Art and craft classes are a brilliant way for children to explore their creative talents, take time away from screens, and get messy ― outside of your home! They also allow little ones to build confidence and learn fine motor skills, whilst contributing to positive well-being and much more. So, I’ve put together this list of Birmingham’s best art and craft classes for children.
Included are sessions suitable for ages 0 – 18. From museum workshops to after-school clubs, there’s something for everyone. Take your pick!
1. Art Club – Friction Arts
Art Club is a series of FREE art workshops for children aged 8 upwards. It is led and organised by practising artist Nita Newman, as well as a range of other contemporary Birmingham artists. Children are encouraged to experiment with lots of different art forms, including photography, film, printmaking and more. It is organised by Friction Arts and there are 2 sessions each Saturday. Children are also given the opportunity to exhibit their work in various spaces around Birmingham. It’s very popular and usually there’s a waiting list, so you’ll need to call the team to ask about availability.
Where: The Edge, Birmingham
Ages: 8 upwards
Website: www.frictionarts.com/project/art-club/
2. The Creation Station
The Creation Station offers arts and crafts classes for children of all ages, including toddlers. Baby Discover and Tiny Treasures offer weekly sessions for babies and pre-schoolers with creative play activities. There are family fun workshops and after school clubs for KS1 and KS2. You can also book an arts and crafts birthday party for your child, based around their particular interests.
Where: Locations across Birmingham, from city centre to Harborne
Ages: 0 – 16
Website: www.thecreationstation.co.uk/classes
3. Arty Splats
Arty Splats is a baby and pre-school art class that which offers a range of art, craft and messy play activities. The Arty Splats educational programme is written in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers with an opportunity to work towards a range of Early Learning Goals. Each session is unique and planned around various themes, such as shape, pattern or texture, which usually last for 5-6 weeks.
Where: Solihull Borough
Ages: 6 months – 5 years
Website: www.artysplats.co.uk/
4. MAC
MAC have a large number of art and craft classes for children of all ages. Most are run as courses, which you must sign up for, from 4 weeks to several months long. For pre-schoolers courses include Baby Creative Play, Toddler Pottery, Nature Tots and Toddler Art. Then there’s classes such as Art Explorers for primary school children and Animation in Action for 11-18 year olds. Prices are pretty reasonable to, as the sessions are led by practising artists and specialist tutors.
Where: Cannon Hill Park
Ages: 0 – 18
Website: macbirmingham.co.uk
5. Toni’s Tots Drama
Toni’s Tots Drama is run by a professional actress, who offers a range of drama, art and storytelling workshops for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The sessions are highly energetic and full of imaginative play, music, movement, arts and crafts. Each week is based around a different story with the opportunity to make noise, sing, and move freely and creatively. For the more reserved children there are quieter times where they can enjoy making arts and crafts for use in the story.
Where: South Birmingham
Ages: 18 months – 5 years
Website: tonistotsdrama.co.uk/
6. Independent Art School
The Independent Art School is best if you’re looking for private art tuition. Carefully selected tutors – made up of practising artists and personal art tutors – can offer one-to-one sessions for 11 – 16 year olds.
Where: The Custard Factory, Digbeth
Ages: 11 – 16
Website: theindependentartschool.com/birmingham/art-tuition-for-11-16-year-olds/
7. Barber Institute of Fine Arts
The Barber has a whole range of regular art workshops for children, from family events, including Creative Sunday Workshops and Little Artists to Barber Art School. Little Artists is perfect for 3 – 5 year olds. During this monthly morning session you will join Anna the Art Explorer for a different discovery journey around the galleries. Searching for clues, little ones act out the stories behind the paintings and enter the Art Lab to explore colour, shapes and textures and create a mini masterpiece.
Creative Sundays caters for children aged 4 – 8 years or 8 – 12 years. Barber Art School is for older ones, aged 13 – 15. These monthly twilight sessions allow young people to be inspired by amazing artworks, artists and try out new ideas. They also run half-term and holiday activities, just keep an eye out on their website.
Where: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston
Ages: 3 – 15 years
Website: barber.org.uk/events/
8. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
BMAG Babies is a FREE early years stay and play session in one of the museum’s galleries. Creative, interactive and sensory play is filled with colours, textures and sounds. You can stay for as long as you like. This happens once a month on Wednesdays. Designed for babies and toddlers, its suitable for little ones aged 6 months to 3 years.
Under the ‘What’s On’ tab you can search for ‘Activity’ for ‘Families’. Here you will also find free activities in the museum during half-term and holidays.
Where: Birmingham city centre
Ages: 6 months upwards
Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on
9. Lapworth Museum
Does your child love dinosaurs? Yes? Then, this is the museum for you! It’s filled with rocks and fossils, volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs. The lovely Anna Chrystal leads Family Fun workshops, which are usually FREE. These include a range of events, from a Terrifying torch lit tour by night to drop-in arts and crafts activities.
Where: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston
Ages: All ages welcome; I recommend checking each workshop for suitability
Website: www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/events/index.aspx
10. Ikon Gallery
Ikon is a family-friendly gallery offering a range of FREE activities aimed at families and young visitors.
Family Saturdays are on the first Saturday of every month, 12–4pm. Open to all ages, including adults, these sessions of hands-on creative activity engage, challenge and inspire. No need to book, just drop in at any time.
The Learning team also runs family workshops during school holidays. These are often aimed at specific age groups with a visiting artist. You’ll need to check their What’s On for details of forthcoming events.
Ikon Youth Programm (IYP) is for young people who share an interest in visual art. Meeting regularly at Ikon Gallery participants aged 16–21 years old are encouraged to devise creative projects, establish networks with other youth groups and share their thoughts and opinions about a range of topics.
Where: Brindley Place, Birmingham city centre
Ages: All ages
Website: www.ikon-gallery.org/learning/families/
11. Thinktank Science Museum
Thinktank is Birmingham’s science museum. From Spooky Science sessions to lego-building workshops, there’s a range of family-friendly fun activities. During half-terms and holidays there are usually creative activities every day, FREE with the ticket price. Check out what’s coming up on their website.
Where: Millennium Point, Birmingham city centre
Ages: Check each event for suitability
Website: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/whats-on
12. Pen Museum
The Pen Museum offers a range of one-off calligraphy workshops, from 3 hour sessions to full day events. During your workshop you will learn calligraphy, design layouts and create your own script. Nib holders, nibs, paper, various inks, practice lines and paper/ card to complete cards will all be provided. The sessions are open to adults and young people.
Where: Jewellery Quarter
Ages: 12 upwards
Website: penmuseum.org.uk/events/
13. RBSA Gallery
The RBSA Gallery run family friendly art workshops on an ad hoc basis. They are usually suitable for children aged 6 to 12 and take place during half-terms or holidays. Led by artists, in the gallery space, children are encouraged to take inspiration from the art on display around them.
Where: Jewellery Quarter
Ages: 6 – 12
Website: rbsa.org.uk/
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