Where Kids Can Make Gifts in KC
‘Tis better to give than receive. Homemade gifts from the heart are always the most loved by grandparents, aunts, uncles and teachers. This year, celebrate friends and family at a local venue where children create one-of-a-kind gifts for family, friends and teachers. Best of all, your children will enjoy giving their own creations to those they love!
Make a Masterpiece!
Create family keepsakes at Ceramics Coffeehouse @ Paint, Glaze and Fire (located at the south end of the Metcalf 127 Shopping Center, 913.661.CLAY, PaintGlazeAndFire.net). This is a paint-your-own pottery shop where children can paint their own ceramic masterpieces. They'll be able to choose anything from piggy banks to plates, mugs to picture frames and many holiday pieces, as well. Find many more paint-your-own pottery studios in KC on pg. ##.
Creativity and originality abound at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which offers a series of classes for children to make handmade original gifts this holiday season. Register online for children’s classes at Nelson-Atkins.org.
HodgePodge Art Workshop (HodgePodgeWorkshop.com) offers workshops in batik, candle-making, soap-making, mosaic and ceramics. Best of all, many of their classes are offered for all ages, so parents and children can participate together. They also offer Santa's Lil' Craft Workshops with holiday gift-making in mind!
Budding artists will enjoy honing their skills at ARTichokes (artichokeskc.com), where painting classes are offered for all ages, including classes to make gifts.
Scrapbooking is all the rage with moms, but teens can get in on the act too! Grandparents would love a scrapbook of favorite memories, a cute ornament or card. Archiver's (ArchiversOnline.com) offers classes in scrapbooking, stamping and card making, and they occasionally offer free projects too!
For fun cards, bows and wrapping accessories, take your children to Kaleidoscope (HallmarkKaleidoscope.com), Kansas City's own FREE art center for children. Operated by Hallmark, Kaleidoscope overflows with materials to make cards, crafts and fun holiday projects. Best of all, they offer FREE walk-in sessions for all ages. Simply check Kaleidoscope's calendar for details.
Crafty Creations!
From sewing to painting, homemade ornaments to crochet, local arts and craft stores offer classes for all ages and all skill levels! Michael's Arts & Crafts Stores (Michaels.com) offer special events in November and December to make a variety of holiday projects perfect for teacher gifts, grandparents and friends. Simply visit www.michaels.com for a current schedule. JoAnn offers simple classes and more complex sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet. Visit JoAnn.com for info. In addition, both stores offer free demos on weekends for projects you can make at home.
You can also sign up for free classes through the Mid-Continent Public Libraries (MyMCPL.org), where several local branches offer workshops throughout the year for children to make cards and gifts for friends and family.
Culinary Delights!
Does your child dream of becoming the next Emeril or Rachael Ray? Are you a bit hesitant to turn kids loose in your kitchen? Have no fear! Dream Dinners (119th & Metcalf, 913.491.6733, DreamDinners.com) comes to the rescue. This holiday season, plan a parent-child date night to make freezer meals for your friends and family.
Are you the mom who prefers store-bought cookies to baking your own at home? Your child can master the art of baking and decorating gingerbread cookies at Lee's Summit's A Thyme for Everything. Register in advance at 816.554.3755 or AThymeForEverything.com.
Or consider a class at the Culinary Center of Kansas City (KCCulinary.com), where children (and adults) can learn kitchen skills ranging from the most basic baking to gourmet cuisine. Then, let your children create tasty delights for their loved ones at home.
Beginning Builders!
Twice a month, kids can participate in the Lowe’s Build and Grow (LowesBuildAndGrow.com) projects on Saturdays 10:00-Noon. Kids complete a wooden project (kits provided) and earn a red apron and patch. Or, on the first Saturday of each month, 9:00-Noon, try the Home Depot Kids’ Workshops (HomeDepot.com) for children ages 5-12, where children build a take-home project and receive an orange apron and an achievement pin. Both FREE programs provide the children with a kit to create their own project. Many of the projects make great gifts for grandparents, siblings and teachers. Children learn basic carpentry skills and leave with a sense of achievement and a completed project.
Bonus Tip: Looking for the perfect gift for your child? Consider a gift certificate for a class at one of the venues in this guide! They'll love learning something new.