Got a crafty kid or just looking for something fun to do on the weekends that doesn’t involve screen time? If so, you have plenty of options to choose from in and around Edmonton.

The City of Edmonton’s Arts, Crafts & Cooking Courses

Did you know The City of Edmonton has kid’s courses? What a nice surprise! Pottery, cooking, music and animation classes are just some of the courses held at various times throughout the year. Some of the classes are family-based, others are for specific age ranges and since they run so often and have such a variety, you and your family can sample a wide range of different hobbies. Visit the City of Edmonton website to learn more.

Crock A Doodle

Just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Edmonton (20 minutes from the west end) is Crock A Doodle, in the suburb of Spruce Grove. Here the concept of creativity and fun is strongly promoted and children are encouraged to paint their pottery any way they choose – there is no need to “colour inside the lines.” A huge range of products includes piggy banks, cups and saucers, ornaments, frames and pet dishes. A variety of paints and finishes add shine, texture and a whole lot of fun. In addition to being a great place to spend weekend hours, Crock A Doodle hosts themed event nights and also hosts birthday parties. Visit Crock A Doodle’s idea gallery to see how you can have fun painting pottery.

Alberta Art Gallery’s Weekend Art Class

Alberta Art Gallery hosts weekend sessions for children. For example, the session II course that runs from March 11 – April 22 for 3-5 year olds incorporates paint, ink, paper and techniques such as photography and printmaking to create a modern visual journal. A previously-held course for 6-8 year olds has just wrapped up and it involved making 3D artwork from everyday materials. There are courses for 9-11 year olds too, such as “art survival” where the students have to create art to overcome game challenges. There is also digital technology workshops for young animators. Affordable Saturday drop in classes are also available for 6-12 year olds. Which class is right for your child? Learn more at www.youraga.ca/education.

Michaels

As if the giant craft retailers wasn’t already the favourite destination of creative Edmonton families, Michaels also offers $2, 30 minute drop-in kids’ classes on Saturday mornings. Classes run every half hour from 10 am to 11:30 am and while parents have to stay in the store when they drop off their child (ages 3 and up), they don’t have to remain the craft room. That means your child can make a flower canvas, fairy house, watercolour frame or diorama while mom and dad shop the store. Crafts change weekly so check out canada.michaels.com, or your nearest Michaels store to learn more.

These are just some of the many ways your children can combine fun, education and creativity. Don’t forget about other organizations like Clay for Kids where hosts bring portable pottery wheels to the location of your choice (great for groups like birthday parties) or the many other venues, like Fort Edmonton Park or public libraries, that often host pop up makerspaces and craft events. There is more to life than video games and TV, so make a pledge this weekend to get out and be crafty.

Updated 1/25/21.