As winter break offers up plenty of free time for kids, it’s time for parents to get crafty about finding fun (indoor) activities to engage their little ones in. We love the idea of checking out any one of these fab city craft venues!
Among the numerous places to get crafty in Manhattan, the Craft Studio, is certainly one of the best. In addition to its awesome drop-in crafting tables, the studio also offers two-hour MiniCamps to entertain your kids during mid-winter break. 1657 3rd Avenue, craftstudionyc.com
Make Meaning is another a great option for family art projects. Visitors to the Upper East Side and Upper West Side locations can choose between options like jewelry-making and cake-decorating. Though it’s possible to drop in, reservations are recommended. 329 Columbus Avenue; 1501 3rd Avenue, makemeaning.com
Parents looking to enroll their children in creative classes should look to HiArt!, which offers “smart art for smarter kids.” Courses like Opera ‘N Art engage kids from toddlers to tweens with high culture through a curriculum of mixed-media studio time, as well as gallery hops and live performances. 227 West 29th Street, hiartkids.com
The Brooklyn Design Lab in Park Slope has an eclectic selection of classes for children as young as 18 months. Your little ones will feel extra special when their creations—think miniature terrariums and t-shirt designs—are displayed in the exhibition center. 413 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, brooklyndesignlab.com
Future architects will enjoy Brooklyn’s Construction Kids. Trained professionals create a safe environment for children to create anything they can imagine, using tools designed specifically for little hands. 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, constructionkids.com
Though budding fashionistas have many NYC options for style inspiration, project-oriented Pins & Needles aims to have every participant leave their classes with a finished product. Adults and children alike can enjoy courses in sewing, quilting, and embroidery, and can also rent sewing machines to “Sew by the Hour.” 1045 Lexington Avenue, pinsandneedlesnyc.com
The Textile Art Center has Manhattan and Brooklyn locations with afterschool programs in weaving, dying, and sewing, as well as a gallery-based program for fashion-loving teens to learn from artists-in-residence. Classes for adults are also available. 26 West 8th Street; 505 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, textileartscenter.com
Families looking to learn about Indonesian textiles should drop into Hiho Batik. The store offers classes on the Batik dying technique, which is a very forgiving process that makes it appropriate for all ages. In addition, the store has a selection of beautiful clothes for purchase. 184 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, hihobatik.com
Loop of the Loom offers the city’s only hand-weaving studio. Children and adults can enjoy classes in SAORI, a Japanese hand-weaving process that focuses on free expression and discovery. 227 E 87th Street, loopoftheloom.com
The Upper East Side art haven Kids At Art encourages kids ages 2-12 to get messy in their age- and ability-grouped classes. Also awesome: classes for teens and adults and an on-site art gallery to show off your work. 1412 Second Avenue, kidsatartnyc.com
Budding artists as young as 2 can enjoy an array of seasonal workshops and after-school classes at the Little Shop of Crafts. Parents can even dabble in some watercolor while the kids learn the fundamentals of art. 431 East 73rd Street and 711 Amsterdam Avenue, littleshopny.com
Get toasty at Baked in Brooklyn, a studio that offers a variety of pottery classes for kids and adults alike. While its specialty is all things you can pop in a kiln, arts & crafts afternoons (for 3+) and clay classes (6+) make for some mad fun, too. 242 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, baked-in-brooklyn.com
SewHo is a program taught by Conchi Vitale, a fashion and accessories designer, who offers weekly sewing classes for children and teens. Classes have a maximum of 5 students, ages 8 and older. Projects include everything from drawstring bags, to skirts, and tops. 415 West Broadway, 6S, sewinginsoho.com
