Kids theatre camps in London for October half term
Do kids need confidence to enjoy theatre camps? With October half term coming up, it's a question the Loopla office has been debating.
Some of us have kids who'd happily sing and dance in front of a group of children they don't know. Others would shy away from the spotlight in unfamiliar settings.
But when it comes to coaxing kids out of their shells, drama might be one of the best activities. It's linked to growing confidence and less shyness, after all. (1)
Are theatre camps something my kid will enjoy?
Theatre camps are just one of many out-of-school adventures we list on Loopla. You'll find sports, music, coding and more on our main kids holiday camps page.
But one special feature theatre camps often involve is the end-of-week show. In our experience, working towards a big performance together is a brilliant way for kids to make new friends.
So, will your kid enjoy a theatre camp? If they like making friends and playing pretend, there's a good chance they will. Below are some theatre camps for kids in London where you can find out for sure this October half term.
Looking for a particular age group, activity or London area? Search kids theatre camps to find the best options near you.
Theatre camps in London you can book right now:
February Half Term Dance Course
We are delighted to offer exciting 3 and 5 day holiday courses which provide an intensive programme of dance and performance skills training, led by our highly experienced teachers. Our courses are open to students of all abilities and aim to provide an enjoyable and friendly environment in which to really boost your level of dance and performance and learn new skills. There is no need to be a member of Dance Shack to join. Get fit, learn routines and make friends, working on your stage skills of dancing, acting and singing. Dance styles include Street, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Students will work towards a performance for friends and family on the last afternoon. You would not believe how much students achieve in just a few days! Our holiday courses are always very popular, so do book early to be sure of a place.
Mon 15 Feb - Wed 17 Feb
10:00 - 16:00
Dance • 6-16 years • From £55.00
KT6, Shrewsbury House School
Easter Dance Course
We are delighted to offer exciting 3 and 5 day holiday courses which provide an intensive programme of dance and performance skills training, led by our highly experienced teachers. Our courses are open to students of all abilities and aim to provide an enjoyable and friendly environment in which to really boost your level of dance and performance and learn new skills. There is no need to be a member of Dance Shack to join. Get fit, learn routines and make friends, working on your stage skills of dancing, acting and singing. Dance styles include Street, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Students will work towards a performance for friends and family on the last afternoon. You would not believe how much students achieve in just a few days! Our holiday courses are always very popular, so do book early to be sure of a place.
Mon 5 Apr - Wed 7 Apr
09:00 - 15:00
Dance • 6-16 years • From £55.00
KT6, Shrewsbury House School
June Half Term Dance Course
We are delighted to offer exciting 3 and 5 day holiday courses which provide an intensive programme of dance and performance skills training, led by our highly experienced teachers. Our courses are open to students of all abilities and aim to provide an enjoyable and friendly environment in which to really boost your level of dance and performance and learn new skills. There is no need to be a member of Dance Shack to join. Get fit, learn routines and make friends, working on your stage skills of dancing, acting and singing. Dance styles include Street, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Students will work towards a performance for friends and family on the last afternoon. You would not believe how much students achieve in just a few days! Our holiday courses are always very popular, so do book early to be sure of a place.
Wed 2 Jun - Fri 4 Jun
09:00 - 15:00
Dance • 6-16 years • From £55.00
KT6, Shrewsbury House School
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Finding the right kids theatre camps near you in London
To browse theatre camps for kids in London, you can use the Loopla search tool to filter by age and location.
The other thing to consider is what the camp involves. Theatre camps usually cover acting, singing and dancing, but not always in equal measure. Loopla listing descriptions should tell you whether a camp features activities your kid will enjoy.
It's also worth checking whether a camp suits beginners, especially if your child has never acted before.
Many of the theatre camps we list strive to create a welcoming space for newcomers. You may well find that more experienced kids add to this, too. In one study, a year of acting classes boosted kids' empathy more than music or art lessons did. (2)
If you're still unsure, ask the organiser how kids are grouped by age and experience. Most will be happy to explain before you book.
References:
- Using drama to support pupils’ transitions from primary to secondary school in Scotland - Education 3-13
- Enhancing Empathy and Theory of Mind - Journal of Cognition and Development
- Social-emotional learning in a week-long theatre camp for youth - Current Issues in Middle Level Education
FAQ: How to find kids theatre camps in London
Are kids theatre camps good for confidence?
Yes, kids theatre camps can be good for confidence, especially for kids who start out shy. In one study of a week-long theatre camp, most kids arrived nervous about fitting in. By the end of the week, all of them talked about getting past those nerves. (3)
Friendships played a big part, too. Once kids felt they'd made friends, they found it easier to throw themselves in.
What age can kids start theatre camp?
Kids can usually start theatre camp from around age 4. Perform's half-term drama courses, for example, welcome kids aged 4 to 10.
A few London holiday camps take children even younger. But for this age, sessions tend to be shorter, and many camps ask that kids are toilet trained.
How much do theatre camps cost in London?
Theatre camps in London usually cost a little more than other holiday camps. Most holiday camps cost £40 to £90 a day, with performing arts camps towards the higher end.
Perform's three-day half-term drama course, for example, costs £299, or around £100 a day. Early drop-off and late collection usually cost extra.
Is 12 too late to start acting?
No, 12 isn't too late to start acting. In one study, teenagers taking a year of acting classes showed bigger gains in empathy than those doing music or art. (2)
How can I find theatre camps for kids in London?
You can find theatre camps for kids in London using Loopla's search tool. Filter by age and location to find camps near you.
Each listing shows the ages, dates and price, plus what the camp involves. For other interests like sports, art, coding and more, browse our main kids holiday camps page.
