After-School Classes in Basel
- Meaghan Renner Ofori
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
The kids are back at school and the next thought on parents minds is after-school activities. This article offers a diverse sampling of some of the different classes available in Basel in areas such as art, coding, dance, fencing, football, skateboarding and more!
Arts & Crafts
(Wallstrasse 14, 4051 Basel)
Paint it Easy offers children's painting and craft classes (in German and English) every weekday with their Wild at Art program. Classes are organized by age group ('Little Brushes' ages 7-11 and 'Teen Spirit' ages 12-17). There is art instruction in numerous mediums and snacks are included for younger students. Drop in classes are available in packs of 7, 14 and 28 (the more you buy the cheaper they are) and they also have various subscription models. A free trial is also available and you can book everything online.
(Göschenenstrasse 13, 4054 Basel, Gitterlistrasses 5 Liestal, 4410)
Craft Room Red Fox has numerous drawing and painting classes for kids 4 and up. Participants explore various techniques, including sketching, shading, and perspective. Guided by experienced instructors, children develop their unique style while gaining confidence in their abilities. They also have more advanced classes for older children and teenagers including a Manga course which dives into the fascinating world of Japanese graphics. Additionally they offer ceramics courses (for children 6 and up) to learn techniques such as hand-building and wheel-throwing. Free trials are available.
Boxing
(Kasernenhof 2, 4058 Basel)
Boxclub Basel offers kids lessons (in German and English) grouped by age (ages 6-10, 10-13 and 13-16). They emphasize the joy of movement and children develop their motor skills and endurance in this varied full-body workout which promotes endurance and strength, but also trains speed, coordination and agility. For CHF 20 your child can try three lessons to see if they like it, after that the price is yearly. Trial sessions can be booked online.
Circus
(Dornacherstrasse 192, 4053 Basel)
Zircus Schule Basel offers various circus and clown courses in German for children starting as young as 3 years. Students learn elements of acrobatics such as ball running, tightrope walking, unicycle, juggling, etc. They also offer floor and arial acrobatics. Courses are charged on a semester basis and free trials are available.
Dance
(Aeschenvorstadt 52, Basel 4051)
The Braswell Arts Centre offers a range of classes in English and German in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. They also have kids yoga and gymnastics. Classes are divided by age and style of dance and they have some great options for teens including a TikTok dance class! Classes are paid by a 20-class membership and make-up classes are available if you have to miss one.
Reconnecting Circles (Elsässerstrasse 215a, 4056 Basel)
Reconnecting Circles offers breakdance classes for kids ages 7-15. Kids learn the 'basics' of breaking and then develop their moves further while learning about the the diversity of the breaking culture. Lessons are available on a drop-in basis, in packs of 10 or by half-year subscription. Trial lessons are also available.
Special Elements (Leimgrubenweg 9, 4053 Basel)
Special Elements has locations in Basel, Riehen and Arlesheim. They offer Hip Hop classes for ages 5-16 (classes separated by age). Trial lessons do not require registration, you can just show up. After that you can pay for classes individually or by half or full year membership (depending on the number of classes each week).
Flamenco Tanzschule La Tina (Burgweg 15, 4058 Basel)
Flamenco Tanzschule La Tina has existed in Basel since 1986. They offer children's classes in German with a focus is on dancing in harmony with careful movement training. Classes are charged quarterly.
Fencing
(Theaterstrasse 12, 4051 Basel)
Basel Fechtclub offers a 10-part introductory course for children in German separated by age (under 10 and over 10). For this course you only need sport clothing and you can use the equipment provided. After that you have to join the club and purchase your own equipment.
Football (Soccer)
(Various locations)
Intersoccer has after-school and weekend classes for kids from ages 3-12. Courses are coached mainly in English but are also available in German and French. Kids are taught ball control and teamwork and have small sided matches each week.
(Various locations)
Bartlome Soccer academy has multi-lingual programs for kids aged 4-15 which teach ball control, passing accuracy, dribbling technique and shooting precision through a series of engaging drills, exercises, and small-sided games. You can opt for the whole program or a 5-time drop in pass. Free trials are also available.
Gymnastics & Ariel
(Rappoltshof 10, 4057 Basel)
Austober offers classes (in German) in floor and arial gymnastics as well as street dance and breakdance for kids ages 3 and up. Classes are charged on a semester basis but you can start at any time.
Ice Skating
(various locations)
Eislaufschule Basel offers beginner and hobby courses for kids in German from ages 4-13 as well as teenagers. They also have courses in ice dancing for more experienced skaters. Courses take place at Arena St. Jakob and Kunsteisbahn Margarethen and tend to book up quickly.
Martial Arts
Akido
(Horburgstrasse 22, 4057 Basel)
Akikai Basel offers specially adapted Akido classes for children in German and English. Special attention is given to the steps and the correct way to fall as well as breathing and concentration. The children are made familiar with the dojo rules and learn to behave with respect towards themselves and others. Classes are charged by semester.
Judo
(Hirschgässlein 21, 4051 Basel)
Judo Club Basel offers classes in German for kids ages 6-13. Children learn judo principles and techniques (throws, falling techniques, holds and releases) but also coordination and body awareness and values such as respect, responsibility and courage. A trial lesson is available and then lessons are charged on a half-year basis.
(Lukas Legrand-Strasse 4, 4058 Basel)
Budokan Basel offers classes for children ages 4-14 in German separated into beginner and intermediate classes. Through play, the children learn to deal with their whole body, respect for others and appreciate the community. A free trial is available and then classes are charged either on a half-year or full-year basis.
Karate
(Klingelbergstrasse 11, 4056 Basel)
Miyabi Dojo Karate School has Karate classes for kids in German and English for kids ages 3-14. Classes are divided by age group and they also offer workshops and belt examinations. They have a free trial and then classes are charged on the number attended per week on a quarterly or yearly basis.
Skateboarding
(Various locations)
Skateboard School Basel offers casual lessons for children in German on Saturdays at different locations around town. Lessons are suitable for beginners with emphasis on reducing the risk of injury and having fun. To sign up simply register your child's name and age and then you will receive the information about the course location and time by email or WhatsApp. By registering you do not commit to any lessons and lessons are paid in cash at the location.
Swimming
(Various locations)
Swimschule Beider Basel offers lessons for children in German from ages 4 and up for all levels of swimming. Classes are organized based on swimming ability using the swim badge system. Lessons are charged by semester.
STEAM Coding & Robotics
(Elsässerstrasse 215, 4056 Basel)
TechLabs has several courses in English in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), robotics and coding that they offer throughout the week (and on weekends) to children aged 6-16. They have a variety of courses where kids can learn digital programming, robotic design and engineering and events to show off their skills.
Theatre
(Holeestrasse 87, Basel 4054, Alte Rumfabrik Güterstrasse 145, 4053 Basel)
Simply Theatre's Basel locations offer weekly (and weekend) drama courses for children ages 4-18. Courses are in English and sorted by age. Students learn acting, singing and dancing as well as other elements of performance. They also have a 3-time trial course so you can try before you commit. A 20% discount for siblings is also available.
(Leimgrubenweg 9b, 4053 Basel)
Page to Stage is a new theatre Verein in Basel that aims to make the arts more accessible to young creatives. They offer workshops and courses such as ballet, choir and jazz for children and teens. They also have two major productions in the upcoming year. The first is Legally Blonde the Musical, performed by their junior cast (ages 13-17), which runs in May 2026 (rehearsals for this production start in September 2025) and Come From Away performed by their pre-professional troupe (17+) which runs in March 2026 (auditions in August 2025).
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