Kids Up – Circus School Geneva

Kids Up Geneva is a circus school and motor activities center located in Meyrin , in the canton of Geneva.

The school occupies a dedicated 650 m2 room. This space is fully equipped to accommodate circus and motor development activities.

Kids Up Geneva develops a range of activities from those for very young children to circus classes for adults.

The circus forms one of the main axes of the center.

Circummotor skills from the age of four

Children can begin their exploration of circus arts as early as age four with circus motor skills development. This first step is primarily aimed at students in grades 1 and 2. It combines gymnastic exercises with circus disciplines adapted to the children's age.

Floor acrobatics is one of the main areas of focus. Acrobatic lifts are also introduced. Children thus discover teamwork at a very early age.

Aerial disciplines are already integrated into this introductory course. The trapeze is used. Aerial silks are also among the apparatus offered.

Balance disciplines are particularly diverse. Children can experiment with tightrope walking . The balance ball helps develop another form of postural control. The rola-bola is also among the equipment. The pedal exerciser allows them to work on coordination and balance.

Juggling completes this exploration of the great families of the circus.

Organization of the sessions

The circus-based motor skills sessions are structured as circuits . Two or three large circuits may be offered during a single session. The themes change regularly.

Children begin with simple exercises. The movements gradually become more complex. This structure allows for steady progress without imposing early specialization .

The teaching method aims to develop strength , flexibility , and coordination . Concentration is also an important objective. Children learn to listen to and follow instructions. Group work fosters mutual support and camaraderie. Self-confidence plays a central role.

Multidisciplinary circus classes

From around six years old and upon entering 3P (third grade ), children can join the full multidisciplinary circus classes. These weekly classes allow them to discover all the major circus disciplines offered by Kids Up.

Acrobatics are explored in greater depth. Human pyramids are practiced. Ground acrobatics remain fundamental. The mini-trampoline allows for the exploration of other movements and sensations.

Balancing remains an important skill. Tightrope walking is one of the disciplines taught. The ball is used. The balance beam provides another learning tool. The roller and various other objects allow for a wide range of balancing situations.

Juggling is another important discipline. It develops coordination and concentration, among other things.

Aerial disciplines complement the program. Aerial trapeze is taught. Aerial silks allow students to discover different forms of suspension and vertical movement.

A deliberately multidisciplinary approach

The sessions are intentionally multidisciplinary. Three learning sessions on different disciplines can be offered during the same course.

This diversity has genuine educational value. It allows each child to discover their own strengths. One student might be particularly comfortable with acrobatics. Another might excel in balance disciplines. A third might thrive in aerial disciplines or juggling.

The school thus seeks to highlight the unique talents of each individual .

The program is accessible to beginners. No prior experience is necessary. Technical elements are introduced gradually. Students can therefore join the school without having previously practiced gymnastics or circus arts.

A multidisciplinary teaching team

The teaching team has a diverse range of professional backgrounds. Kids Up Geneva employs qualified circus instructors . Sports educators also participate in the supervision. Psychomotor therapists contribute to the design of some courses. This combination allows for the creation of content tailored to the age and development of the children.

Managing success and disappointment is therefore explicitly a pedagogical objective.

This philosophy resonates particularly well with circus arts. Learning often requires repetition. The student must accept that a move won't work immediately. They gradually develop perseverance and confidence .

The circus for adults

Kids Up Geneva isn't just for children, however. A full range of circus classes for adults is also available, open to those 18 and over . Beginners are welcome, and those with prior experience can also participate. The content of the sessions is tailored to the group.

Adults can discover or further develop their skills in aerial silks . The trapeze is among the apparatus offered. Slacklining is also used. The tightrope allows for the practice of another technique. Juggling is still included. Acrobatics are part of the program. The trampoline completes this multidisciplinary offering.

The adult classes maintain the general philosophy of Kids Up. Strength, flexibility, and coordination are developed. But the enjoyment of the activity is also a key objective. Mutual support and a friendly atmosphere are encouraged. Circus arts become a physical activity that also allows participants to let go and unwind. They work on concentration and self-confidence.

The presence of a genuine weekly adult course slightly distinguishes the Geneva center from Kids Up's traditional children's offering.

Holiday camps and birthday parties

The school also offers a wide range of activities during school holidays. Circus workshops are organized during the breaks and are open to students from 1st grade onwards. Families can choose between half-day or full-day options.

These workshops combine sports and creative activities. Children can discover different disciplines. Regular students can also take advantage of these weeks to further develop their skills. The center thus offers circus arts activities that extend far beyond just weekly classes.

Kids Up Geneva also organizes birthday parties. These activities allow children who do not necessarily attend school all year round to discover the world of the circus.

The center promotes a family-oriented approach. The room has been designed to welcome children in a safe and suitable environment. A reception area is also provided for families.

An educational philosophy centered on child development

One of Kids Up's key features, however, remains its educational philosophy. Circus arts are considered particularly beneficial for children's development. They allow for the simultaneous exploration of several areas.

• Motor development naturally comes first: balance is required, coordination is developed, strength and flexibility progress.
• The circus also allows children to work on relationships with others : some activities require cooperation, children must respect instructions, they learn to wait and observe, they can encourage other members of the group.
• The diversity of disciplines also promotes self-esteem: each child can discover particular aptitudes.

Kids Up is therefore not solely focused on achieving technical performance. The objective is to enable the child to acquire skills that can be useful to them in other contexts.

The school places particular emphasis on concentration . Self-confidence is another key focus. The ability to cope with success and disappointment is also part of the learning process.

This approach aligns Kids Up more closely with a genuine educational circus program. However, it does not correspond to a social circus project in the specialized sense of the term. The school is not presented as an intervention structure for populations experiencing hardship or exclusion. It is therefore important to distinguish its significant educational dimension from the social circus approach developed by some other Swiss or European schools.

Similarly, no professional artist training is offered. Kids Up Geneva is an amateur school . Its mission is to allow children and adults to discover and practice circus arts in a structured environment.

The 2026-2027 season

The 2026-2027 season promises to be particularly busy. The annual schedule has been published.

• Circummotor skills are always offered from the age of four.
• Circus classes start from 3P.
• Adults still have their own specific course from the age of eighteen.
• Holiday internships are also continuing.

In summary

Kids Up Geneva is a major amateur circus school in the Geneva area. Its offerings are particularly attractive for families seeking structured progression.

Children begin with age-appropriate motor skills development. They then progress to a truly multidisciplinary education. Ground acrobatics, pyramids, mini-trampoline, juggling, balancing, trapeze, and aerial silks allow them to explore a wide range of circus arts.

In adulthood, this diversity continues with activities including aerial silks, trapeze, slackline, tightrope, juggling, acrobatics and trampoline .

The presence of circus professionals , sports educators and psychomotor therapists finally gives Kids Up Geneva an identity particularly oriented towards educational progression, motor skills and self-confidence.