SheepDog Animation Studio for Kids & Teens
Celebrating 13 Years of Excellence and International Recognition!
STEM and Creative Art Programs for Kids and Teens
Studio Open House & After - School Programs Registration!
Enroll Today: Register online today or sign up in person at the studio Open House
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Open House Schedule:
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Friday, August 28 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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Saturday, August 29 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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Sunday, August 30 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMS & SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Animation, Technology, Art, Engineering, Math
Create Your Own Videogame
Coding & Game Design
Stop playing games and start making them! This hands-on program shifts students from passive players into active creators as they build their very own video game from scratch. Guided by experienced instructors, kids learn the entire development pipeline—from brainstorming ideas and scripting stories to designing unique characters, backgrounds, and visual art styles (whether classic pixel art or modern realism). Next, they dive into real, brain-boosting coding to bring their worlds to life. No prior experience is required, and all equipment is provided. Recommended Ages: 8 and up Skill Level: Absolute Beginner to Advanced. Want to see how it works? Sign up for a special introductory trial session for just $15. Your child will use our pre-animated SheepDog characters and backgrounds to code a playable game they can actually take home and play on their own device!
CREATIVE ART
Designed for ages 10 and up, this dynamic program introduces young artists to the foundational concepts of visual art. Students will master color theory, essential watercolor techniques, and fundamental pencil shading using light and shadow studies. As they progress, they will dive into introductory character design and perspective drawing. Our curriculum encourages hands-on experimentation across diverse mediums, including working with pottery clay. After mastering traditional art forms, students are welcome to transition into the exciting world of digital media. Test it out! Register for a $15 trial class before signing up. Flexible monthly payment plans are available. Click the registration button below for details.
JUNIOR CREATORS
Perfect for our youngest artists, the Junior Creators program is specially designed for ages 5 and up. This playful course focuses on developing fine motor skills and self-expression through hands-on art. Hand-building with pottery clay is the heart of the program, allowing children to squish, shape, and sculpt their own 3D creations. Alongside clay, students will dive into vibrant craft activities and exciting color projects. As one of our signature programs, Junior Creators offers a joyful, supportive environment where children can explore their imagination and build confidence through craft. Test it out! Register for a $15 trial class before signing up. Flexible monthly payment plans are available. Click the registration button below for details.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS for Teachers
Advanced Hands-On
STEM, STEAM, SHSM & OYAP
Educational Workshops
Our customizable curriculum tracks are specifically engineered to engage all student levels, offering dedicated pathways for all elementary school grades and specialized career streams for high schools. Whether you are looking to introduce young minds to basic spatial concepts or fulfill advanced Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) certifications and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Skilled Trades Focus: Specialized career streams offering trade information and practical foundations for Gas/Plumbing, CNC, and Electrical trades. We provide a fully equipped, zero-hassle environment designed to inspire future-ready career paths. Grade Levels: Elementary School (All Grades) & High School Programs Program Paths: STEM, STEAM, SHSM, and OYAP Aligned Flexible Formats: Interactive In-Studio Field Trips or Customized In-School Traveling WorkshopsCurriculum-Linked Workshop Options 3D Modeling Stop-Motion Animation Digital Animation & Painting Mechanical Automata Engineering - gears and pulleys Hand-Drawn Animation: Traditional art fundamentals 500 Years of Movie Magic Alive - math and history workshop Mixed-Media ART Character design Partner With Our Studio. We offer scalable booking options and customizable curriculum pathways to fit your specific grade level or course requirements. Click below to coordinate available dates for your school group or request our educational programs brochure.
Frame-by-Frame Filmmaking
Stop-Motion Animation
Unleash your child’s inner filmmaker in "The Magic of Stop-Motion Animation" program! Tailored for junior creators and older kids alike, students will bring their unique imagination to life by drafting custom scenes and crafting original characters out of clay, paper, or multi-media. Using the exact same professional cameras, studio-grade equipment, and industry software found in major production studios, they will capture their movies frame-by-frame. In the editing suite, they’ll master technical skills like adding titles, subtitles, music, and custom voiceovers. Best of all, every student takes home their completed animated masterpiece to host a movie night with family and friends! Test it out! Register for a $15 trial class before signing up. Flexible monthly payment plans are available. Click the registration button below for details.
The 3D Creators
3D Modeling & Printing
This hands-on program shifts students from passive tech consumers into active creators as they build custom 3D objects from scratch. Guided by an industry-experienced instructor, kids master 3D modeling using "virtual clay" inside professional software like Blender to design characters, toys, and entire worlds. Every character your child sees in video games like Minecraft or movies like Toy Story started as a 3D model, and now they can build them too. 3D Printing & Take-Home Models: Students enrolled in our full program will 3D print their designs and receive their physical models to take home! Please note that physical 3D printing is exclusive to full program enrollments and is not included in the trial class. No prior experience is required, and our fully equipped studio provides all high-tech gear. Recommended Ages: 8 and up Skill Level: Absolute Beginner to Advanced Want to see how it works? Sign up for a 2-hour introductory trial session for just $15. Your child will get hands-on studio experience and create their very first 3D digital shape to see firsthand how we turn imagination into a physical object! (Note: 3D printing and physical take-home models are not available for trial sessions).
School Program for Teachers
The Digital Art
Creators
2D Digital Animation & Painting
Step into the future of creativity with our Digital Art and Animation program. We bridge the gap between technology and art, introducing students to professional software. Your student will start from square one—mastering digital file organization, brushes, and toolbar navigation—before diving into exciting creative projects. Through practical exercises, they will master professional painting techniques and the 12 classic principles of animation. For our advanced creators, the sky is the limit: they can produce a fully realized, hand-drawn digital animation packed with custom sound and music. It is a fun, modern learning experience that equips students with graphic design skills that last a lifetime. Test it out! Register for a $15 trial class before signing up. Flexible monthly payment plans are available. Click the registration button below for details.
ROBOTICS & PROGRAMMING
CAD to CNC Makers
From CAD to CNC: Master Precision EngineeringTurn ideas into real physical parts. This hands-on program teaches kids and teens how to design, code, and build. Students master industry-standard CAD/CAM tools, write G-code and M-code, and operate tabletop CNC machines to accurately carve custom parts from wood and plastic
Mentorship
Portfolio Development for Canadian & International Students
Our Portfolio Development Mentorship Program offers elite preparation for highly competitive admissions, including the world-renowned Sheridan College Animation program. Through expert tutoring, we cover portfolios for 3D Animation and Immersive Technology Program at Sheridan College, game design, interactive media, illustration, architecture, graphic design, and engineering. We connect with students globally via Zoom, coaching talent from across Canada, various European nations, and international hubs like the USA, Nigeria, Australia, Turkey, Dubai, Thailand, and Mexico.Ready to launch your future? Book your complimentary introductory Zoom meeting today to view our student showcase and get all your questions answered.
ONLINE PROGRAMS
We bring high-quality art and STEM education directly to your screen through live, interactive Zoom classes. Whether you are living in a different city in Ontario, another Canadian province, or anywhere else in the world, you can learn from home! Explore our diverse online programs, including 3D Modeling, Digital Animation and Painting, History of Animation and Cinema, or build a winning post-secondary portfolio in our Portfolio Development Mentorship. Best of all, your first introductory class is completely complimentary, giving you a chance to meet us, ask questions, and discover how our programs work.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Celebrate your child’s next birthday with a fun, hands-on creative experience designed for ages 5 and up. Hosted directly at our studio, parties require a minimum of 5 attendees, and we can comfortably accommodate up to 28 guests—so feel free to make it a big celebration! You can choose the perfect activity from our premier programs, including Stop-Motion Animation, Digital Painting & Animation, 3D Modeling & Printing, or Game Design (read the descriptions for each program listed on this page). Have a large or diverse group? We can easily split your party into two separate groups using our multiple studio rooms and dedicated instructors. We offer flexible 1-hour and 2-hour party packages, with or without food.
WORKSHOPS
FOR ADULTS
Autumn Adult WorkshopsDiscover your creativity this autumn with our hands-on adult workshops! Join us for an immersive studio experience.September 26 Feature Workshop:Historic Indigo Watercolour Making: Step back in time and craft your own paint using an authentic recipe from 1490 Italy. Coming Soon (Dates to be announced): Introduction to Watercolour PaintingPottery Clay Hand Building Host a Private EventCan’t make the scheduled date? Gather your friends, family, or coworkers and host a private creative night in our studio! Group Size: Minimum of 5 participants required. Custom Scheduling: Pick a date and time that fits your group. Your Choice: You can request the Indigo Making, Watercolour Painting, or Pottery for your private group. Secure Your SpotSpaces for the September 26 Indigo workshop are limited. Email or contact us today to book your spot or to inquire about our upcoming autumn schedule!
500 Years of Movie Magic Alive
Step inside the ultimate time machine and track the wild evolution of the screen! Your 90-minute private backstage pass takes your group on a hands-on journey from 1500s Italian "magic lanterns" and early photography to the Lumière brothers' 1895 cinema revolution. Instead of staring at exhibits behind glass, you will handle real optical toys, pass around genuine artifacts, listen to original Thomas Edison sound machines, and look inside the gears of roaring French projectors from 1900. Cap off the experience with an optional interactive animation workshop where kids and curious minds bring their own stories to life. Built by passionate creators dedicated to keeping this legacy alive, it is the ultimate exploration for anyone ready to discover who really built the screens we watch today. Recommended Ages: 6 and up Group Size: Up to 12 guests Book Your Private Experience. This exclusive event is available by private booking only to give your group the best experience. Click below to email us your preferred day and time, and our team will contact you directly to finalize your visit.
Create, Celebrate, and Craft
Special Events
Celebrate the holidays with our Seasonal Special Event Workshops for kids, teens, and adults! This fall and winter, join us for exclusive, festive creative sessions designed just for Halloween and Christmas. Whether you want to craft spooky decorations or handmade holiday gifts, these limited-edition workshops are perfect for all ages.
Summer Programs
Ready to create? Our summer day camps and workshops run weekly until August 21 with completely flexible booking options. Choose from 2-hour, half-day, full-day, or multi-day sessions to fit your summer plans. We are open Monday–Friday (10 AM–4 PM) and Saturday (10 AM–12 PM)
ABOUT US
SheepDog Animation Studio
International Award-Winning Creative Hub
SheepDog Animation is an international award-winning studio for kids and teens. We serve a global community, mentoring students worldwide through our specialized online Portfolio Preparation Mentorship Program. Our studio provides an engaging platform for young minds to master animation, traditional and digital arts, and STEM education. Through hands-on training in coding, game design, and 3D modeling, we inspire innovation and empower students to express their unique stories through captivating visuals.
PHILOSOPHY
Our Core Values
At SheepDog Animation Studio, we believe in nurturing creativity, collaboration, and technical skills. Our mission is to empower young artists to think creatively and express themselves confidently through animation and art.
We are dedicated to providing a safe and inspiring environment where students can experiment, learn, and grow as they explore the limitless possibilities of animation.
TESTIMONIALS
Sheepdog is a phenomenal animation tutor! Alice and Paul have many years of experience as professional animators and share their knowledge and expertise with their students in a focused, efficient and inspiring manner. She took my son, who had little knowledge of animation, to a place of acceptance at two top GTA post-secondary institutions last fall, and this year, he was accepted to Sheridan!!!!!!! Alice is flexible, kind and brilliant at what she does. It has been a wonderful experience working with her and I would recommend them both always!
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Rosalind Mills
Our grandson loved the experience. Under the guidance of his teacher, he learned 3D printing, claymation, animation & computer game production. His second year attending Sheep Dog and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience!!
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Simply amazing online and in person classes, with extremely professional instruction and kind, reliable, hardworking teachers. Alice is a 2D animation specialist and thanks to her guidance I was able to create a submission portfolio for the animations program at Sheridan. She and her husband Pav walked with me through the entire process, and helped me create artwork that I was exceptionally proud of. Highly recommend getting involved with the studio, or simply getting to know the people here!
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Emiliya Ibenaminova
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Brought 16 family members and had a great time. Created 4 little hilarious films that are a keepsake even the younger children were involved. Highly recommended
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Chris Fader
Thomas Trotter
Great tour! We thoroughly enjoyed the cinematography history slide show. The owmer was extremely knowledgeable and had many hands-on exhibits for us to look at and use.
We're only sorry we had a time constraint and had to leave early, but we will be back
Nancy Manners
Our experience with sheepdog animation for a recent in school presentation was nothing short of transformative for our grade 7 and 8 students. It is rare to see a program successfully capture the attention of such a large group, but they delivered an experience that was both high energy and deeply educational. The presentation didn’t just showcase technical skills, It ignited a collective spark of creativity across the entire grade level. The instructor’s expertise was evident, and they handled complex questions with ease. I cannot recommend them highly enough for any school, looking to bring world class, creativity, and professional expertise directly into their building.
Mark Ventura