Put Down the Paint Brush! Kid Craft Classes You Didn’t Know Existed

You know the importance of exposing your kids to creative endeavors, so you offer up drawing and painting, maybe even a little sculpture. But what do you do when your little ones says, “mommy, I’d like to learn how to knit an infinity scarf,”  or “can I take a farm-to-table cooking class?” Don’t stress. With our list of quirky craft classes, you can help your little artist learn things like jewelry-making, photography, spinning and fused glass design.

Photo: The Art League via Facebook

Silk Screening at The Art League
The Art League offers classes and summer camps for ages 5 to 15 in everything from painting, drawing and ceramics, to photography, jewelry making, fiber arts (knitting and the like) and clay animation. Silk screening is a fave for the kid-set since it’s super actvie. They also have a basic summer art camp that exposes kids to a variety of different mediums, which is a great option if your little one is creative, but not quite sure what she wants to pursue.

Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St. Room 216 (Alexandria, Va)
Online: theartleague.org

Cooking (for Toddlers!) at Creative Kids Kitchen
Yes, cooking is an art and involves a huge amount of craftsmanship. It also involves a whole lot of mess, which is why many of us find so many reasons why we can’t do it with our little ones at home. The solution? Outsource it!  Creative Kids Kitchen offers food crafting classes for kids as young as two. Yep, you read that right.

Lorcom Ln. and Nellie Custis Ave. (North Arlington, Va)
703-664-0922
Online: creativekidskitchen.com

Fashion Design at Bits of Thread
If you have an aspiring seamstress or fashion designer on your hands, Bits of Thread is the place for you.  Featuring all things sewing related, the shop offers children’s classes in beginning sewing where they learn how to safely use a sewing machine, practice design skills, and complete simple projects such as garments, bags, accessories, stuffed animals, and other toys. They also offer fashion design camps.

1794 Columbia Rd., NW #6 (Adams Morgan)
202-642-9622
Online: bitsofthread.com

Spinning at Fibre Space
Your little yarnista will find a home at Fibre Space, which offers introductory classes and private lessons for kids in knitting, crocheting and spinning. And if you have no idea what spinning is, listen up:  it’s learning to spin yarn on a drop spindle. If you learn to spin, you can make your own yarn!

1219 King St. (Alexandria, Va)
703-664-0344
Online: fibrespace.com

Fused Glass Design at All Fired Up
While your little ones won’t get to sit down at the pottery wheel and create something magical out of clay at All Fired Up, they will choose from a huge selection of pottery to paint, ranging in prices from $2 to $60. They can also learn to mosaic just about anything, from animals, to boxes, to mirrors and tables. A newer option that is popular among kids is fused glass. Choose from hundred of colorful glass pieces to help create your own design. Then fuse it together in the kiln for a gorgeous piece to take home.

3413 Connecticut Ave. (Cleveland Park)
202-363-9590
Online: allfiredup.com

Do you know of any cool craft classes around the DMV? Tell us about them in the Comments section below. 

—Jamy Bond