21 Top creative children's classes to book in Edinburgh for 2026

From art to music classes, these are the editors' picks of just some of the great, high-quality classes on offer in Edinburgh to enrich your child's experience and to embrace new activities in 2026.

The list below is not exhaustive. We have limited ourselves to just a few establishments known for the quality of their coaching.

DANCE 

Angela Watson School of Dance (Est. 2002) runs Nursery Ballet classes for children aged 3+, and classes in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance (P1+) and Commercial Dance (P5+). These take place in EH10, EH13, EH14 and EH17. Also offer Holiday Camps. Concessions are available for more than 1 class per week.

Waterfront Dance Studios runs ballet classes from 2 years+ and Acro classes from 3 years +. Established over 25 yrs under the leadership of school principal Niki Forbes, their experienced dance instructors offer classical ballet and jazz classes to junior level IDTA exams and Seniors follow the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. All classes are at their Davidsons Mains, dance studio.

Dance Base: Scotland’s National Centre for Dance (Est. 1984) runs a weekly baby and toddler class for children aged 18 months-5 years (Dance n Play). There are also regular Sunday workshops for babies, toddlers and children (Little People! Big People!). There are weekly aerial skills classes for children aged 8-10 and young people aged 11-16, as well as a weekly Move Into Street Dance class for young people aged 12-17. Dance Base is also home to the Lothian Youth Dance Company, for dancers aged 14-21. Based at 14-16 Grassmarket EH1 2JU.

Dance For All (Est. 1985) runs classes for young people aged 3-18 at 106 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge EH3 5AQ. Preschool Ballet (45 mins/week) is available from age 3-4 years+. Other dance genres on offer are Modern, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Flamenco and Acro (7-12 years and 13-18 years). 

Edinburgh Dance Academy (Est.1996) runs classes for young people from 3 years and up at a number of locations across Edinburgh. Dance styles on offer are Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acro and Commercial. There is a “Chance to Dance” scholarship fund. 

Morningside Dance Academy (Est. 1984) holds Nursery Ballet classes (from age 3), classes in RAD Ballet, ISTD Modern and BTDA Tap (from P1) , Jazz, Lyrical Contemporary, PBT, KLT, Commercial/Street Dance and Acro Dance. Exams and performance opportunities. These classes take place in Morningside Drive EH10, and at the Main studio in Grange Road, Dance Studios EH9. 

DRAMA 

Classes at Lyceum Youth Theatre are geared towards young people aged 5-18 and last 1-2 hours per week. Summer workshops include backstage/tech courses are also on offer.

Based at Royal Lyceum Theatre in EH3, the organisation also runs Access Youth Theatre Classes which are tailored specifically for young people with additional needs aged 7-16. Bursary places are available. 

Edinburgh Youth Theatre runs weekly classes for young people aged 5-19 in Portobello and Dalry, as well as Fringe productions, holiday camps and workshops. Taster sessions are available and classes last from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the child’s age. Financial support is available.

Strange Town Theatre Company provides training for young people aged 5-25. Classes in each 8-16 week term run for 1-2 hours and are based in EH3 and EH6. Bursaries and free places are available.

ART 

Not all children are able to access specialist art teaching in school. This is especially true at the primary stage. But any child who enjoys art will be keen to extend their skills outside school. So it’s worth investigating the range of classes and workshops offered by specialist schools and studios.  

Young artists are always hungry for new techniques, ideas and influences. So do speak to your child’s art teacher and/or enquire at local art shops for class info. regarding specific disciplines. Museums and galleries such as Edinburgh Printmakers also host fantastic workshops.

Such opportunities not only help a child develop resilience and concentration skills. They will enable your child to express themselves creatively as an individual, thus contributing to their overall wellbeing. 

The list below is not exhaustive. We have limited ourselves to a few establishments known for the quality of their coaching. This is not to say that there won’t be other professionals and organisations equally capable of inspiring your child.

Leith School of Art (Est. 1988) runs in-depth week-long Easter and Summer courses for keen young artists aged 11-15. Week-long Portfolio Preparation courses run during February and over the Summer and are a fantastic opportunity to build a portfolio. Families in receipt of state benefits are eligible to receive 50% off the course fees. Other courses are only suitable for young people aged 16+ and provide a good opportunity to develop their skills. 

The Edinburgh Drawing School runs classes for children aged 8+ and teens aged 13+. Among the disciplines on offer are Painting, Portrait Drawing and Anime and Cartoon Design. There are also lectures on art history and the history of art materials. These are based at 13a Great King Street EH3 6QW. 

The Art Club in Canonmills runs term time and holiday courses for children and teens aged 6-10, 10-14 and 14+ years. Each set of 10 term time classes takes place either on a weekday evening, or on Saturday morning, and lasts for 1.5 or 2 hours. Themed holiday courses run Monday to Friday. 

At Studio 48 the artist Sally-Ann Johns runs weekly term time classes (1.5 hours) for young people aged 6-10 and 10-14. These are held at 62 Newhaven Rd. EH6 5QB. NB: Subsidised classes are available. 

Louise Campbell-Rogers of artroom32 also runs weekly after-school classes (lasting 1 hour) at 44 Ferry Road EH6 4AE. These are an affordable opportunity for young people aged 8-17 to explore different mediums.

Portobello Art School runs evening workshops for young people aged 6-15 during term time. Sessions run from 3.30-5pm and 6-7.30pm. Young artists are invited to explore their creativity and learn new skills in drawing, printmaking, painting, collage and sculpture classes. Classes take place at 7A - Basement Studio, East Brighton Crescent, Portobello, EH15 1LR. NB: Pick up from local schools can be arranged. 

Submarine Art & Design School runs term time courses for children aged 7-16. Drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, animation, graphic design, sewing/textiles, street and pop art are all on offer. Classes take place at 36 Henderson Row, Edinburgh. 

Doodles Ceramics Clay Workshop clay throwing for children 12+ with an adult. For those who fell in love with the ' The Great Pottery Throw Down', now is your chance to have a go! This is a beginner's class, lead by our in-house potter, Caitlin. The class will last roughly 1.5-2 hours and there will be a maximum of 6 people per booking, plus the throwing instructor.

Music

Orchestra and choir practice are popular in many schools. Children can receive individual music tuition either inside or outside school and join a local youth orchestra or band. Learning to play and appreciate music is deeply rewarding and group music making promotes a sense of belonging. Practice helps develop perseverance and sense of accomplishment. 

Edinburgh Council provides free instrumental and vocal lessons to pupils from P4 to S6. But places may be limited, or offered to children who show keen interest or promise. What’s more, not all instruments will be on offer at every school and individual tuition may not be an option. So many parents organise lessons themselves. Particularly if they wish their child to learn an instrument before P4. 

Pipe bands are a popular after-school activity in Edinburgh. Children who take up the pipes will, initially, be taught to play the chanter. Drummers learn on pads and are introduced to various styles of drums as they get older. Schools and local bands usually provide lots of opportunities to perform and enter piping and drumming competitions. Pipers and drummers are also part of a school’s CCF (Combined Cadet Force) if they have one. The most able teenage pipers will also be able to earn money by playing at weddings and other events. 

Edinburgh Young Musicians (EYM) provides group tuition ranging from pre-school musical play to orchestras and choirs, incorporating beginners' instrumental classes, chamber music and musicianship.

Aimed at ages 3-18, EYM takes place between 9.30am and 1.30pm on Saturdays during term time. Ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour, classes take place at George Watson’s College. Bursaries are available. 

Portobello Music School offers group and individual tuition on Saturdays. Sessions are available from birth to S6 at CRE:8 Edinburgh College EH15 2PP. Funding should become available in the future, so do enquire if applying from 2025. 

St Mary’s Music School  runs Saturday music classes for children aged 4-12. Children in their final preschool year can attend Kodály classes. From P1 instrumental tuition is offered in groups. For children aged 7+ Choir and Theory classes are offered alongside individual instrumental and vocal tuition. The school is located at 25 Grosvenor Crescent EH12 5EL. Financial assistance is available. 

Forth School of Music delivers group and individual music lessons to children aged 3+. Classes in Music Theory are also available. All classes take place at 210 Newhaven Road.  

Everybody deserves extracurricular enrichment, regardless of their family’s financial status. So please look carefully at the individual listings for info. regarding concessions and bursaries. We would also recommend contacting the class organisers for updates regarding fees and financial assistance.