Seattle Kids: Birthday Party Ideas with Arts & Crafts

Planning a birthday party for your budding artist? Let one of the many art programs around town do the planning (and the cleanup) for you. One of the best things about art parties (besides the messy fun the kids will be having)?  Art project = instant party favor!  From studios to take-home party boxes to an art/equestrian facility(!), read on for a few of our favorite spots for Seattle & Eastside birthday kids to get their “craft” on:

Planet Happy Kids Toy Store
Seattle/Near U-Village
What kid wouldn’t want their party at the toy store? Planet Happy hosts parties in their showroom based on their Top Ten Craft projects. Kids can choose to paint a birdhouse or a puzzle, make finger puppets or felt sewing,  paper airplanes, building vehicles and much more. The age-range on each craft makes it easy to decide which one is appropriate and we love the fact that they’ll customize a craft party for the younger set (2 and up).

Paint The Town
Seattle/U-Village
For the six and up crowd, you can’t go wrong with a ceramics painting party. The convenient University Village location means that parents can browse the shops and cafes while their party-goers paint ceramics and enjoy cake and refreshments in the party room. Another option is to take the paint supplies “to-go” for a party at your own location.

Roaring Mouse
Seattle/Ravenna
Party project ideas at Roaring Mouse include tie-dying, paper marbling, metal embossing and glass painting. And just like at their classes, the studio’s musical instruments and toys are available during the party, allowing children to explore and work on the art project at their own speed.

Arts Aloft
Seattle/Madrona
This sweet art studio is mom-owned and perfect for kids. The owner meets with you and your child prior to the party to determine the party project and tailor it to whatever your child desires.  They are located right across from Madrona Park if your guests want a little playtime after the party. Arts Aloft also offers Party Boxes…everything you need “to go.”  This way you can have your party at home or any location, but pick up all the neccessary supplies for a fun project (mask-making, birdhouses and more).

Space To Create
Seattle/Ballard
This cool Ballard studio offers parties to the 5 and up set. Projects might include building a marble maze, rock critters and critter houses, making planets, or creating a whole kingdom. Provide your own food and get ready to party.

Thrive
Seattle/Ravenna & Madison Valley
Parties at this popular art school include special art supplies for each child to take home and a gift certificate for a free art class (talk about a party favor)!

Seattle Mosaic Arts
Seattle/Wallingford
Pick up a mosaic kit for your party project. Everything you need for a coaster or trivet kit will be included. The projects need to be taken back to the store for cementing and finishing, then you distribute them to the guests later.  This might be a project for slightly older/more patient kids as “good things come to those wait.”

Smart With Art at Bellevue Art Museum
Eastside/Downtown Bellevue
Get a double-dose of art at Smart With Art – parties include two art projects AND a kid-friendly, docent-led tour of the Bellevue Arts Museum. Children also get to decorate a goody bag for taking home their art projects.

Museo Art Academy
Eastside/Issaquah
For something beyond the usual run of the mill art project, try Museo Art Academy in Issaquah. Project ideas include polymer clay creatures, wire and clay sculptures, and matted watercolors. Bonus:  they provide digital artwork for your online invites, so your invitation will stand out from the crowd!

Paint Away
Eastside/Redmond
At Paint Away in Redmond Town Center, you can pick up the painting supplies and ceramic pieces “to go” for painting at your own location, or make it even easier and have the party in store! Just bring the food and Paint Away handles everything else…including clean-up. They’ve also partnered with convenient nearby vendors (pizza, ice cream cakes etc) to provide parents with discounts on their party food.

Black Horse Art Studio
Eastside/Sammamish
Combining a love for art and horses, this unique studio offers a fantastic art party followed by horse rides for all the party guests. The beautiful equestrian facility/modern art studio is located on the Plateau in a natural setting. Packages include a decorated room, two attendants, a high quality art project-ready for hanging, a horsemanship lesson and horseback rides. Once the kids have finished their project and are done with cake, a special guest (the horse) comes to the Dutch door to greet the kids and they even get to feed him before heading out for rides.  (Watch their party video on the site to get a better idea of how they include the horses!)

Have you been to a great Arts & Crafts party? We want to hear about it! Log in and leave a comment for us.

-Heidi Unruh