Add comment

The best art classes for kids in Shanghai

Have your kids flex their creative skills at these regular classes and one-off workshops

By Annabelle Chan Posted: Monday September 17 2018

Even in a city as exciting as Shanghai, it can be difficult to decide on something interesting for you and your child to do together. It's even more difficult to get your kids to sit down for a couple of hours, we know. We've rounded up some of the best art and craft classes in the city, where everyone can flex their creative skills. From regular classes to one-day workshops, there is something to fit every schedule. Plus, they'll get to bring home something cool and perhaps even discover a hidden talent.

IdleBeats Print Club

The brainchild of artist duo Nini Sum and Gregor Koerting, Idlebeats is China's first independent screen printing club. One that should be at the top of your list for a fun day of arts and crafts, Idlebeats Print Club offers three-hour workshops (for both kids and adults), during which learners design patterns combining unusual shapes, colours and elements to later print screen. You can also have your masterpieces printed on bags, t-shirts and towels.

Price 380RMB (beginner classes); 480RMB (advanced classes).

Register idlebeats.com; Wechat ID 'idlebeats'.

115 Pingwu Lu

Oogie Art

One for younger learners and teens only, Oogie Art has established itself as one of the most successful art portfolio schools in the world by helping students produce scholarship-winning portfolios and gain entrance to top art schools. It offers individualised curriculums tailored to each student and expert guidance to help students express their creativity and develop their skills. College students can even earn college credits through Oogie Art courses. Programmes are targeted at students aged ten to 18.

Price 900-1200RMB per three-hour session.

Register oogieart.com; 6153 2686.

546 Changning Lu

The Pottery Workshop Shanghai

The Pottery Workshop offers a variety of classes for all ages on pottery and sculpture making. Children are encouraged to channel their inner Michelangelo and sculpt their own figurines or masks. There are also adult classes that go through the basics of hand building functional pottery as well as parent-and-kid sessions.

Price Classes start from 200RMB.

Register thepotteryworkshop.cn; 6445 0902.

Lane 180 Shaanxi Nan Lu

Inkmoon Workshop

Inkmoon prides itself in being 'a fun place for Chinese culture lovers all over the world' and hopes to enable people from different cultural backgrounds to learn about Chinese culture in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Inkmoon organises introductory Chinese calligraphy and painting workshops, specially designed for first-timers. The two-hour workshop (in English) is usually small, with a maximum of eight people per session. Inkmoon's workshops are suitable for both adults and children (age seven and up), making it a great place for the whole family to learn about and experience Chinese culture.

Price 250RMB per class.

Register inkmoonworkshop.com.

182 Fumin Lu

Colorjam Shanghai

Color Jam is a kids-only art studio (sorry, parents) that offers art classes for ages two and up ranging from multimedia art and pencil sketching to art fundamentals. Children are taught a variety of techniques using different materials to develop their creative skills. Art history classes are also available to help young learners better appreciate and understand art.

Price Classes start from 180RMB.

Register Wechat ID 'colorjam'; colorjam@colorjam88.com.

55 Wukang Lu

Kids Museum of Glass

Located within Shanghai Museum of Glass, The Kid's Museum of Glass is an interactive exhibition designed to teach four to ten year olds about glass in a fun and playful way. Calling itself 'the coolest place to get smart', the educational space is a 'glass city' with lots of glass-themed installations. Visitors inspired by the exhibition can join themed workshops to create their own glass pieces - ranging from glass blowing to sand blasting - as well as lab sessions where children can conduct science experiments.

Price call for details.

Register 6618 1970 8000; shmog.org.

685 Changjiang Xi Lu

Summer House

Arguably geared towards older children, Summer House is a popular spot for craft workshops. The cosy space (open by appointment only) is set in a hotel and boasts a unique offering of classes including flower preservation, string art and paper-cutting.

Price Classes start from 98RMB.

Register 176 2184 2788.

618 Hankou Lu

Neyo Cat DIY

Best known for its DIY phone accessories workshop, this studio specialises in using pin dou (a type of small bead used to create a 'pixelated image' look) in its crafts. Sort of like piecing together a puzzle, participants piece together beads and arrange them to form an image. Neyo Cat also holds workshops on sweet decorating and how to make music boxes.

Price Classes start from 36RMB.

Register 186 1658 9046.

1851 Sichuan Bei Lu

Choosing a new school? Here's how to make the most out of campus visits

Dig in beyond the websites and brochures and ask the hard questions

Posted: 11:29 am, 13 July 2018

Shanghai's best cooking classes

Don your apron, whip out your whisk and give yourself a chance in the kitchen

Posted: 5:03 pm, 04 April 2012