Get Inspired: 14 Craft Kits from Bay Area Shops

The Rabbit Hole, San Francisco

This children’s theatrical space in the heart of Noe Valley is a mecca for make-believers. In lieu of classes, the founder has designed a series of Bunny Boxes filled with a curated selection of hand-made projects designed to spark pretend adventures for kids ages 3-6. Each box includes several projects, a letter from a magical character and an interactive video to spark make-believe play. Boxes are available for pick up at on Wednesdays between 4‑5 p.m. or for an additional fee, can be delivered right to your door.

For Valentine's Day, you can order a kit that goes along with their Saturday Morning Theater production of The Valentine's Ball. Cost: $40

Cost: $40-55; discounts available for siblings or with a multi-box purchase

Online: the-rabbit-hole-shop.square.site

Culinary Artistas, San Francisco

Tucked into the heart of Ghirardelli Square, Culinary Artistas is a creative cooking school just for kids, offering classes, camps, parties and more. You can book a Zoom-based cooking class for your crew, and they offer a curated a special kids cooking kit with a safe chef’s knife and other kid-friendly utensils. Delivered via USPS.

Cost: $35

Online: culinaryartistas.getgalore.com

Jenny Lemons, San Francisco

Jenny Lemons is a small-batch clothing company and DIY art school run by San Francisco-based artist Jennie Lennick. It carries an adorable selection of embroidery, painting and tie dye craft kits best for slightly older kids. Check out their Valentine's Day shop for kits to go along with the paper mache class, Valentine's Day postcard class and bundle dyeing with flowers class. 

Cost: $20 and up

Online: jennylemons.com

Aldea Home & Baby

This Mission District home store, which offers hand selected eco-friendly toys, baby items and décor goods, is offering several kid-oriented craft and playtime kits, including a Being Creative Kit featuring a book for fashioning origami animals and a dinosaur coloring set. The kits can be purchased online and either picked up at the store or received by mail.

Cost: $20 and up

Online: aldeahome.com

Messy Art Lab, San Francisco

This art studio for kits is offering a number of fun kits that will let kids create and explore the world around them. Choose from the fairy or unicorn small world kits that let little ones create mini worlds for imaginary creatures. They also have a fun rainbow kit that includes painting materials and is great for the littlest of artists. 

Cost: $33 and up, additional $6 for delivery

Online: messyartlab.getgalore.com

Sketchbook Studio, San Francisco

All sorts of art kits are available for purchase from Sketchbook Studio. You can make a weaving for a llama, decorate a frame or learn the art of embroidery. 

Cost: $10 and up

Online: sketchbookstudiosf.com

I Heart Art, Pleasant Hill

So many cute options are available at this Pleasant Hill art shop. Make a mermaid shadowbox, build and decorate your own castle, make your own bugs and craft some clay plates. Curbside pickup is available Monday-Friday or they offer free delivery in Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Concord, Martinez and Lafayette. 

Cost: $20 and up

Online: iheartartstudio.co

Twirl Alameda

The owner at Twirl will custom-build a craft kit for your child (recommended for ages 2 to 12). Purchase online and include a note with your child’s age and special likes; they will develop a personalized box full of art goodies accordingly. Even better, they will deliver it to you at home, or anywhere in the East Bay.

Cost: $60 including delivery; delivery outside Alameda $10 extra

Online: twirlalameda.com

Lemon Blossom Creations, Walnut Creek

The art studio in Walnut Creek, located in the Palos Verdes Mall, is a treasure trove for creative types with camps, classes and parties galore. During shelter-in place, they are offering a nice selection of craft kits, including a Pirate Craft Kit (our favorite!) and a Critter Kit. Even better, they will personally deliver the kit to you if you live in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda or Moraga.

Cost: $22 and up

Online: lemonblossomcreations.com

The Art Beat, Campbell

Decorate a canvas tote, take an at-home painting class, paint ceramics and more. All these kits and tons of other options are available for pick up or delivery from The Art Beat in Campbell. 

Cost: $14 and up

Online: theartbeat.net

Young Art, Multiple Locations

This drop-in art studio offers loads of virtual art classes for kids while we are sheltering at home. Sign up for one and get your art kit online to get creating!

Cost: Various prices

Online: youngartlessons.com

CuriOdyssey Science Kits, San Mateo

Curiodyssey has 23 different science kits, perfect for at home learning, including quite a few fun robotic kits. Build a solar rover using a soda can, study wind with your own wind turbine, get hands deep in science with the Yuckology Slime Lab and more.

Cost: $13.99 and up

Online: shop.curiodyssey.org

Fuzed Glass Studio, San Rafael

The glass art studio in San Rafael is normally open for drop-ins, classes and parties, and they're now offering home delivery kits for decorative glass projects ranging from lively fridge magnets to colorful sun catchers and pop sockets. The projects are more suited to for kids ages 5 and up, with parental supervision recommended for younger children. Kit delivery is included; drop the designed piece back off at the studio later to be fired in the kiln.

Cost: $12-35

Online: fuzedglass.com

Little Tree Art Studio, San Anselmo

Each Monday, this darling art studio releases a new art kit, which can be picked up at its location in downtown San Anselmo. If you live close by, delivery on Tuesdays is included. Past themes have included robot sculpture, batik tapestry and heart garlands. Most kits are appropriate for kids ages 5 and up.

Cost: $20 and up, prices vary

Online: littletreestudios.net