This is a round-up of online classes. We appreciate the breadth of excellent enrichment classes that kids can do at home from virtual ballet and digital coding club to online baby sing-alongs and group art lessons. There is a little something for children of all ages.
You might also be interested in in-person classes, distance learning supervision, or pandemic pods.
The listings below are sponsored. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, and we hope you’ll consider them when you’re planning education, enrichment, and playtime.
Find the Best Online Classes for Kids
Options include 1-on-1 Online Private Lessons, where students can dive into coding, game design, Minecraft, Roblox, and more on their schedule from a live instructor (a sibling or friend can join for free!). Students can also work towards tech mastery with 12-Week Semesters where they'll meet online once per week with a small group of students.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
The joyful, musical, magical teachers of East Bay Music Together and Canta y Baila Conmigo will lead activities for you and your whole family to sing, play, and jam along to via weekly interactive Zoom classes and livestream events. Classes are appropriate for children under 5, but the whole family is encouraged to participate.
Grades: Crawler, Age 1+, ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K
TechKnowHow offers online LEGO Design & Engineering, Minecraft, Roblox and Coding classes for students, ages 5-17. Most classes meet for 1-hr a week, at 3:30 pm. Presidents Week Camps (Feb 15-19) and Spring Break Camps are also available, as well as online Minecraft birthday parties.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th
BBT's Youth Division training provides young dancers the opportunity to study classical ballet in a professional atmosphere supportive of each student's unique talents; propels them into a professional dance career; and encourages a lifelong connection to ballet. The nurturing environment continues this year via Zoom classes.
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd
Kids Go Mandarin offers Mandarin learning for young children through music. The program incorporates Orff Schulwerk and Kodály methods with exclusively designed multi-sensory creative teaching for kids. Children learn Mandarin through the music through visual, aural, and kinesthetic learning.
Grades: Crawler, Age 1+, ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K
Use code KGM510 (Expiration date: 9/15/2020)
Music Together Online is the Early Start Music interactive music program via ZOOM for kids and families. Families get two classes per week with weekly extra bonus pre-recorded videos to watch online anytime. Classes integrate art, music and movement.
Grades: Newborn, Crawler, Age 1+, ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+)
The Junior Center is a small community non-profit organization offering hands-on, interactive experiences to learners of all ages. Online classes cultivate curiosity and creative exploration with virtual programs through zoom in art, film making, digital photo and game design. Classes are 60 minutes.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Mycelium Youth Network is offering fun interactive online STEAM based classes for youth that are grounded in environmental justice. Small classes (no bigger than 15) will meet over Zoom once a week for an hour over 10 weeks. Look for topics like Dungeons and Dragons and Gardening Our Roots.
Grades: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th
Join expert educators online for up to 8 weeks' worth of hands-on activities and engaging science learning. Required materials will be sent to you directly, so all participants need to bring is their curiosity.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Brooklyn Robot Foundry offers super fun & creative online robot-building classes! Each week students build a new robot, while learning about engineering concepts and components. Classes are led by amazing instructors, with a very low student-to-teacher ratio.
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Private music lessons for ages 4 through adult. Learn cello, drums, flute, guitar, harp, piano, violin, voice taught by experienced music professionals. Currently offered online, students have appreciated maintaining their musical studies during the pandemic. Start anytime.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Richmond Art Center's online art classes feature accessible materials and media for at-home creativity. Drawing, mixed media, sculpture, origami plus more. Sign up for individual classes or series that are active and engaging for young aspiring artists. Scholarships available. Ages 5+
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
All classes are taught on zoom. Classes meet from 1.5-2 hours on Saturdays or after school. There are comics classes, creativity classes, and portfolio classes available.
Grades: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
KidzToPros Live Online After-School Programs and Coding Bootcamps provide a great opportunity for kids to gain valuable skills, meet new friends and have fun, while staying safe and healthy. From Art Skills, LEGO Masters and Hip-Hop to Roblox, Minecraft, Web Design, Python, Java and more, KidzToPros classes will help ignite your child’s passions and creativity!
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Use code 510-25 to save $25 off all After-school programs; Use code 510-50 to save $50 off all Coding Bootcamps
A unique hybrid choral and musical theater program. Class can be online (once per week Tuesday), in person (Thursdays in Berkeley), or both.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
5% - until December 31st
Working with a child’s natural rhythm and energy, Yama Kids Yoga introduces kids to the three principles of yoga - movement, breathing and meditation. As children grow, classes adapt to their changing bodies and minds.
Grades: ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
In order to provide students with the best possible educational experience in an online format, Berkeley Playhouse offers after-school classes twice per week. These intensive classes will allow students to build skills in acting, singing, dance, and storytelling, while also providing a space to build community and make friends. Classes will culminate with a Keepsake Video to be watched together at the end of the session.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Oakland Youth Chorus offers online music and chorus classes through Zoom with both pre-recorded video and virtual choir performances to students TK-12. TK-1 classes explore creative music making, while choirs for grades 3 and up focus on building musicianship, theory, technique, and songwriting through a multicultural repertoire.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Save 10% on tuition with code 510OYCfam through September 2020
Brushstrokes Studio is a small Berkeley team committed to providing kids (ages 6-14+) with engaging hands-on art making classes. Class offerings range from cartooning and watercolor to clay sculpting. Instructors keep things fun while encouraging students to challenge themselves and grow artistically.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th
Beat the distance learning doldrums with a fun instructor-led Galileo Anywhere online class. Choose from a range of amazing hands-on options to create a joy-filled, creativity-infused adventure for your Pre-K through 8th grade kid!
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Wits’ End Parenting is partnering with Classroom Matters to help your child engage with & really learn from their schoolwork while freeing parents from the role of the drill sergeant (even for the most strong-willed child!). The program includes parent support, kids support, and lots of tools you can use for your future good habits.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Brick Tech teaches children STEM concepts using the LEGO® materials you have at home. Participants build live with an instructor for 45 minutes on ZOOM and do not need special pieces. Come build and discover!
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir Virtual World provides individual instruction, tutti rehearsals, exploration into musicianship, and community for young singers. Fall Registration Open for virtual classes beginning Aug. 24.
Grades: preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
The Academy at Oakland Ballet Company offers classical ballet training for students ages 5 and up. Classes focus on developing students’ technique, exploring artistic expression through dance, and building self-confidence in a fun and nurturing class environment.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center offers online classes built for dancing with distance while connecting with community. Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Creative Movement classes are taught through Zoom by teaching artists with experience facilitating creative, rigorous and fun online classes. Teen dancers also have the opportunity to choreograph and perform as part of 3 performance groups.
Grades: Age 1+, ages 2+, ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Little Opera will be pioneering the world of virtual opera in this after-school program where K-8 students WRITE, COMPOSE, ACT, SING, DESIGN, & PERFORM their very own 3 act mini-operas.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Save $30 off tuition if you register for all 3 sessions by September 7th.
Seele Stars, an award-winning, local children’s musical theater company, has been successfully leading online performing arts programs since March 2020. Led by a credentialed teacher, we have two fall productions as well as skill-specific classes for acting or singing only.
Grades: ages 3+, preschool (ages 4+), K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Cook along with the chef from home for an after-school cooking class designed for teens. Students will cook dinner step by step in class to share with family. The chef covers techniques, tips, and questions throughout the class.
Grades: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Strengths-based literacy programs led by experts and infused with nature. Words in the Wild's approach to reading — grounded in research and infused with joy — builds literacy skills AND confidence. Join a small group WordLab or 1:1 tutoring.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Use Code: 510SAVE to save $50 off tuition, expires May 2021
Musically Minded Academy is offering online music instruction in small groups as well as private lessons with virtual performance. A dynamic and experienced staff offering: piano, voice, flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin and trumpet. What a great time this is to make music a part of your everyday life.
Grades: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
We know you love to see your children smiling, laughing, clapping, creating, learning and kicking their way through an enriching class. Share your faves in the comments!