Top Creative writing classes for 2025/2026

Find creative writing classes near you

Kids build their storytelling, poetry writing, and literary skills at classes across the country. Find your city in the list below and find classes near you:

Search creative writing programs in ANY CITY   

You might also like the following camps

OurKids.net list over 200 different activities taught in camps and after-school programs. Here's a look at some camps that we think you'd also enjoy.:

Creative writing camps offer kids an immersion in this art form. You can find both day and overnight camps on our website.

Writing camps offer kids a fun-filled, freeform setting where they can indulge in their passion for a week at a time (or longer) and meet and collaborate with other aspiring writers.

Journalism camp focuses on this exciting career option that combines creativity with curiosity and a passion for knowledge. Kids explore techniques and learn about research and investigative reporting. It’s ideal training ground for aspiring writers of all kinds.

Drama camps include some writing, but they’re also a forum for kids with a creative bent. Drama camp kids see a different side of storytelling when they work from others’ scripts, enacting scenes and exploring various emotions. They also learn more about their own feelings.  Drama and creative writing are obviously parallel.  

Arts camp opens up a world of expression for creative-minded kids. Camps in this category focus on everything from acting to songwriting and all points in between. 

What do kids learn in a creative writing class? 

Here’s a look at what kids will learn in a creative writing class. Classes focus on storytelling skills like the following.: 

Setting and description. Students will learn how to create a tone and to describe a setting, with an eye toward making the story’s atmosphere come alive for readers.  

Characterization. Storytelling classes teach young writers how to create characters, develop unique traits for each, and make them unique and memorable. They introduce the notion of a character arc and teach students how to develop that. 

Dialogue. Realistic dialogue is an integral part of any great story. Classes encourage students to develop their ear for conversation and give each character a distinct voice and intonation. 

Applying figurative language. A creative writing class will help kids learn to develop—and also control—their use of descriptive language. 

Rising action, conflict, climax and resolution. Classes teach students how to create stories’ conflict and to carefully and artfully build toward a climax that will be resolved satisfactorily. 

Planning and editing. Classes in creative writing teach kids to plan narratives, to know where the story is going and how to artfully get to the end.

The writing craft is, of course, not something you can learn overnight or even in a week. Camps and classes, though, will propel students forward in their development. They offer end products such as a printed copy of students’ work. This creates a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Note that each class above will have different emphases, so check listings closely to find out how course curricula matches with your expectations. 

Benefits of a writing class

Beyond the practical curriculum of the class, there are many other benefits students gain. Here’s a look.: 

Social growth. The program setting naturalizes interaction with other kids. Students share a love of creative writing. They critique each other's work constructively under the guidance of a teacher. Kids learn to test their resilience and grow in creativity, as well as other characteristics. 

Develop writing skills beyond creative writing. Classes will help kids improve punctuation and grammar skills, usage, diction, etc., as students all learn together. They develop skills that will make them better academic writers and learners. 

Increased self confidence. In the freeform setting of a class, kids feel more license to express themselves—not only through their writing but in orally presenting things they’ve written. These classes tend to make learning fun, and kids feel more open. They discover things about both themselves and others that they wouldn’t elsewhere. 

Builds a writing portfolio. Classes also contribute to kids’ and teens’ portfolio, helpful for those who aspire to make a career out of writing. While not everyone becomes a J.K. Rowling, there are many well-paying, very satisfying jobs in professional writing. Projects and writing here will be applicable. 

How to find the right class for your child

When reviewing options above, make sure to question teachers and class providers, to ensure that you know what you’re going to gain from the course. 

Ask about instructors’ credentials. How much experience do they have writing and what have they written? How much experience in teaching? How much experience do they have with children in the targeted age group. 

Ask about homework. Are there assignments out of class? What are takeaways from class?

Ask about prerequisites. What level do children need to be at for this course?

Combine this with more advice from OurKids.net

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Creative writing classes are there?
There are 7 programs specializing in Creative writing. In addition, there are 21 programs offering creative writing as an activity. Use the filters to narrow by age and program type, then click on matched programs to see daily activities, dates, rates and registration information.

What are the fees to attend Creative writing classes?
Fees for Creative writing classes range from $225 to $500 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.

What age do Creative writing classes start at?
There are programs available for children aged 6 through 14.

Where can parents meet with Creative writing classes?
Meet with program directors and staff at the Our Kids Camp & Program Expo. The Expo is held annually in February, and is a fun and informative day for parents, kids, and teens. Find event details and free tickets here.