If you want to create a strong family bond with your child – with a generous helping of creativity – scratch the traditional coloring book and make some canvas painting masterpieces. Surely you’re well-acquainted with the popular “wine-and-painting” trend? Well, many of these venues also have special days for family fun. It’s the same idea – kids recreate a painting step by step, with instructor guidance – just minus vino. No experience needed! Of course, they’re still primo for date night ideas and girls (or guys) outings. Here are a few to check out. Just be sure to check ahead and register in advance.
Abrakadoodle Art Studio for Kids
- Address: 8016 Sheldon Center Road, Canton
- Phone: 734-738-6287
- Cost: Contact for prices
A lure for both canvas painting and other sorts of artistic endeavors, this Wayne County location offer classes for toddlers through elementary school-aged kids, plus camps, art events and even parties.
The Bee’s Knees Pottery
- Address: 149 E. Main St., Northville
- Phone: 248-347-6718
- Cost: Price depends on size of the canvas: $25/12-by-12 inch, $35/16-by-20 inch
Don’t let the name fool you. This place offers more than pottery! You’ll have step-by-step assistance to create a beautiful canvas painting. This spot hosts parties, classes, camps and special events, too.
Creative Arts Studio
- Address: 114. W. Fourth St., Royal Oak
- Phone; 248-544-2234
- Cost: $25-$65/kids (one-hour classes by appointment)
This Royal Oak DIY studio – known for pottery painting, mosaics, glass fusing, wheel throwing, pallet board painting, spin art and wax hands – also offers canvas painting for kids ages 7-14. You can choose from in-house designs or create your own for an additional fee. Classes are by appointment (at least a week in advance). Adult and party options, too. Bring your fave beverages and snacks.
Paint and Pour
- Address: Locations in Brighton, Dearborn, Romeo and Ypsilanti
- Phone: 734-720-9777
- Cost: $25/painter
Don’t let the name mislead you – the only thing pouring will be paint during the family days. Check online for the days and locations, but there is one most Saturdays at one of the locations. Instructors will walk children through the painting step-by-step, and parents are welcome to purchase a ticket and join in the fun.
Painting Sensations
- Address: 45653 Hayes Road, Shelby Township
- Phone: 586-580-3968
- Cost: $25/painter
Parties, camps and some open-to-the-public classes are offered. Check their calendar for family days and kids open studio painting. Parents must be present at the event even if they are not participating. Come create any masterpiece of your choice with a class that usually lasts two hours.
Pips
- Address: 109 Maple St., Studio B, Wyandotte
- Phone: 734-282-7477
- Cost: $20/painter
This Wyandotte studio is full of energy. Bring kids ages 4-plus for a fun afternoon of themed painting. Adults are welcome to paint too. If you or your child have never painted before, don’t worry; there is no experience needed. Artists guide you step-by-step to bring out your inner artist. Check online for family night painting every month for parents and kids 5 years and older..
Picasso’s Grapevine
- Address: 4215 Clarkston Road, Clarkston
- Phone: 248-297-5982
- Cost: $20/painter
Self-directed painting sessions are available. You and your family can use the supplies and space to creative your own canvas painting masterpieces.
Painting With a Twist
- Address: locations in Ann Arbor, Chesterfield Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington, Ferndale, New Baltimore, Rochester Hills, Roseville, Shelby Township and Wixom
- Phone: 734-662-7928 (Ann Arbor), 586-949-7928 (Chesterfield), 313-558-9740 (Dearborn), 313-960-4793 (Detroit), 248-476-7928 (Farmington), 248-850-7182 (Ferndale), 586-949-7928 (New Baltimore), 248-289-6507 (Rochester Hills), 586-204-5406 (Roseville), 586-247-7928 (Shelby) and 248-773-7086 (Wixom)
- Cost: Call your location for details
Since opening in Ferndale in ’07, Painting With a Twist has made its name pairing wine with 16-by-20 canvas creations. It also hosts “Family Day” and afternoon classes for ages 7-plus at select locations. Keep an eye out for a new Livonia location coming soon (as of summer 2018).
The Butterfly Jar
- Address: 6608 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford
- Phone: 248-360-5922
- Cost: Call for details
At The Butterfly Jar, kids can get the whole experience of creativity with multiple classes and painting levels for any age or expert. Sample the gamut with Mix-It-Up classes, where you can make four pieces of art using clay, mosaic, drawing and painting. Call for details on upcoming Family Fun Nights, too.
The Friendship Factory
- Address: 210 W. University Drive, Rochester
- Phone: 248-890-7277
- Cost: $25
This shop is known for its wide variety of classes, camps and artistic supplies, including canvas painting. The Friendship Factory makes everything from ribbon bracelets to perfectly painted pictures. Check ahead for the latest classes and be sure to make a reservation in advance.
The Lush Brush
- Address: 3406 Fort St., Lincoln Park
- Phone: 313-438-0011
- Cost: starts at $15 for kids
The Lush Brush nixes the libations and offers a kids canvas painting class for two hours every Saturday. Check online for their themes.
The Northville Art House
- Address: 215 W. Cady St., Northville
- Phone: 248-344-0497
- Cost: Contact for prices
This creative space has many kids and teen workshops for ages 9 and up. Check ahead for the latest options that let your child paint and try his or her hand at other artistic endeavors.
This post is updated regularly.
