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The 8 Best Animation Classes for 10-Year-Olds

by | Last updated Aug 22, 2024

Have you ever wondered what the top animation classes for 10-year-olds are? Then this article is for you. 

Today, we’re going to explore the 8 best animation classes for your child. 

Ready to jump in? Let’s go!

What is the minimum age to learn animation?

A common question you might be asking is whether your 10-year-old can learn animation. 

The short answer: Yes they can! 

Animation is for everyone, no matter their age. 

The right animation class for your child will depend on their abilities, interests, and attention span. 

If they already have basic reading, math, and computer skills, they’ll be able to take a more advanced class. But if they’re not very familiar with these subjects, there are animation classes that can work for them. 

Now that high-quality online courses are available all over the world, you’ll be able to find a course that fits your child’s needs, even if there are no local programs available to you. 

And to help you choose, we’re going to break down 8 of the best animation classes for 10-year-olds.

Top 8 animation classes for 10-year-olds

In this section, we’ll explore the best animation programs for 10-year-olds – including in-person classes, online programs, and high-quality courses for any budget. 

Let’s get started.

1. Animation for Kids – Academy of Animated Art 

The Animation for Kids course, developed by the Academy of Animated Art, is an online program that teaches children the art of animation through engaging, hands-on projects

I developed this program to give kids the opportunity to learn about art and animation. 

Growing up, I was often told that art wasn’t a good career path. So, instead of following my passion, I got a degree in economics.

But when I eventually decided to commit to animation, it changed my life

Because of that experience, I wanted to show people that their dreams of working in animation are attainable. That’s why I co-founded the Academy of Animated Art and developed the Animation for Kids course.

This program offers 13 video lessons with engaging exercises for your child to follow. But that’s not all… 

To help students follow along with the hands-on video lessons, each child will receive a home animation kit with everything they need to complete the course. 

With this kit, students won’t just see projects being made on a screen – they’ll also be able to follow along in real time.

Throughout the program, students will learn:

  • Animation techniques
  • How to create flipbooks and storyboards
  • Storytelling
  • Character design
  • Stop-motion techniques
  • Lighting
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Creative thinking
  • And much, much more

By offering a combination of STEM and art in a convenient online program, this course allows kids to learn while having fun. 

And the best part? After completing the program, students will have a final project that they can use to showcase everything they’ve learned from the classes. 

2. Pixar in a Box – Pixar & Khan Academy

Pixar in a Box is an online course developed by Pixar Studios and Khan Academy. It’s a free resource that’s offered in a self-paced format, meaning your child can fit it around their schedule. 

What sets this program apart? Your child will get to learn from Pixar animators.

That’s right! The course is partly taught by artists working at Pixar – the studio behind some of the most beloved animated films ever, including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Cars. 

If your child loves those movies, they’ll probably get excited about this course.

Pixar in a Box is designed for learners of all ages and provides a unique opportunity to explore the production techniques behind popular Pixar movies. 

Put simply: it’s a fun and engaging learning experience for children who want to learn more about animation.

3. Digital Art and Animation Studio with Adobe   

With this course by Adobe, kids learn about animation from one of the biggest creative software companies in the industry. 

Classes are designed for beginners aged 10 to 12 and are held on university campuses nationwide. Here’s a list of the locations for this program so you can find one near you. 

The curriculum covers visual storytelling, storyboarding, and portfolio development, helping students showcase their newly acquired digital skills. 

Plus, students will learn how to use cutting-edge Adobe tools like Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Adobe Animate. 

The course is one week long with 8 hours of instruction per day, and prices start at $1,149.

4. The Walt Disney Family Museum Animation Academy

The Walt Disney Family Museum Animation Academy offers an animation program for young people from grades 3 to 12. 

The Museum’s mission? To provide support and resources so that students can develop their artistic skills. 

Courses last seven to ten days, six hours per day, and cost between $800 and $1,000. 

One of the benefits of the program is that you don’t need to be on-site in San Francisco to participate. As well as in-person classes, the Museum offers online courses so that children can join from anywhere

The program also offers a range of classes, including The Story Quest, Digital Puppet Animation, and Unconventional Material Animation.

5. The 3D Animation Camp for Kids – New York Film Academy 

The New York Film Academy (NYFA) offers both in-person and online animation courses for children aged 10 to 13. 

Courses are based on Disney’s 12 principles of animation and teach students how to use professional software like Maya. 

The in-person classes are available in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Harvard University. 

Plus, there are international locations in Italy, Australia, and France – which would be perfect for a child who loves to travel and is interested in animation.

The in-person animation workshops span 12 weekends and cost $1,735. If you’re looking for something more flexible, the online programs last 2-weeks and cost $1,525.  

6. Skillshare  

Skillshare probably isn’t the first platform that comes to mind when considering animation classes for 10-year-olds – but you shouldn’t overlook it. 

They may not offer many child-specific classes, but their beginner courses might be perfect for your child.

For instance, this Learn to Animate class is open to complete beginners, making it a great choice for kids with no experience. Using Adobe Animate software, the course covers essential animation techniques like timing, spacing, and squash and stretch.

Another plus? Since Skillshare works with a subscription, the $32 monthly fee will give you access to much more than one animation class. In fact, you’ll be able to learn from thousands of other courses at no extra cost.

Ultimately, while Skillshare’s animation courses may not be specifically made for 10-year-olds, the beginner-friendly classes and inexpensive pricing mean it’s still a good place to look for animation programs for your child.

7. Online Animation Classes for Kids – Outschool 

Outschool offers a range of affordable, online animation classes for 10-year-olds that might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

On their website, you can filter classes by student age, class size, date, and price – with most sessions lasting around 50 minutes and costing between $10-$20. 

Plus, Outschool courses are set up in a flexible online format, allowing you to find a class that fits your child’s schedule.

8. Animation Camp (Online) – CodeCamp

This online animation camp by CodeCamp is a flexible, easy way to get your child started with animation. 

The classes are aimed at kids aged 8 to 12 and focus on stop-motion animation using Legos and clay. The online animation camp spans five days, with two hours of activities a day, and costs $129. 

A cool feature? If your child ever needs guidance or has a question about the course, there is a live chat available to offer them support.

The classes are also well-reviewed, earning 4.9 stars, and they provide a unique, hands-on opportunity for young creators to develop their animation skills. 

Overall, this program is a great option if you’re looking for an online course that teaches art, technology, and storytelling while also providing real-time support for students.

Next steps

So there you go! Now you know all about the top animation classes for 10-year-olds. 

We’ve explored many different options, including free programs and in-person courses. 

Now it’s over to you. What animation class are you going to choose for your 10-year-old?

Jasmine Katatikarn Headshot

About Jasmine Katatikarn

Jasmine Katatikarn is the founder of Academy of Animated Art. She has 20+ years of experience in Feature Animation and VFX. Jasmine’s lighting credits include movies like Ice Age, Ferdinand, Peanuts, and Rio. Read more here.

Jasmine Katatikarn Headshot

About Jasmine Katatikarn

Jasmine Katatikarn is the founder of Academy of Animated Art. She has 20+ years of experience in Feature Animation and VFX. Jasmine’s lighting credits include movies like Ice Age, Ferdinand, Peanuts, and Rio. Read more here.

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