10 Kids Improv and Comedy Classes in NYC

For the child who always makes you laugh, take a look at our list of kids improv and comedy classes in NYC to help them hone their skills and gain new ones they can keep for life. 

Improv is short from improvisation and knowing how to improvise is very important not only for children but for adults as well. Improv is a performance act, and it can be thought of as a type of theater where the actor will come up with a scene or a game from suggestions taken by the audience. Some people are born with this talent to think of a joke or to make up a story right on the spot, but for other people, thinking of something right on the spot seems like the worst nightmare. But, if you or your child belong to the second category of people, don’t worry because improv is something you can learn. There are 6 best improv classes for beginners in NYC where you can find out how to reveal that creative side of you. The Big Apple never sleeps and you can even find under 18 comedy clubs in NYC. 

Knowing how to improvise is very important for children when they are still young because it has so many benefits for them in their adult life. Improv could help kids to change their vocabulary as well as their behavior. It can also free their mind, build up their public speaking skills, foster collaboration in groups, and it can make them better listeners and more open to new directions. These are just a few benefits, of the many, improv has for the youngest ones.

Many shy kids will naturally isolate themselves because they think if they say something they will embarrass themselves and improv will help them to grow out of these habits. In addition to this, we should also mention how comedy could impact children’s lives. Encouraging your child’s sense of humor will help him/her to see things from other perspectives not only from the obvious one. Things like improv games for beginners will also teach them how to be spontaneous, to see beyond the surface on things, to enjoy as well as participate in the playful aspects of life and not to take themselves too seriously. If you combine improv with comedy and teach all of these things to your child, he will live a positive and happy life, that’s for sure.

While creating our list, we used the Class Curious database as our source as it has all things New York City. We also used a quick Google search to find more programs for kids. After we collected the data from our sources, it was left to sort our list, but, since there isn’t a particular way to sort it, we left it to you to check all of them and see which class is perfect for your kid to attend. Different programs have different focuses, age groups, prices, and schedules. Either way, you won’t regret it because it will change your child’s life in a way you never imagined.

Now let’s get down to our list of 10 kids improv and comedy classes in NYC and start the countdown.

10. Kids ‘N Comedy

Location: 208 W 23rd St

Patience is the key to every success, and if you want your child to become successful in improv, you should seriously consider signing him/her up for the Kids ‘N Comedy class. This class is dedicated to teaching the youngest minds how to write and perform stand-up comedy in a friendly and encouraging environment full with strange minds and big laughs. Your kid will thank you later for signing them up for this class because even though you cannot see all the benefits of it now, you will see them reflected in their personality, character and decision making shortly.

9. Introduction to Comedy & Improvisation for Kids

Location: 33 Washington St, Brooklyn

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t know how to improvise, because this class, Introduction to Comedy & Improvisation for Kids is designed for those who don’t have knowledge of it. Along with Andrea Negrete, your child will explore the techniques of improvisation used by comedians and actors, and he/she will develop skills and creative ideas. Children from the age of 9 to 12 are welcome to develop their comedic chops and boost their self-confidence in an encouraging environment for approximately ten kids.

8. 4-Evenings On-Camera Improv & TV Comedy with Denise

Location: 630 9th Ave Ste 1410

The duration of this class is four days and children and teens from the age of 7 to 17 are welcome to sign up for it. In four days you will train your improv as well as comedy skills. During comedy, you will perform scripted material from TV Sitcoms while for improv you will perform original comedic sketches while using improvisation and character creation. All of the performances will be filmed, and later you will receive a footage of the Showcase. Denise Simon will be the teacher, so all you have to do is sign up and prepare yourself for laughing.

7. Comedy for Tweens

Location: 318 West 53rd St

If you are between 10 and 12 years old and you want to improve your improv and comedy skills, you are welcome to sign up for the youth program of Comedy for Tweens class. Every week you will have a 60 to 75 minute warm up, as well as technique and performance games. You will be encouraged to share a made up story, and you will learn how to combine creative thinking, performance skills, public speaking and creative writing. With signing up for this class, you will significantly improve your future, and even though you won’t be aware of this at the moment, you will see in the near future.

6. Intro to Improv For Kids

Location: 27-16 23rd Ave, Astoria

Melissa Gordon is teaching an average class size of 25 children from the ages of 7 to 12 years. If you are in this age range, you are welcome to sign up and start exploring the improv world. You don’t need to know how to improvise because this class is designed for beginners. Here, you will learn how to work together as a group, and you will get the chance to create original scenes through high energy games and fun experiences. You will remember this experience as long as you breathe and your adult-self will thank you for signing up, that’s for sure.

5. Comedy / Improv 4 Kids

Location: 318 West 53rd St

One of the best kids improv and comedy classes in NYC is the Comedy/Improv 4 Kids class. By combining the stand-up comedy training and improv, you will discover a whole new world, and you will master your skills like writing, critical thinking, listening, focus, respect for your co-workers, friends, and family, leadership skills like public speaking and self-confidence. These are just a few things you will learn and get from this class so if you are at the age of eight to twelve years old, make sure you sign up for the class as soon as possible because the average class size consists of ten kids.

4. Summer TV Tots

Location: 500 8th Ave 4th Floor

Unlike some of the previously listed classes, the Summer TV Tots is dedicated for the youngest minds at the age of four to six years. If your child matches the age range, you can sign him/her for this class and boost its confidence with acting choices. Even at the youngest age, they will get the chance to test their creativity. If you don’t want to leave your kid alone, you can stay with him/her during the class and maybe you can learn something useful too. It is fun, creative and encouraging, so there is nothing to lose.

3. Improv Comedy Summer Camp for Kids

Location: 27-16 23rd Ave, Astoria

The average class size in the Improv Comedy Summer Camp For Kids consists of 25 children at the age of 8 to 17 years. It doesn’t matter if you are funny or you want to be funny, children with all levels of knowledge, skills, and experience are welcome in this summer camp. This is a five-day camp where you will learn all kinds of different things, but most importantly, you will learn the basics of improv.

2. Comedy Camp 4 Kids & Teens

Location: 318 West 53rd St

This camp is for every kid from the age of 7 to 17 years regardless of their knowledge and improv and comedy skills. There are morning and afternoon classes with pauses for lunch between them and a snack break. After snack time, every child will get the chance to practice stand-up comedy and play different games until they get picked up. If you find this class to be interesting and you are between 7 and 17 years old, make sure you sign up for it as soon as possible because the average class size consists of 10 kids.

1. Chicago City Limits

Location: 46 West 96 St. 4W

The Chicago Limits Improv first came to New York City back in 1980 and ever since then it has been delighting the New York City audience. This class is dedicated to children who love and want to explore the world of improv and are interested in exploring their limitless abilities as a performer. If you want to be spontaneous but confident at the same time when you speak, this might be the perfect class for you. If you are at the age of 12 to 17, you can sign up for this class now and dive into the improv world. 

With the Chicago City Limits class, we are finishing our list of 10 kids improv and comedy classes in NYC.