Live Online Animation
Classes for Kids
Every Child Has
a Story to Tell
Not Just Consume
In our classes, kids develop one of today’s most valuable skills — the ability to communicate their ideas through visual storytelling.
So much of the way we communicate today happens through video and digital content. That’s why we teach kids not just to consume content, but to create it themselves.
Students invent their own characters, bring them to life through animation, and begin to think like directors — using action, emotion, composition, and storytelling to express their ideas.
They Don’t Just Use Technology —
They Learn to Create With It.
To turn those ideas into finished animated projects, students learn to use modern creative tools and software used by professionals in the industry.
What Your Child Will Learn
Your child will learn one of the most important creative skills in our world — how to communicate ideas and tell stories through visual language. With so much communication happening through images, video, and digital media, they’ll learn to use drawing, movement, animation, camera, sound, and modern digital tools to express their ideas.
Student work: Samuel, Renzo, Ira, Nina, Daniil, Demid, Ulyana, Liza, Roma and Viktoria
Skills Your Child Will Build
Your child will build practical creative skills they can use for school projects, videos, animations for YouTube or social media, and their own original content — learning to create with digital tools instead of only consuming content.
Tell Stories Through Animation
Turn ideas into stories through images and movement
Tell Stories Through Animation
Turn ideas into stories through images and movement
Students learn how to turn ideas into clear, engaging stories through images, movement, and action.
Develop Their Own Ideas
Develop original ideas and make creative decisions
Develop Their Own Ideas
Develop original ideas and make creative decisions
Students develop their own characters and ideas, make creative decisions, and gradually become the authors of their own projects.
Finish What They Start
Take a project from idea to finished animation
Finish What They Start
Take a project from idea to finished animation
Students learn how to take an idea from the first concept to a finished animation they can be proud to share.
Animate Their Own Drawings
Bring characters to life through movement and emotion
Animate Their Own Drawings
Bring characters to life through movement and emotion
Students learn how to bring characters to life through movement, expressions, emotions, poses, and reactions.
Create Their Own Stories
Build clear and engaging stories from beginning to end
Create Their Own Stories
Build clear and engaging stories from beginning to end
Students learn how to build a clear story with a beginning, development, and ending.
Learn How Animation Works
Learn movement, poses, timing, and rhythm
Learn How Animation Works
Learn movement, poses, timing, and rhythm
Students develop an understanding of movement, key poses, timing, and rhythm — the foundations of believable animation.
Work with Camera & Composition
Frame shots clearly and guide the viewer’s attention
Work with Camera & Composition
Frame shots clearly and guide the viewer’s attention
Students learn how to use camera angles, shot types, framing, and composition to make a scene clearer and more engaging.
Work with Modern Digital Tools
Build confidence using digital animation software
Work with Modern Digital Tools
Build confidence using digital animation software
Students build practical confidence using digital animation software and the tools needed to create their own projects.
Use Sound to Tell the Story
Use sound to strengthen mood and storytelling
Use Sound to Tell the Story
Use sound to strengthen mood and storytelling
Students learn how music, sound effects, voiceover, and atmosphere can strengthen a scene and support the story.
Kids Create, Not Just Practice
New skills become much more meaningful when children can use them right away to make something of their own.
Create Right Away
We believe children learn animation best when they can immediately use new skills to create something of their own.
Learn Through Projects
Instead of spending weeks on repetitive exercises, students work on short animation projects with a clear goal and a visible result. New concepts are introduced while they are drawing, animating, and solving creative challenges.
See Real Results
In many classes, students complete a small animation or make meaningful progress toward a finished project. Seeing their ideas come to life gives them a real sense of accomplishment and keeps them excited about what they’ll create next.
Your Child’s Own
Animation Portfolio
As your child completes projects throughout the course, they’ll build a growing collection of finished animation work they can be proud of.
After completing the full course, selected projects will be featured on their own personal portfolio page on the Shahov Animation School website — a page they can share with family and friends, show at school, and keep as an early creative portfolio for future school, college, or creative opportunities.
See What Our Students Create
After just a few months of classes, students are already creating animated projects like these — developing their own characters, stories, movement, and visual style.
Curriculum Timeline
Our curriculum takes students from the fundamentals of movement to creating and directing their own animated stories.
Movement
Students learn the foundations of animation and discover how drawings come to life.
Stories
Students move beyond individual exercises and begin creating complete animated stories.
Directing
Students become the authors and directors of their own projects, making more independent creative decisions.
From First Movement to Their Own Film
Throughout the program, students gradually progress from creating their first moving drawings to developing complete animated stories of their own.
They are not simply learning software — they are learning how to turn an idea into a story, communicate it visually, and create work they can be proud of.
How Regular Classes Work
Live on Zoom — Not Pre-Recorded
Real-time instruction, questions, and feedback during every class
Live on Zoom — Not Pre-Recorded
Real-time instruction, questions, and feedback during every class
Our regular classes take place live on Zoom. They are not built around a library of pre-recorded lessons that students watch on their own.
Children work with the instructor in real time, can ask questions, show their work, and receive feedback while they are actually drawing and animating.
This makes the class feel much closer to a real creative classroom: students are actively participating instead of simply watching another video on a screen.
55-Minute Classes
Focused, hands-on lessons designed to keep kids engaged
55-Minute Classes
Focused, hands-on lessons designed to keep kids engaged
Our 55-minute class format gives the instructor enough time to work with every student and provide individual feedback during the lesson.
About 90% of class time is hands-on practice. Instead of separating theory from practice, we explain new concepts while students are actually drawing and animating.
In 55 minutes, students can make meaningful progress — and often complete a small animation — without becoming tired or losing focus. They finish the class feeling accomplished, engaged, and motivated to keep creating.
Class Schedule
Choose one or two classes per week based on your family’s schedule
Class Schedule
Choose one or two classes per week based on your family’s schedule
Students can attend classes once or twice per week.
After the free trial, we’ll help you choose a class schedule that works best for your child and your family.
We recommend two classes per week for more consistent practice and faster progress, but a once-a-week schedule is also available.
Ages 8–15 — Beginners Welcome
No previous animation experience required — students can work at their own level
Ages 8–15 — Beginners Welcome
No previous animation experience required — students can work at their own level
Our classes are designed for kids and teens ages 8–15, from complete beginners to students who already have some drawing or animation experience.
Projects are structured so every student can follow the main lesson while still having room to make creative choices and work at their own level. Beginners can focus on the essential steps, while more experienced students can add more detail, movement, and complexity to their work.
No previous animation experience is required — just curiosity and a desire to create.
Learn from Animation Professionals
Working animators bring real industry experience into every lesson
Learn from Animation Professionals
Working animators bring real industry experience into every lesson
Our classes are taught by working animation professionals who bring real industry experience into every lesson.
Students don’t just learn how to use animation software. They learn how animators think, plan scenes, solve creative problems, and make decisions while developing a project.
Our instructors share practical techniques, professional workflows, and their own experience while drawing and animating together with the class.
This gives students a chance to learn not only the tools of animation, but also the creative process behind real animated work.
The Instructor Draws and Animates With the Class
Students see the real animation process demonstrated live, step by step
The Instructor Draws and Animates With the Class
Students see the real animation process demonstrated live, step by step
The instructor doesn’t simply explain what students should do. They draw and animate live while the class works on the same project.
Students can see how an animation is actually built from the first drawing to the finished scene — including the choices the instructor makes along the way.
Children can follow the process step by step, compare it with their own work, ask questions, and discuss what is happening while they create. This gives them a real example to learn from instead of only receiving instructions.
Small Groups, Personal Feedback
Only 5–8 students, so every child has time with the instructor
Small Groups, Personal Feedback
Only 5–8 students, so every child has time with the instructor
We intentionally keep our regular classes small. We don’t fill Zoom sessions with dozens of students where children can easily disappear into the group.
With only 5–8 students, every child has time to ask questions, show their work, and receive individual feedback from the instructor. The teacher can see how each student is progressing and help when something becomes difficult.
At the same time, children still get the experience of creating alongside other kids who share their interests — seeing different approaches, exchanging ideas, and being part of a small creative group.
A Creative Community for Kids
Students create alongside other kids who share their interests
A Creative Community for Kids
Students create alongside other kids who share their interests
Animation is even more exciting when children can create alongside others who share their interests.
In our live small-group classes, students are surrounded by other creative kids who enjoy drawing, animation, characters, and storytelling. They can see how others approach the same project, exchange ideas, and inspire one another.
This helps students feel that they are not creating alone — they are part of a creative community where their interests are understood, encouraged, and shared.
Level-Based Groups
Students join the group that matches their level and progress through the program
Level-Based Groups
Students join the group that matches their level and progress through the program
Our regular classes use a rolling enrollment system and are organized by learning level rather than around one fixed course start date.
When a student joins, they are placed into a group that matches their current level. The projects are structured so new students can begin comfortably, understand the class format, and start creating without having to wait for a completely new group to open.
As students complete projects and develop their skills, they continue progressing through the program and move on to the next level.
Flexible Make-Up Classes
If your child misses a class, they can often join another group that week
Flexible Make-Up Classes
If your child misses a class, they can often join another group that week
If your child needs to miss a class, it doesn’t automatically mean the lesson is lost.
When space is available, they can attend another appropriate group during the same week to make up the missed class and stay on track with the program.
This gives families more flexibility when schedules change unexpectedly, without having to lose a class whenever possible.
What Your Child Will Need
Tablet or
Touchscreen
You can also use any device that supports drawing directly on the screen.
A stylus is recommended, but not required for the trial class.
The Rough Animator
app
Download RoughAnimator
Zoom
We recommend using Zoom on a separate device so your child can follow the instructor while animating.
Give Your Child a Way to Bring Their Story to Life
Let them experience animation for themselves — book a free live trial class and start creating.
BOOK A FREE TRIAL
Why Parents Choose Us
A creative class where children are guided, challenged, and encouraged to make something of their own.
Real Teaching, Live
Students learn directly from an instructor who demonstrates, explains, and helps them as they work.
Small Groups, More Attention
Every student has time to ask questions, show their work, and receive individual guidance.
They Create, Not Just Watch
Class time is spent drawing, animating, making decisions, and turning ideas into finished work.
Skills That Grow With Them
Students build confidence in animation, storytelling, visual thinking, and creative problem-solving.
Parent Reviews
Parent video testimonial about Shahov Animation School.
The video shows a child creating animation and drawing on a tablet.
No matter what AI can do, keep teaching your kids valuable skills. Drawing is one of them. It helps develop focus, thinking skills, coordination, and neuroplasticity.
Did an animation on the very first class! Kids learn faster than you'd expect.
Parent testimonial about Shahov Animation School.
It was the best decision to enroll my child in animation classes. He sits and draws his cartoons with pleasure!
Parent testimonial about Semyon's online animation classes at Shahov Animation School.
Good afternoon. Just wanted to remind you that you have animation class today.
Hello! Thank you so much! Semyon has an alarm set for 10 minutes before class.
Good for him!
Thank you. We're trying.
His drawing has definitely improved. You can really tell he's gotten better at drawing.
Thank you, it's so nice to hear! Semyon is very happy with the classes and already feels more confident in his drawing. I personally really like that in your class each child moves at their own pace, even though they're working on the same project. It's really great!
Thank you.
Parent video testimonial about Shahov Animation School.
The video shows a child working on an animation project and creating a cartoon character during an animation class.
Student animation work created as part of an online animation class for kids at Shahov Animation School.
Tuition Packages
One Class per Week
Save more when you choose a longer enrollment period.
Rate
Savings
Price
How packages work
The 1-month option includes 4 classes.
Longer packages are based on calendar months, not on a fixed number of classes.
Classes are held once a week.
The school observes major U.S. holidays and seasonal breaks.
No classes are held on these dates, and these closures are already reflected in the package pricing.
Tuition Packages
Two Classes per Week
Save more when you choose a longer enrollment period.
Rate
Savings
Price
How packages work
The 1-month option includes 8 classes.
Longer packages are based on calendar months, not on a fixed number of classes.
Classes are held twice a week.
The school observes major U.S. holidays and seasonal breaks.
No classes are held on these dates, and these closures are already reflected in the package pricing.
Arizona ESA Funding Accepted
Eligible Arizona families can use ESA funds to pay for our animation classes through ClassWallet.
