Make, create, sew, sculpt, glue, and collage! Instill the love of art and creativity in your child by allowing them to get their hands dirty and explore art in its many forms! We’ve curated a list of studios where you can take your little artist for drop-in classes, workshops, or camps! Read on to find the art class that is best for your little.
Make Do Art
Make Do Art is a studio and play space that offers lots of creative options for kids! You can go for story time, classes, camps, workshops, and drop in play for kids and their families. If you want to try some activities at home after attending a class you can even purchase DIY kits from the studio! Drop in Hours are for kids 1-6 years old on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10-2 p.m. They offer after-school classes, parent night out drop-offs, sewing classes, and spring and summer break camps!
Parent Night Out is the perfect opportunity for parents to get a much needed date night after they drop the kids off for a night of art, stories, sensory play, popcorn, and a movie.
5301 SE Francis St
415-779-8425
Online: makedoartstudio.com
Multnomah Art Center
At Multnomah Art Center they not only have a vibrant art education program but they also host theater, music, dance performances and gallery exhibitions. Check out the art center summer offerings for a full list of options. They have family classes that are designed for parents, guardians, and kids to interact and participate together. They have a strong emphasis on process rather than product allowing kids to trust and follow their creative impulses. All materials are included and they do most of the clean up! The visual art classes for youth are intended to be kid only.They have clay, wheel throwing, basic black and white darkroom classes, painting, drawing, and so much more!
7688 SW Capital HWY
503-823-2787
Online: multnomahartscenter.org
Spark Arts
Spark Arts has after-school art classes for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. If your little one loves to create and is too young for an after-school option check out the daily drop-in messy art studio from 9am-noon. Kids can paint, spray, glue, collage, and make a mess. Each week they have a new craft process with new supplies. There’s no need to register for Messy Art Studio. Drop-in is $8 an hour or $10 for unlimited time. Make sure you check their summer schedule before you drop-in! The summer camps will shift a few things. On Fridays from 3:15-5:30 p.m. kids in grades k-8 can drop in for their own open studio. Friday evening open studios are $12 per hour or $18 for 2 hours. You can also get them a 10 session punch card. Take note that the last open studio for kids k-8 is on June 1st. Regular open studio will start back up again after summer camps.
1805 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd
503-281-6757
Online: sparkartscenter.com
Portland Parks & Rec
At Portland Parks & Rec you can find drop-in art classes for toddlers, kids, and teens, art series, and summer camps! Classes are located all over the city in various community centers. Check out the full list of classes here. Some of the classes fill quickly so make sure you pre-register for your classes!
Locations all over Portland Metro.
Online: PortlandOregon.gov/parks/
SmartyPants
At Smartypants you can find all sorts art classes for kids ages one to ten. You can bring the younger kids to play in the mud and explore a variety of clay and dough or join in for squishy, slimy, and sloppy sensory play shenanigans. Some of the older kids may enjoy the sci-fi & fantasy art classes that use a variety of media to create mythical creatures and high tech spacecraft. Every month Smartypants offer workshops that will help you and your little ones get creative and crafty. Preregistration is required for all classes and workshops. You can become a member of the studio for unlimited open studio time, one free class or workshop, 2 guest passes, and 20-50% off art classes. Not a member? No problem. You can still drop by anytime they are open to Open Studio and delight in self-expression. Smartypants has a plethora of art supplies at every artist's disposal.
503-477-8884
5512 N. Montana ave (at N. Killingsworth st)
Online: http://www.smartypantspdx.com/
What are your favorite drop-in art classes? Let us know in the comments.
—Elissa Cirignotta
