Art Classes for Boston Kids

Kids as young as 3 can explore explore painting. Photo courtesy Beehive Art Studio
Kids as young as 3 can explore explore painting. Photo courtesy Beehive Art Studio
6/6/21 - By Tara D

Kids are naturally creative, so why not give them an outlet? Boston families have lots of options for kids art classes in the area, from a chance to study masters of painting at the Museum of Fine Arts to learning pottery in Somerville and fusing glass in Roxbury. If your little artist loves to doodle, try out a drawing class or see what masterpiece they can create at a kids painting class. For little Picassos, toddler classes offer ways to explore different mediums and get messy, while the older kids can learn techniques for painting and drawing or try out 3-D art classes, like woodworking and sewing. 

Explore our guide to the Best Kids' Classes and Activities in the Boston Area for even more kids programs, enrichment classes, and kids activities. 

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Best Art Classes for Kids in Boston

1. Museum of Fine Arts — Fenway 

Kid Studio Art Classes are for ages 5-11 (and are broken down into smaller age groups). Classes meet once each week on Saturday or Sunday for 10-week sessions during the fall, winter, and spring. Students explore the museum’s galleries and respond to what they have seen through drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, printmaking projects, and more. 

2. Hip Kids — Dorchester 

Young artists ages 6-10 can learn about fine art and famous artists while exploring different mediums like watercolors, oil paints, and clay to create work in both 2-D and 3-D. In the Artology class, students will create a new piece each week to build their portfolio for an art show.

3. Brush and Easel — Sudbury

Painting and drawing classes at this studio teach the fundamentals in a fun and engaging way. Younger artists learn about shapes and colors while art classes get more advanced for older students, exploring mediums like charcoal and watercolors. Brush and Easel also hosts paint nights and private parties in-person and virtually. 


The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts is a full-service art school. Photo courtesy of Bostonexplorers.org

4. The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts — Jamaica Plain

At the Eliot School, there is something for every interest – drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, woodworking, knitting, sewing, glass fusing – even map art. The school is still working to fully reopen, but limited classes as well as private lessons are available. 

5. Abrakadoodle — Newton, Brookline, Wellesely, Weston, Wayland 

Kids use their imaginations while using a wide variety of materials, such as paints, wire, clays, and more.  During class, they explore artists, techniques, and world cultures. The studio offers toddler classes (20 months - 3 years old), preschool classes (ages 3-5), and elementary school art classes (ages 6 and up). During summer break and holidays, Abrakadoodle also offers art camps. Classes are currently being held virtually. 

6. New Art Center — Newton 

The New Art Center offers art classes for kids ages 3-5, and art classes and vacation programming for children grades kindergarten to 5th grade. Taught by professional artists, kids explore a variety of techniques to learn the building blocks of art. Classes are offered in ceramics, painting, drawing, and more. Live virtual art class options are available.

Top Toddler Art Classes for Boston Families  


Drop-in art classes offer a chance for kids to get creative without weekly commitments. Photo courtesy of Minni Space

7. Minni — South End

At this studio, kids ages 18 months - 10 years old have a variety of art classes taught by real artists to choose from. The youngest of artists can try painting or printing while older kids can try out Creative Design, Minni Inventors, and more. This studio also offers drop-in hours. 

8. Plein-Air Art Academy — Brighton 

These art classes that span multiple weeks take the creativity outside to explore the world of art in the fresh air. The Little Mondrians class for kids ages 4-6 teaches art with stories, free draw, and playing with different mediums. Older kids in the Growing Matisses class take on bigger projects using clay, watercolor, and tempera paint.

9. Muckykids Art Studio — Cambridge 

Muckykids has semester-long classes for kids starting at age 3 and up. Younger artists can explore different mediums at a parent and me art class, while older artists can take creative classes like Thread, Stitch, and Weave or Fiber and Wood where kids make things like little beds for stuffies. Parents are also always welcome to stop in with their kids during drop-in studio hours.

10. Brookline Arts Center — Brookline

Brookline Arts Center has a wide variety of classes for every age, ranging from tots sensory classes for 18-month-olds to kinetic sculptures for adults. Artists young and not-so-young can create and explore pottery, drawing, puppetry, picture books, and more at this community arts center.

11. Beehive Art — Wayland 

Beehive's art classes teach process and technique, but also focus very much on individual creative expression. Kids as young as 3 can start their journey into the art world with their Mini Makers class, while older kids can explore mixed media, technique, and even embroidery. 

Sewing, Pottery, and Other Art Classes for Boston Kids 


Kids can learn to throw in pottery classes located in Somerville. Clay classes for kids. Photo courtesy of Mud Flat Studio

12. Mud Flat Pottery — Somerville 

If your little ones want to graduate from simply painting premade pottery to actually creating the pottery, this is the studio for you. Kids ages 5 and up can take a hand throw class to mold, create, and fire their own creations. Kids ages 8 and up can learn the basics of throwing on the potter's wheel to create cups, bowls, and more. 


Try out the stitch lounge or Fiber Crafts Camp in Cambridge. Photo courtesy of Gather Here

13. Gather Here — Cambridge 

While this stitch lounge is definitely geared toward adults, they also offer kids sewing classes and camps during vacations and summer for children ages 9 and up. Classes introduce kids to sewing by hand and use the sewing machine to create all sorts of projects, like backpacks and clothes. 

14. Stitch House — Dorchester 

At the Stitch House, kids ages 10-13 can learn the basics of knitting, crocheting, or sewing and complete a finished project. Once they've completed a class, they'll have the skills and tools to keep stitching and make presents for you (or, more likely, their friends). 

15. Diablo Glass School — Roxbury 

At Diablo Glass School, kids can learn how to fuse glass scraps and make the coolest friendship bracelets and necklaces ever. The workshops are usually on1-2 days, and are open to kids ages 8-12. Younger kids can take the classes if they have an adult with them, and Diablo also offers teen classes and homeschool art classes.

16. The Painting Place — Wellesley 

At this drop-in studio you can paint pottery, plaster, and canvas. Kids can also make slime here, so you can keep the mess out of your kitchen! During holiday vacations and summer, The Painting Place offers camps for artists, too. Drop-in sessions are offered inside and outside and reservations are recommended. 

17. Newton Sewing Studio — Newton

At this sewing studio they use a project-based teaching method, the students learn by doing, building important skills while actually creating something unique to take home. Classes are offered for beginners up to experts, for kids ages 6 and up during the weekdays. On weekends, the whole family can visit together at an all-ages class. 

18. Board and Brush — Norwell

Paint, distress, and create a work of art out of wood at this DIY studio. While many classes are for adults, they frequently offer children's workshops with simpler projects like signs and fairy gardens perfect for little hands. You can also book your own private sessions or grab kits to take home and do on your own time. 

 

 

 

 

 

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