If outdoor winter activities are becoming a bit too frigid and you’ve exhausted the number of times you can keep your child entertained with movie nights and activities at home, we’ve got you covered.
These Chicagoland DIY studios offer lessons and workshops that will keep your kiddo entertained for hours — plus they’ll provide the supplies and handle the clean up for you! Get out of the house and let your creativity run wild with these fun DIY options.
Rug Tufting
Rug tufting is a niche craft that has exploded in popularity on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram. Using a tufting gun, crafters create rows of stitches with yarn to make their own unique rug. Currently, there are only two rug tufting studios in Illinois, both of which are in Chicagoland. This activity is best suited for older kids who can color in the lines and support the weight of the yarn gun.
Freestyle Ceramics
- Address: 2927 S. Archer Ave., Chicago
As the name suggests, this studio also offers a paint-your-own pottery experience, but the real fun is located in the rug tufting workshop in the back of the studio.
Tuft A Rug
- Address: 2368 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora
Located inside Fox Valley Mall, this rug tufting studio rents out its tufting stations and provides all the materials you’ll need to begin crafting your very own rug.
Ceramics
From glazing pre-made pottery to learning handbuilding techniques or throwing on the wheel, your kiddo will love creating their own ceramic masterpieces at these studios.
Thrown Elements Pottery
This pottery studio offers classes for all ages, including a four-week Clay Camp for kids and Muddy Buddies, a story time, clay creative, painting and reading session all thrown into one. Stop by to try it out, then consider booking some open studio time or signing up for a class if your little artist shows interest in pottery.
Color Me Mine
- Locations in Burr Ridge, Crystal Lake, Geneva, Glenview, Naperville and Schaumburg
Choose your favorite ceramic piece out of the hundreds of options offered at Color Me Mine — there’s mugs, candle holders, dishes and even sculptures of all kinds of animals, dragons, mermaids and more! Then, pick out your paint colors and create a truly unique art piece. Check the studio’s calendar for Kids Night Out, Color Me Kids Camp and other special events.
Other Workshops
The Little Bits Workshop
This cozy DIY maker space for kids offers different workshops every day of the week. There are “crafternoon” workshops that range in topic from drawing and painting to book binding, sewing and knitting; open studio opportunities for independent kiddos who want to work at self-guided workshops; and specialized workshops in sewing and crafting.
Home Depot Workshops
Don’t feel like going far from home? Did you know that your local Home Depot offers DIY workshops for kids and adults? Visit its website to see which kids events your local store is hosting, or order a Kids Workshop Kit of the Month for DIY activities you can do at home.
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