300 W. HARGETT ST, #40, RALEIGH, NC 919-714-9082
Welcome to Cirque Kids
FUN(damental) sessions for whole-kid wellness
Goodbye, screen time. Hello, air time.
The circus arts help kids unplug and power up.
At Cirque de Vol, kids and teens practice physical skills and mental habits—away from the pressure of highly competitive sports and activities.
Using a wellness-focused curriculum based on child development research from Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Pilar Ruiz, circus arts encourage kids to focus, work through challenges, and trust themselves, even when the goal ahead is hard.
Our play-filled aerial, acro, and gymnastics classes take tenacity—even for high-energy kids! But at the end of the day (or camp!) you and your child will be amazed at what they’ve accomplished.
“My 7 year old attended a week summer camp at Cirque de Vol and they loved it. Everyday they came home excited to tell me all about what they learned and practiced. At the end of the week, I received a video of the routine they did for the camp. It was so nice to see their hard work! I was really impressed.”
- Beth H.
Our aerial and acro instructors are kids at heart
And can’t wait to welcome your child or teen to Cirque!
Each of our trainers are certified, safety-minded, and specially trained to support kids. Our youth and teen classes and camps help every child feel comfortable, supported, and confident—even if they’re nervous to try something new.
“My daughter is just not into sports. As we were trying to find her thing we stumbled upon aerial silks. She has been doing silks for a year, has become more confident and she found her joy. Love this place and all of the teachers.”
- Katie H.
Nurture your child’s health and happiness
With aerial training classes and camps at Cirque de Vol
Aerial Training
Our youth aerial training program is a series of classes designed to help your Pre-K child, youth, or teen level up their skills, week by week. You can choose a once-per-week series or twice-per-week training.
Class options include:
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Aerial silks
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Aerial sling
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Acrobatics
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Lyra
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Gymnastics
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Ensemble Performance
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and more!
Kids are welcome to drop in and try out a class during the first two weeks of each new session.
Weekly aerial training starts at $129/month
2X Weekly training + gymnastics intensive starts at $230/month
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Camps + Special Sessions
Have a ball—and juggle three!—during our popular circus skills camps. In each one-week program, Pre-K kids, youth, and teens will learn skills like aerial silks, hula hoop, poi, juggling, plate spinning, and more through our mindfulness-centered creative movement curriculum. At the end of each camp, we’ll perform our very own circus right here in the studio.
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We also have a variety of special events and one-day sessions, including:
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Pre-K, and more!
See our camp and special session schedule for registration and pricing info.
Birthdays at Cirque Kids
Want to create a birthday party experience they’ll never forget? Host your next party with Cirque Kids! Our immersive and high-energy sessions include aerial arts, basic tumbling and circus gymnastics, juggling, hula hoops, and more—encouraging creative play for kids (of all ages!).
Add-ons like face painting, balloon twisting, juggling, and performances are available to immerse your child in the wow and wonder of the circus!
Starting at $350 for 8 attendees
New to Cirque Kids?
Swing into new skills with these three steps:
Sign up
Choose your pre-K, youth, or teen class or camp experience from the list below. When you tap Register, you’ll be prompted to create a Mindbody account.
Show up
When you and your child arrive, check in with your instructor. They’ll show you around the studio, introduce your child to the group, and help them get comfortable—and ready for fun!
Stretch out!
From the first session, your youth or teen will build new skills and playful friendships in an environment that encourages holistic wellbeing. You’ll be amazed at what they learn!
Not sure what Cirque Kids class or camp to choose? We’re here to help!
“Our instructor was an absolute gem! She challenged and supported each and every student. They all left fully in love with aerial silks. Such a wonderful experience!”
- Morgan C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see your answer below? Just reach out!
We’re new to circus arts… What can my child expect?
Cirque Kids is a fun and supportive environment where they’ll be introduced to the basics of circus arts, aerial silks, acrobatics, and gymnastics. Each class is designed to strengthen confidence, coordination, creativity, and mindfulness—four focuses that are built right into our curriculum.
On your first visit, plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early so your child can meet their instructor and tour our studio. For most classes, they’ll want to dress in comfortable clothing they can easily move in—no jeans or dresses, and leave all jewelry and accessories at home.
Don’t forget to bring lots of water. Clowning around can be hard work!
Can I observe my child’s class?
We believe it’s important for parents to see their child’s progress and how they interact with circus arts. That’s why every camp and aerial training program ends with a big performance, under the big top! However, to maintain a distraction-free space for all students, we ask parents to drop their child off and let our highly trained team take it from here.
Does my child need any experience in circus arts, dance, or gymnastics?
No prior experience in circus arts, dance, or gymnastics is required to join (and enjoy!) our classes and camps. Our programs are tailored to accommodate all skill levels, from circus beginners to experienced young performers.
What safety measures are in place?
Thank you for asking. Safety is a critical structure of everything we do at Cirque de Vol.
Our studio structure is reinforced by custom-built steel beams installed under the local expert leadership of structural architect Lee Cherry. Our rigging was also formally inspected and approved on-site by Delbert Hall, Ph.D. ( Dr. Hall was the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology - Southeast Region's Outstanding Educator in Theatrical Design and Technology for 2000-2001, and received an Outstanding Achievement Award for special effects rigging from the Kennedy Center for the Arts in 2000. He also wrote the book on aerial rigging. )
In addition to our equipment, all of our staff go through regular and rigorous rigging and safety training intensives. We conduct annual and quarterly rigging equipment inspections and inspect visual rig-point equipment before every class. We also hold an annual Staff review training of safety policies, inspections and regulations.
In our training, we prioritize mastering the correct techniques, focusing not just on acquiring skills but on understanding the how and why behind each one. This approach serves a dual purpose: it minimizes the risk of injuries and facilitates a gradual progression, allowing you to confidently build on your existing skills. Our commitment is to challenge you safely within the confines of your skill level in every class.
All of that said, there will always be risks as you increase in altitude, skill level, and complexity. Our job is to train you to mitigate those risks—not just to help you avoid injury, but also increase your confidence, enjoyment, and expression of the craft.
Where can I learn more about child-development training from Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Pilar Ruiz?
We love that you asked! Every single one of our staff who works with children goes through extensive training, including a 4-week child development course by Pilar Ruiz called The Way of Parenting, which is filled with powerful tools for nurturing healthy relationships with kids to support their development and create environments that foster natural growth, exploration, and self-expression.
"You cannot teach the mind until you have the heart."
—Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D.
Neufeld Institute