A parent's guide to teen aerial
- Aerials Amsterdam
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
A short, honest guide for parents thinking about signing their teen up for aerial. Is it safe, is my teen the right fit, and what will they actually get out of it? Here are the answers to what parents ask us most.
Something genuinely different for your teen
If your teen is looking for an activity that isn't another team sport or a screen, aerial arts might be exactly it. It's creative, physical, and genuinely fun, and it gives young people aged 10 to 16 something that's all their own. It's not gymnastics, it's not dance, it's something in between that most kids have never tried.
Is it safe? (the question every parent asks first)
Safety is built in from the very first session, not added on later. Here's how we keep it that way:
Classes are small, with a maximum of 14 students, so every teen gets real attention.
Height is introduced gradually. Your teen will not be sent up the silk on day one. We start close to the ground and only go higher when they're ready.
Every class is taught by instructors who are experienced in working with young people and trained in aerial safety.
Crash mats and proper equipment are standard, and every move is taught step by step.
We work within each teen's comfort level, and we keep you informed along the way.
Is my teen the right fit?
Almost certainly yes. You do not need any of the following to start:
No gymnastics or dance background.
No flexibility. They build it by coming to class.
No prior experience of any kind.
Aerial welcomes every body and every level. The atmosphere is deliberately playful and non-competitive: the only person your teen measures themselves against is who they were last week. Kids who are shy, sporty, artistic, or none of the above all find their place.
What they'll take away
Aerial builds far more than physical strength. Over a course, teens develop:
Strength, coordination, and body awareness.
Confidence, the quiet kind that comes from learning to do something genuinely hard.
Discipline and patience, through step-by-step progression.
Creativity, by exploring their own shapes, flows, and transitions.
Friends, in a small and supportive group.
It helps teens grow more comfortable in their own skin, and it rarely feels like a workout.
What a class actually looks like
Every class starts with a warm-up to wake up the body and protect the shoulders and wrists. From there the instructor breaks down each move step by step, starting close to the ground, with someone right there throughout. Teens climb, spin, hold shapes, and by the end of a course they're linking moves together in the air and surprising themselves every time.
Think less boring workout, more circus.
Good to know
The practical details
Ages: 10 to 16.
What to wear: leggings or shorts that cover the backs of the knees, and a fitted top. No jewellery.
What to bring: just water and themselves. Mats and all apparatus are included, with no rental fees.
Where we are: Kabelweg 22, 1014 BB Amsterdam, in Amsterdam West, about 8 minutes from Sloterdijk station.
Class size: small groups, maximum 14.
A few quick answers
My teen has never done anything like this. Is that a problem? Not at all. Every course is built for complete beginners, and most students start with zero experience.
What if they're nervous? That's normal and expected. The group is small so it's not intimidating, and the instructors are used to helping nervous first-timers feel at ease.
Can they try before committing to a full course? Yes. Trial lessons are available, and in some courses it's possible to join partway through. Just ask us.
How often is class? It depends on the course. We run teen courses through the year, from multi-week silks courses to holiday camps.
How to sign up
We run teen aerial courses throughout the year, so there's usually one coming up. You can see current and upcoming courses and book directly on our teens page.
And because you're reading this, here's your welcome perk: use the code TEENEARLYBIRD at checkout to unlock our early-bird price on any teen course, even when the public early-bird date has passed. It's our way of saying thanks for looking into it.
We'd love to welcome your teen into the studio.
Ilan & the Aerials Amsterdam crew
Comments