
Arts and Craft Studios Offering Classes and Take-Away Art Kits for LI Kids
Lucky enough to have a potential Picasso on your hands? Perhaps a little Salvador Dalí in the making? There are few things quite as inspiring as discovering your child’s artistic soul, and thanks to these local arts and crafts studios, the current climate doesn't have to stifle creativity.
You can cultivate your child's artistic vision on Long Island at one of these art spots that offer drop-in classes, private play dates, virtual classes, and more creative fun. Long-term commitments are often unnecessary, so kids can pop in for arts and crafts fun and get those creative juices flowing, all while maintaining a safe distance from others. We've also included a handful of locations offering take-away art kits to enjoy at home.
Check out our Guide to Classes and Enrichment Opportunities for Long Island kids for more fun options.
Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at a venue that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do.
Call for an in-person session or to pick up a take-home kit at Cool Crafts.
Arts & Crafts Studios in Nassau County
Cool Crafts – Wantagh
3443 Merrick Road
Kids can create plaster crafts, combination banks, cork boards, piggy banks, mini-lockers, stuff-a-teddy, and more at Cool Crafts. For $13.80, it offers a take-home kit, which includes a plaster piece, apron, paint, and a paintbrush. It even offers FREE delivery to homes in Nassau and Western Suffolk counties. If you prefer to craft in-studio, note that walk-ins now require an appointment.
Artrageous – Rockville Centre
5 North Village Avenue
Drop into Artrageous and design a piece of pottery. Each item acts as a blank canvas, and you can choose your colors and embellishments, then get to work on your masterpiece. Items take up to two weeks to be glazed before they are ready for pickup. If you're not comfortable having the kids in the studio, Artrageous offers different take-home kits, including mosaics, glass painting, and even fired pottery.
As You Wish – Merrick
59 Merrick Avenue
This party place offers drop-off and mommy-and-me canvas painting sessions. It has take-home painting kits for kids featuring fictional characters and landscapes. Kits include everything needed to create a masterpiece. FREE delivery is available within a reasonable distance of the studio, or you can pick up your kit in person.
RELATED: 30 Easy Paper Crafts For Kids For an Arty Day at Home
Inspire your little ones with creativity at Key to My Art.
Arts & Crafts Studios in Suffolk County
Key to My Art – Amityville
10 West Oak Street
Before the pandemic, Key to My Art hosted character-themed, drop-off paint nights for kids. Now, the excitement can be experienced right from home. Certified art teachers guide children through different character drawings and paintings, from Star Wars to Super Mario Brothers. It also offers baby-and-mom art classes and hosts camps and birthday parties. It is also offering socially distanced, in-studio art classes.
Bubble – Babylon
15 East Main Street
Pop into the Craft Bar to see what sparks your imagination. Moms can create scented soap while little ones craft a beaded bracelet. Older kids can even mold a candle. The staff inspires, assists, and cleans up. It also offers weekly classes, a shopping boutique, holiday camps, workshops, mom's night out, and a private party space. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.
Arts & Crafts Studios on the East End
East End School of the Arts – Riverhead
141 East Main Street
Kids can tap into their creative spirit through painting, photography, music, and more at this 45-year-old fine arts nonprofit. Some classes offered this winter include comic illustration, oil painting, and multimedia art. Register for a multi-class session or pay per class.
RELATED: Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects for Creative At-Home Fun
Take a pre-recorded virtual class/tutorial after you pick up your art kit at Pinot's Palette.
Local Arts & Crafts Studios Offering Virtual Programming
Pinot's Palette
Pinot's Palette offers pre-recorded virtual classes. From Olaf to tropical beaches, there are plenty of paintings to choose from. Just pick a painting, and a link to the tutorial video is provided. All materials are included in the cost but require pickup from Pinot's Palette's East Meadow or Bay Shore locations.
Paint Nite & Plant Nite
What makes Paint Nite unique is its live virtual events. Similar to its in-person events—currently on hold—each painting session caters to a different age group, from kids to teens and adults-only. Once you've registered, you'll receive a list of materials needed for the project. For Plant Nite, where you make terrariums with air plants, rocks, and decorative pieces, materials are shipped directly to your door before the event.
Public Library
Many public libraries, such as the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library, offer takeaway craft kits correlating with a theme or book. Advance registration is required for curbside craft pickup. In addition to the craft, there is a YouTube link provided for a story read-aloud and craft instructions. Check your local library branch to see its offerings.
Michael's
While Michael's is no longer offering in-person classes, it has a slew of online classes and tutorials on its YouTube channel. It also has a Facebook live every Wednesday at 1pm. Be sure to pick up your materials ahead of time so kids can follow along.
Photos courtesy of the venues
This post was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated.