The Children's Art Studio: Where Kids Can Get as Messy as They Want!

I really love doing arts and crafts with kids, especially the open-ended kind where the key is creativity, not skill. Abby, who is almost 6, and Hayden, who is almost 2, are used to me doing art with them at home. Still, I was excited to discover the Children's Art Studio, in Villa Park.

The Children's Art Studio offers art classes for kids, but we've never taken an actual class there. The girls and I frequent the Open Studio hours, and on most Wednesday mornings Hayden and I go to the "Wee Wednesday" drop-in class for toddlers.

Wee Wednesday is my favorite! Many people think that toddlers cannot do art. During Wee Wednesdays, the Children's Art Studio proves those people wrong. Each week toddlers can complete several art projects... some open-ended, and some where they need to try to follow simple directions. For instance, in a recent week, Hayden did a project where she used foam stickers to put together Elmo's face, then used glitter and fabric paint to decorate a small canvas bag, and then did some finger painting at another table. There are also always several easels set up with different kid-friendly mediums. There are washable paints with chubby paint brushes, chubby markers, special "creamy crayons", etc. There is a chalkboard on the wall, where toddlers can scribble. But Hayden's very favorite part of the Children's Art Studio are the two sensory boxes. They are always filled with different sensory materials, and Hayden and the other toddlers love to dig into them!

Open Studios are very similar to Wee Wednesdays... the same sensory boxes, art easels, and projects are set up... but the projects are geared more towards older children. Some of them, smaller kids can still try their hands at. But there are always a few that are set aside just for older kids. (Abby, at 5 ½, qualifies as an older kid. The last time we were there, she got to create a Marti Gras mask, and she felt very special because her baby sister didn't get to do it!)I really appreciate having a place like the Children's Art Studio in the community. Even though I do a lot of art at home, I think it is awesome that the kids can also get out of the house and do new and different art projects in a place that is so kid-friendly! We will definitely continue going there on a regular basis!