Flip 1st runs toddler and preschool classes, gymnastics levels, ninja, cheer and special needs classes in one Santa Monica gym.
Parent Tip: 1st Flippers (10–18 months) and Tumbling Toddlers (19–26 months) are parent-participation classes, a sweet first step before drop-off gymnastics.
Address: 2827 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (also Encino, Pasadena and Valencia)
Ages: 6 weeks–10 years
Cost: Please check the website
My Gym mixes music, games, tumbling and equipment play in classes for babies through elementary schoolers, and several LA-area gyms also run camps.
Parent Tip: The Santa Monica gym hosts a free Open House once a year, a fun way to test it out at no cost.
Address: 16101 Ventura Blvd. #150, Encino, CA 91436 (also 22724 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505)
Ages: Newborn–5 years, grouped from 0–8 months up to 22 months–5 years
Cost: Please check the website
Gymboree Play & Music offers play, music and art classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, with each class matched to a developmental stage.
Parent Tip: Use the schedule's age filter so you land in the right class the first time.
Address: 2196 Foothill Blvd., Ste. A1, La Cañada, CA 91011 (also Monrovia, Torrance and Lakewood)
Ages: 4 months–12 years
Cost: Free intro class; tuition varies by location
The Little Gym's non-competitive gymnastics, dance and Parent/Child classes are grouped by age, so babies learn alongside a grown-up and older kids build real skills and confidence.
Parent Tip: The Torrance gym also has Tummy Timers for newborns up to 4 months.
Address: 12600 Yukon Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250
Ages: Walking age through teens
Cost: $319/month for a 60-minute class once a week
The Rise Gym offers preschool gym, gymnastics, ninja and cheer classes in the South Bay.
Parent Tip: Twinkle Stars (walking–3) is parent participation, and Shooting Stars (3–5) is the drop-off step up.
Music Lessons and Kids' Bands
From toddler sing-alongs to kids playing real gigs, LA has a music program for every attention span.
Address: 200 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Ages: Early Childhood 7 months–7 years; youth programs 5–18
Cost: Please check the website; scholarships available
Colburn's community school in Downtown LA offers early childhood music, private lessons, choirs, orchestras, jazz, drama, musical theatre and Suzuki programs.
Parent Tip: Caregivers attend the early-childhood classes with their kids, so plan to sing along.
Where: Multiple sites including Compton, Exposition Park, Hollywood, Leimert Park, Pasadena and Hawthorne
Ages: K–12 (varies by site)
Cost: Tuition-free
Harmony Project gives LA kids tuition-free music education, with orchestras, bands, classes and mentorship, focusing on families from low-income and under-resourced communities.
Parent Tip: Check the website for the site nearest you and how to enroll there.
Address: 12020 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (also Venice, Burbank and Pasadena)
Ages: 4–18
Cost: Please check the website
School of Rock pairs weekly lessons on guitar, bass, drums, keys or vocals with group band rehearsals. Little Wing serves ages 4–5, Rookies 6–7, Rock 101 8–13 and the Performance Program 8–18.
Parent Tip: Performance Program kids play live shows at local LA venues every few months, which does wonders for practice motivation.
Where: In your home, at the teacher's home studio or online, across many LA neighborhoods
Ages: Kids and teens (check the website for details)
Cost: 30-minute lessons $168/month online or at the studio; $220/month in your home; $30 registration fee
LA School of Music offers private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, violin and more, plus after-school classes and a kids' rock band.
Parent Tip: Two recitals a year, in person or online, give kids something to work toward.
Where: In your home (Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Los Feliz, Beverly Hills, Studio City, Miracle Mile, Larchmont and more) or online
Ages: 3 and up (toddler program for ages 3–4)
Cost: Free intro lesson; please check the website for rates
JBM brings private piano, guitar, ukulele and bass lessons to your living room, which saves a lot of after-school driving.
Parent Tip: For students under 18, an adult needs to be home for the whole lesson.
Where: In-home lessons (travel fee beyond 5 miles of 90034) or remote
Ages: All ages
Cost: Four 30-minute in-home lessons $240; eight for $440; four remote lessons $180
Toddle Tunes offers private music lessons at home or remotely, a flexible option for families on the Westside.
Parent Tip: Packages aren't refundable, so start with the four-lesson pack to make sure it's a fit.
Address: 15155 Gale Ave., Suite D, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Ages: Kids and teens; art classes for ages 5–8, 9–12 and 13–17
Cost: Please check the website
Opus offers private and group lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums and violin, a pop band program and art classes.
Parent Tip: Book a trial lesson to match your child with the right teacher.
Art, Ceramics and Sewing Classes
Messy hands, proud faces and fridge-worthy masterpieces: these studios let kids create without the cleanup landing on you.
Address: 4814 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ages: 3–17
Cost: About $9–$56 per class, plus a $10 lab fee for most classes (cash or check)
The City of LA's arts center in historic Barnsdall Park offers youth classes in ceramics, drawing and painting, darkroom photography, media arts, music and theatre, plus some parent/child classes.
Parent Tip: Popular classes fill fast and go to a waitlist, so watch the website for the next registration date.
Address: 2038 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041
Ages: 2 to 10+, depending on the class
Cost: About $225–$490 per session
This Eagle Rock studio is all about process art, ceramics and imaginative themed classes. Kids might even make their own paints and inks from plants and spices.
Parent Tip: A grown-up stays for Process Play (2–4) and Process Art (3–5), while Fairies and Trolls (4–6) is drop-off.
Address: W.M. Keck Education Center, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Ages: 6–8 and 9–12
Schedule: Ages 6–8: Sundays, Nov. 8–22, 2026; ages 9–12: Sundays, Dec. 13–27, 2026
Cost: $210 ($190 for NexGenLA members); supplies and parking validation included
LACMA's three-session drop-off classes teach painting and mixed media inside one of LA's biggest art museums.
Parent Tip: Kids 5 and under aren't admitted, so this one is for school-age artists.
Address: 2127 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ages: 18 months–10 years
Cost: Please check the website
Kids Artistic Sense offers monthly, drop-in and private art classes, holiday camps and at-home kits, with teaching inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori.
Parent Tip: Try a drop-in class before signing up for a monthly program.
Address: Inside Degas Dance Studio, 17247 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA
Ages: Around 7–14
Schedule: Fridays, 4–6 p.m.; fall session runs Sept. 11–Dec. 18, 2026
Cost: $65 per class
Sew Contagious teaches kids to sew in an after-school class, and also hosts birthday parties and Girl Scout workshops.
Parent Tip: Ask about the discount for signing up for multiple classes.
Address: 22731 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Ages: Toddler Art Playgroup 1–5; Open Studio for all ages
Cost: Studio Membership $110/month (4 visits); Family Membership $185/month (8 shared visits)
This Woodland Hills studio offers process art, sensory play and a homeschool art club.
Parent Tip: With more than one kid, the Family Membership's shared visits stretch further.
Dance and Ballet Classes for Kids
Tutus, tap shoes and hip-hop sneakers welcome. Many of these studios start with parent-and-me classes and grow with your dancer.
Address: 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Ages: 1½–18
Cost: Please check the website
Serving Brentwood since 1989, Dance For Kids teaches ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, acro, tumbling and parent & me classes, plus a company.
Parent Tip: Start with parent & me if your dancer is still a toddler.
Address: 3816 Culver Center Dr., Culver City, CA 90232
Ages: Pre-K through teens
Schedule: 2026–27 season runs Aug. 15, 2026–June 11, 2027
Cost: $275 per 10 weeks (one class a week); $28 trial; $19 drop-in; $43 registration
Diaz Studio of Dance offers hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet and pointe, and acro classes grouped by grade.
Parent Tip: Book the $28 trial class before paying the registration fee.
Address: 1709 Stewart St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ages: Parent & Me under 3; Pre-Primary at 3; Primary 4–6; levels through teens
Cost: Please check the website
Founded in 1967, Westside School of Ballet is one of the Westside's best-known ballet schools, with Ballet levels I–VII, teen ballet and jazz.
Parent Tip: There's a boys-only ballet class, too.
Address: 2923 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ages: All ages; Parent & Me ballet/tap for 1½–6
Cost: Please check the website
This studio teaches ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop, plus private piano, voice, guitar and violin lessons.
Parent Tip: Siblings who want different things can do dance and music under one roof.
Address: 1985 E. Locust St., Pasadena, CA 91107
Ages: Creative Movement from age 3; conservatory 8–18
Cost: Please check the website
Pasadena Dance Theatre takes dancers from Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet to its pre-professional conservatory.
Parent Tip: Bounding Boys (ages 5–10, Fridays 4–4:45 p.m.) is a ballet class just for boys.
Acting, Theater and Improv Classes
Got a kid who narrates everything? These studios turn big personalities into confident performers, and the improv skills help in the classroom too.
Address: 8115 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Ages: Tots 3–5 up to Master 12+
Cost: Please check the website; payment plans and tuition awards offered
YADA's kids put on full musical theatre productions, with improv classes and camps on the side. Winter 2027 shows include Les Misérables (ages 6–16) and Winnie the Pooh (ages 3–7).
Parent Tip: Ask about tuition awards if cost is a concern.
Address: 317 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Ages: Kids 7–9 and 10–13; teens and young adults 14–21
Cost: Please check the website
Margie Haber offers ongoing acting classes, 8-week intensives and camps, with kids training on camera.
Parent Tip: Classes cap at 12 students, so book early.
Address: 9503 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Ages: 10 and up
Cost: Please check the website for current sessions and pricing
GEM Talent trains young performers in on-camera acting, vocals, dance and K-pop, with pop star prep intensives and camps.
Parent Tip: Sessions change by season, so check the website for the current schedule.
Address: 1211 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ages: Early Stages 4–6; Play Production 7–11; Teen Lab 11–16
Cost: Please check the website
Running youth programs since 1969, Santa Monica Playhouse has kids write and perform their own original play.
Parent Tip: Shy kids often shine here, since they help create the story they perform.
Address: 2525 Michigan Ave., Unit F4, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ages: Kids, tweens and teens (age groups vary by class)
Cost: Please check the website
This nonprofit comedy theater at Bergamot Station runs kids', tweens' and teens' comedy classes, teen stand-up and a summer camp.
Parent Tip: Confirm your child's age group on the website, since groups vary by class.
Address: 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
Ages: Kids and teens
Schedule: Saturdays: kids' improv at 12 p.m.; teens' improv at 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 per class
LA Connection's Saturday improv classes are one of the best deals in town for budding comedians.
Parent Tip: At $10 a class, it's an easy, low-pressure way to see if improv clicks.
Address: 4554 Cartwright Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91602
Ages: 10–17
Cost: Free consultation; please check the website for rates
Joshua LeBar Studios teaches on-camera audition technique and scene work, and every young actor is on camera in every class.
Parent Tip: Book the free consultation to see if your child is ready for on-camera training.
Address: 3131 Foothill Blvd., Suite H, La Crescenta, CA 91214
Ages: Tiny Tots 2–4; 4–7; 8–11; 12–17
Cost: $745 for 10 classes; Tiny Tots $372; free trial class
3-2-1 offers on-camera commercials and improv, scene study and musical theatre, with optional field trips to the Pantages.
Parent Tip: Use the free trial class before committing to a 10-class package.
Address: 1419 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290
Ages: 4–7, 8–13 and 14–18
Cost: Please check the website; scholarships available
This beloved outdoor theater in Topanga teaches songs and Shakespeare, theatre games and puppetry.
Parent Tip: Ask about scholarships when you enroll.
Swim Lessons and Surf Classes
In a city with this much coastline and this many backyard pools, swim lessons are a must, and LA has options for every budget.
Where: City of Los Angeles pools citywide (26 year-round and 28 seasonal pools)
Ages: Parent & Child 6 months–3; Preschool Aquatics and Tiny Tots 3–6; youth levels 7–17
Cost: Please check the website; scholarships available for families who qualify
SwimLA is the city's swim lesson program, with group, private and semi-private lessons (private and semi-private for ages 3 and up).
Parent Tip: Tiny Tots classes have up to three kids and last 25 minutes, and parents stay out of the water.
Address: 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (also de Toledo High School, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, CA 91307)
Ages: Infants to adults; SwimTots for under 2
Cost: Free trial class; please check the website for rates
Founded by four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg, SwimRight teaches a swim-float-swim method across nine levels.
Parent Tip: Book the free trial class to see the method in action.
Address: Sunset Canyon Recreation Center Family Pool, UCLA campus, Los Angeles
Ages: Private lessons 3–12; parent-and-child classes 18 months–5
Schedule: Fall weekend Session B: Oct. 31–Nov. 22, 2026; parent-child classes return in summer 2027
Cost: Non-UCLA families: $200 for 4 private lessons
UCLA Recreation's youth swim program is open to the public, with private and semi-private lessons year-round and parent-child classes in summer.
Parent Tip: Adding a second child to a semi-private lesson is $60, a good deal for siblings.
Where: Pools in Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills, West LA, Mid-City and North Hollywood
Ages: About 3 months to adults
Cost: $99 per 30 minutes at their pools; $109 at your pool
Founded by the family of Olympian Gary Hall Jr., Hall Swim Academy teaches parent/child, learn-to-swim and technique lessons in pools heated to 86–90°F.
Parent Tip: Several pools are open April–October only, so check which location runs year-round.
Where: Y pools across the LA area
Ages: Parent & Child, Preschool, School-Age and Teen levels
Cost: Please check your local Y
The Y teaches swimming in Stages 1–6, plus competitive skills and a Safety Around Water course.
Parent Tip: Use the Y's Swim Lesson Selector, in English and Spanish, to pick the right stage.
Address: 4175 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230
Ages: Learn-to-swim levels for kids (check the website)
Cost: Please check the website
Culver City's municipal pool offers Learn to Swim levels taught by American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors.
Parent Tip: Missed classes can't be made up, so pick a session that fits your family's schedule.
Address: 2225 16th St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Ages: Youth and adult Learn to Swim classes
Cost: Fees vary by residency; sliding-scale help available at (310) 458-8700
The Swim Center runs youth lessons on weekdays and weekends, plus the Sharks novice swim team for kids ready for more.
Parent Tip: Santa Monica residents get priority registration, so register as soon as it opens.
Where: Lifeguard Tower 18 in Santa Monica, Navy Tower (Santa Monica/Venice) and Manhattan Beach/Dockweiler
Ages: Surf camps for 6–17
Cost: Please check the website
Learn to Surf LA teaches private and group lessons plus seasonal surf camps on LA's best beginner beaches.
Parent Tip: Groups have no more than four students per instructor and are split by skill level.
Where: Your home pool, a community pool or a rental pool
Ages: 6 months and up, plus teens, adults and special needs
Cost: 6 lessons at $90 per 30 minutes; as low as $77 per 30 minutes with 18 lessons
Sunsational sends private instructors to you for one-on-one lessons.
Parent Tip: For ages 3 and up, a learn-to-swim guarantee adds up to four free lessons if milestones aren't met.
Address: 2290 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 (plus Arcadia, Glendora, West Covina, Long Beach and more)
Ages: Parent & Me 3–36 months; semi-private 2½–13; private for all ages
Cost: Please check the website
Waterworks runs 20-minute private and semi-private lessons and Parent & Me classes across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.
Parent Tip: Short 20-minute lessons work well for little ones who get cold or distracted quickly.
Sports and Martial Arts Classes
From $10 city leagues to kung fu, these programs build coordination, teamwork and plenty of good sleep.
Where: City of Los Angeles recreation centers and pools citywide
Ages: Youth programs through age 17 (starting age varies by sport)
Cost: $10 per registration at participating centers and pools; fee waivers for qualifying families
PlayLA offers more than 40 youth sports plus adaptive sports such as para surf, blind soccer and wheelchair basketball and tennis.
Parent Tip: Call (213) 847-0878 to ask about fee waivers for qualifying families.
Where: Participating LA County parks (use the park locator)
Ages: 7–17
Cost: Free
This free, year-round drop-in program includes sports, arts and crafts, STEAM, nature activities, homework help, and coding and eSports labs.
Parent Tip: There's no registration, but it's a non-custodial program, so plan pickup and drop-off.
Address: 6900 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045
Ages: Juniors (check the website)
Cost: Junior group lessons $199 for 4 sessions
Westchester Golf Course offers junior group lessons, PGA Junior League, clinics and summer camps.
Parent Tip: Sign up for next month's lessons at the Pro Shop, (310) 649-9167 ext. 1.
Address: 11512 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ages: Kids 4–6, 7–9 and 10+
Cost: First class free
This West LA school teaches kids' martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and T'ai Chi.
Parent Tip: Use the free first class to see whether your child likes the structure.
STEM, Coding and Chess Classes
For kids who'd rather build a video game than play one, or plan five moves ahead.
Address: 2712 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Ages: 5–14
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 3–7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Please check the website
Kids learn Scratch, JavaScript and Python by building their own video games, explore robotics and move up a belt system at their own pace.
Parent Tip: Seasonal camps are a good way to test it out during school breaks.
Address: St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 11555 National Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 (Sundays, 1:30 p.m.); also Saturday classes in Santa Monica
Ages: Kids, grouped by skill level
Cost: First group lesson free
Clever Fox runs 55-minute group chess lessons, private in-home lessons and youth tournaments, and is a U.S. Chess Federation affiliate.
Parent Tip: Saturday options meet at Gandara Park (9:15 a.m.) and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (11 a.m.) in Santa Monica.
Address: 2411 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403 (also Pasadena and Torrance)
Ages: 7–18
Cost: Free intro session; please check the website for rates
theCoderSchool coaches kids two at a time in Scratch, Python, Roblox, AI and robotics.
Parent Tip: Book the free intro session so the coach can place your child at the right level.
Address: 10101 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 (office); programs in Culver City, Westwood, Mar Vista, Westchester, Hermosa Beach and online
Ages: TK and up
Cost: Please check the website
This nonprofit, founded in 1986, runs after-school programs, language immersion, camps and one-hour online classes like Minecraft, chess and science.
Parent Tip: Check for Thanksgiving and winter break camps, too.
Cooking Classes for Kids
Kids who cook are kids who try new foods. That's reason enough.
Address: Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Unit 2907, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (also Thousand Oaks)
Ages: 2–18 (parent-and-toddler for 2–3; drop-off from 3)
Cost: Please check the website
Little Kitchen Academy teaches Montessori-inspired cooking classes and camps grouped by age.
Parent Tip: Recipes are nut-free, a relief for families with allergies.
Address: 395 Santa Monica Place, 3rd Floor, Ste. 323, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ages: Parent-and-child classes for 6–12; summer camps for 8–16
Cost: Please check the website
In downtown Santa Monica since 2011, Gourmandise offers 2½-hour parent-and-child cooking classes, holiday themes and summer camps.
Parent Tip: Holiday-themed classes make a fun family outing, so book them early.
Tutoring and Online Classes
When the goal is catching up or getting ahead, or when the commute isn't happening.
Address: Centers across LA County, including 8471 Beverly Blvd., Ste. 201, Los Angeles, CA 90048 and 5731 W. Slauson Ave., Ste. 150, Culver City, CA 90230
Ages: School-age kids and teens
Cost: Search your ZIP on the website for local pricing
Sylvan offers tutoring in math, reading and writing, test prep and STEM camps.
Parent Tip: Search by ZIP code to see local offers and the center closest to school.
Where: Online
Ages: 3–18
Cost: Varies by class
Outschool offers live online classes on a huge range of subjects, from art and science to languages and games.
Parent Tip: Great for niche interests your neighborhood doesn't offer in person.
Free and Low-Cost Kids' Classes in LA
Great classes don't have to cost a fortune. These are the best-value picks on our list, plus two free resources worth bookmarking.
Free: Every Body Plays drop-in at LA County parks (No. 52) and Harmony Project's tuition-free music programs (No. 15).
$10 or less: PlayLA youth sports registrations (No. 51) and LA Connection's Saturday kids' and teens' improv (No. 37).
Low-cost city classes: Barnsdall Junior Arts Center (No. 21) and SwimLA (No. 41), which offers scholarships for families who qualify.
Free first classes: The Little Gym, SwimRight Academy, theCoderSchool, 3-2-1 Acting Studios, School of Martial Arts and Clever Fox Chess Club.
Library programs: The LA Public Library's kids' programs include free storytimes and homework help at branches citywide.
County classes: Search LA County Parks' community classes for youth and teen classes at parks across the county.
How to Choose the Right Class for Your Kid
Follow the obsession: If your kid drums on the table, try music. If they climb the furniture, try gymnastics or climbing.
Try before you buy: Look for a free first class, trial lesson or drop-in before paying for a full session.
Think about the drive: A great class across town at 4 p.m. on a weekday can turn into a long trip. Closer is often better.
Know the caregiver rules: Many classes for kids under 3 need a grown-up in the room, and some pools ask parents to stay out of the water.
Ask about make-ups and refunds: Some programs don't allow make-up classes or refunds, so ask before you register.
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Takeaway
The top kids' classes in the LA area run from free drop-in programs at county parks to Olympic-founded swim schools and rock bands that play real venues. Pick one or two that match your kid's age and current obsession, use a free trial when you can, and keep the drive short.
Want more options near you? Browse our Classes & Workshops directory and filter by age, category and neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top kids' classes available in the LA area?
Top picks include LoveBug & Me and The Family Room for babies, Wild Child Gym and The Little Gym for toddlers, Purple Twig and Barnsdall for art, School of Rock for music, Code Ninjas for coding, and SwimLA and PlayLA for affordable city swim and sports programs.
What are the best classes for toddlers in Los Angeles?
For toddlers, try parent-and-child music at LoveBug & Me, PLAY or LadyBug Music, movement classes at Wild Child Gym or Flip 1st Gymnastics, Parent & Me ballet at Westside School of Ballet, and SwimLA's Parent & Child lessons for ages 6 months to 3 years.
Are there free or cheap kids' classes in Los Angeles?
Yes. Every Body Plays at LA County parks is free for ages 7–17, Harmony Project offers tuition-free music, PlayLA sports registrations are $10, and Barnsdall Junior Arts Center classes are low-cost. LA Public Library branches also host free storytimes and homework help.
What age can kids start swim lessons in LA?
Babies can start early. SwimLA's Parent & Child classes begin at 6 months, Hall Swim Academy starts around 3 months, and Waterworks Aquatics offers Parent & Me for 3–36 months. Tiny Tots group lessons through SwimLA serve ages 3 to 6 in groups of up to three.
How do I find kids' classes near me in Los Angeles?
Use the FUN WITH KIDS IN LA Classes & Workshops directory to filter by age, category and neighborhood. You can also search LA County Parks' community classes, check your local City of LA recreation center for PlayLA, and look for free trial classes before enrolling.
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