Drop-In Arts and Crafts: Great Winter Activities for New Jersey Kids

Looking for a fun activity for a cold winter day? New Jersey has a variety of studios that offer make-and-take crafts for your little Picasso. Some are even drop-in spots, so spontaneous potters, glassmakers, and jewelers, take notice! However, patience is required as most art is not ‘taken” the day it’s made and pick up times vary according to studio. Remember, the best parts of make-and-take---no mess at home and a beautiful one-of-a-kind artifact made by your one-of-a-kind kid.

Color Me Mine, Bernardsville and Summit locations

Color Me Mine is a walk in pottery studio with two locations, Bernardsville and Summit. Both locations offer paint it yourself projects. Costs include a studio fee of $6-9 (depending on age) plus the cost of the item (varies). Items are available for pick up 7 days after being painted. What is nice about Color Me Mine is that each location offers different classes and events. In Summit, children as young as 4 can join “Paint Me a Story” ($18), which incorporates storytelling and art. Mosaic Mondays offer a lesson on mosaics and the opportunity to make one. In Bernardsville, Friday nights are PJ and Pizza night---free studio fees for wearing pajamas, and Sundays are Family Days, where the whole family can paint at a reduced rate. Check the websites for more activities and specials. Bernardsville (908) 953-9000, Summit (908) 598-0248.

Hot Sand (Asbury Park)

Hot Sand offers a few different kinds of make your own glass project. Children 9 years and older can create a unique blown glass piece, such as an ornament, heart sculpture (perfect for Valentine’s Day), or drinking glass. Prices start at $20; costs rise if additional colors are chosen. Younger artists can choose to create a “quick cast” or a “sun tile”. The quick cast is an imprint of an item (hand, shell, etc.) into which hot glass is poured. Costs begin at $20. A sun tile is an arrangement of colored glass into a clear square e of glass which is heated and fuses together. These range in size, and can cost up to $30. All pieces require pick up at a later date depending on the medium. Hot Sand will arrange shipping if you are not staying in town. (732) 927-5475

Glassworks Studio (Morristown)

Glassworks is a glass design studio in which budding artists can create a fused glass item from glass pieces and fragments. Prices begin at $15; however, many of the glass fragments are priced in an a la carte fashion, so costs vary. Glassworks also offers classes that begin at $25. Popular with future princesses are the Princess Tiara, Glass Slipper, and Magic Wand classes, which are $25 each. Also offered are classes such as “Heart on a String” and “Create a Handprint” for $30 and $35, respectively. (973) 656-0800

Just Bead Yourself (Westfield)

Just Bead Yourself is a walk-in jewelry studio. Children of all ages can participate in creating necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Newly offered are beaded hair extensions and hair tinsel. The workshop “Reading and Beading” ($15), is appropriate for 3-6 year olds and blends a story with a jewelry project. “Afternoon Tea with my Doll and Me” is for girls from 3-12…girls make a necklace for themselves and one for their favorite doll. Registration is required for workshops. Check the website for additional workshops, classes, and online discounts. (908) 232-3411

Art Attack (Flemington)

Art Attack is another walk-in pottery painting studio…this one, however, has no studio fees! Paint any piece starting as low as $5. Art Attack also provides an opportunity to experience glass fusing…using fragments of glass to create frames, platters, etc. Check out the website for the latest classes, special events, and contests for Art Attack patrons! (908) 284-0587