6 Best Online Comedy Writing Courses For Youth That Build Real Confidence

Does your child have a knack for making everyone laugh, but you’re not sure how to channel that energy? Maybe they’re the quick-witted one in the family, the "class clown," or just a keen observer who sees the world a little differently. Finding the right outlet for this talent can transform it from a simple party trick into a powerful tool for building real, lasting confidence.

Why Comedy Writing Boosts Youth Confidence

When we think of comedy, we often just see the performance—the person on stage making people laugh. But for a young person, the process of learning to write comedy is where the real magic happens. It’s an exercise in empathy, requiring them to step into an audience’s shoes and understand what makes people tick. This builds a profound sense of social awareness and connection.

Learning to structure a joke or a funny story is also an incredible lesson in critical thinking and problem-solving. It teaches kids to look at ordinary situations from an unexpected angle, find the absurdity, and communicate that idea clearly and concisely. They learn that their unique perspective has value.

Most importantly, comedy teaches resilience. Every writer and performer knows the feeling of a joke that doesn’t land. Learning to handle that moment, dust yourself off, and try again is one of the most valuable life skills a child can develop. It decouples their self-worth from a single outcome and proves they can survive—and even learn from—failure.

The Second City: Improv & Sketch for Tweens

You’ve got a social, energetic 11- to 14-year-old who thrives in a group setting. They love bouncing ideas off others and the energy of a team. For this child, the legendary Second City’s online programs are a fantastic fit. Their classes focus on improvisation and sketch comedy, which are all about collaboration.

The core principle of improv, "Yes, And…," teaches kids to build on their partners’ ideas instead of shutting them down. This is an incredible tool for creative thinking and social skills. In these classes, your child won’t be writing alone in a notebook; they’ll be creating scenes and characters on the spot with their peers, guided by experienced instructors.

• Best for: The collaborative, social tween (ages 11-14) who enjoys performance and teamwork.
• Commitment Level: Medium. These are structured, multi-week courses that require consistent attendance for the group to succeed.
• Key Skill: Builds quick thinking, listening skills, and the ability to work creatively within a group. It’s less about joke formulas and more about spontaneous creation.

Gotham Writers’ Workshop for Teen Stand-Up

Is your teen the one who analyzes stand-up specials and keeps a running list of funny observations on their phone? If they are drawn to the idea of a solo spotlight and crafting a unique voice, the Gotham Writers’ Workshop for teens is an excellent, more focused choice. This program zeroes in on the mechanics of stand-up comedy writing.

Unlike improv, this is about the individual. Students learn to mine their own lives for material, structure a premise-punchline joke, and develop a distinct comedic persona. It’s a vulnerable process, but one that builds immense self-awareness and confidence in one’s own story. The workshop environment provides a safe, constructive space to test material with peers.

• Best for: The introspective, observant teen (ages 14-17) who wants to develop a personal voice and learn joke structure.
• Commitment Level: Medium to High. Requires weekly writing assignments and the courage to share personal work for feedback.
• Key Skill: Teaches joke mechanics, persona development, and the art of turning personal experience into relatable comedy.

Outschool: Joke Writing for Young Comedians

Perhaps your child is younger, maybe 8 to 12, and you’re just looking for a low-stakes way to explore their interest. You want to see if this is a passing fancy or a real passion before investing in a bigger program. Outschool is the perfect platform for this exploratory phase.

Outschool is a marketplace of independent teachers, offering a huge variety of short-term classes and one-off workshops on very specific topics, like "Beginner’s Joke Writing" or "How to Write a Funny Story." The flexibility is unmatched. You can find a 45-minute class to see if the topic clicks, without committing to an eight-week session.

• Best for: Younger kids (ages 8-12) or any child just starting to show interest in comedy.
• Commitment Level: Very Low. Many classes are single sessions, allowing you to test the waters without a significant time or financial commitment.
• Key Skill: Introduces the most basic concepts of what makes something funny in an accessible, fun, and age-appropriate format.

MasterClass with Steve Martin for Self-Starters

You have a highly motivated older teen, perhaps 16 or older, who is a true self-starter. They consume books on writing, watch interviews with creators, and are already filling notebooks with ideas. For this disciplined learner, a subscription to MasterClass to watch Steve Martin’s course on comedy is an incredible value.

It’s important to understand what this is: it’s not an interactive class with feedback. It’s a beautifully produced lecture series where a master of the craft breaks down his entire philosophy and process. Your teen can learn about developing a persona, finding their comedic voice, and the psychology of laughter. It’s the kind of deep-dive inspiration that can fuel a dedicated young writer for months.

• Best for: The self-directed, mature teen (16+) who is already writing and seeking inspiration and high-level theory.
• Commitment Level: Low (in terms of structure), but High (in terms of self-discipline). They have to be motivated to watch and apply the lessons on their own.
• Key Skill: Provides a master’s-level framework for thinking about comedy as an art form, not just a set of rules.

The Groundlings: Teen Improv for Performers

If your teen is obsessed with character work—they do voices, create elaborate backstories for people they see, and love physical comedy—then The Groundlings is a name you should know. While similar to Second City in its improv roots, The Groundlings has a renowned focus on creating memorable, specific characters.

Their teen improv classes are perfect for the aspiring actor or sketch performer who wants to go beyond just being quick-witted. The exercises are designed to help students build unique, funny characters from the ground up. This is a foundational skill for anyone interested in sketch shows like Saturday Night Live, where so much of the humor comes from recurring characters.

• Best for: The teen performer (ages 14-17) who loves acting and creating distinct, memorable characters.
• Commitment Level: Medium to High. These are serious performance workshops that build week over week.
• Key Skill: Deep character development, physicality, and building scenes from a character’s specific point of view.

UCLA Extension for Aspiring TV Comedy Writers

Your teen is about to graduate high school. They aren’t just interested in comedy; they are seriously considering it as a career path and want to write for television. For this pre-professional, the investment in a program like the UCLA Extension’s writing courses can be a game-changer.

These are not "fun" after-school classes; they are rigorous, university-level workshops that teach the craft and business of television writing. Students will learn to write in industry-standard formats, structure a 30-minute sitcom pilot, and participate in a "writer’s room" environment. It’s a taste of the professional world and an invaluable experience for anyone applying to film or writing programs for college.

• Best for: The highly committed older teen (17-18+) who is seriously exploring a career in screenwriting.
• Commitment Level: Very High. These are demanding courses with significant writing workloads and deadlines, mirroring a professional environment.
• Key Skill: Professional script formatting, sitcom structure, and the collaborative process of a TV writer’s room.

Supporting Your Child Beyond the First Class

The class is just the beginning. The real growth happens when your child starts applying what they’ve learned in the world. Your role as a parent is to become a supportive producer, creating low-stakes opportunities for them to practice.

This doesn’t have to be complicated. Encourage them to watch stand-up or sketch comedy with you and talk about why a joke worked or a scene was funny. Help them find a youth open-mic night or a school talent show where they can try out two minutes of material. If they have friends from their class, suggest they form a small writing group that meets online once a week to share ideas.

The goal isn’t to push them toward a career, but to honor their interest. Show them that you value their creative voice and are proud of their courage to share it. That support is more valuable than any class you can buy.

Ultimately, the best comedy writing class is the one that meets your child where they are. Whether they’re a shy observer or a born performer, learning to write comedy is a powerful way for them to find their voice, build resilience, and learn to see the world—and themselves—with a little more joy.