Activities, Camps and After School Classes Near Me

Journey to a place where cooking and creativity coalesce to celebrate cultures from around the world. Each day, kids will explore global cuisines, discover new foods, and experiment with enticing ingredients, creating vibrant dishes inspired by diverse traditions. Along the way, they’ll discover how food and creativity expand our understanding of the world, fostering connection, appreciation, and unity through the shared stories and flavors that bring us together. Your young chef will: -Learn baking and cooking techniques from different cultures and prepare authentic dishes using traditional ingredients -Create food-inspired art projects that celebrate global traditions and cultural expressions -Cultivate curiosity for new foods by exploring international herbs, spices, and flavors -Build cultural awareness and appreciation through stories, traditions, and the shared experience of preparing and enjoying meals together Daily Schedule: 9:00-9:30 AM: Arrivals and Activity Centers ‍9:30-9:50 AM: Welcome Circle and Stretching ‍9:50-11:00 AM: Cook Brunch ‍11:00-11:30 AM: Eat, Cleanup, and Quiet Time ‍11:30-12:45 PM: Cook Lunch and STEAM Activity ‍12:45-1:15 PM: Eat, Cleanup, and Quiet Time ‍1:15-2:15 PM: Outdoor Play ‍2:15-2:40 PM: Snack and Cleanup ‍2:40-3:00 PM: Closing Circle and Pick-Up

Join us for a special 3-hour drop-off class in honor of Juneteenth, where we’ll explore art inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Known for his bold colors, expressive marks, and graffiti influences, Basquiat’s work combines free, child-like expression with layered symbolism, creating pieces that are both playful and full of meaning. Students will learn about the artist’s style and how he used repetition, symbols (like crowns), handwritten words, and loose, sketch-like drawings to communicate ideas. Using a mix of materials, they’ll create their own layered, expressive, Basquiat-inspired artwork. This workshop offers a fun and engaging way to celebrate, learn, and create—while honoring the spirit of Juneteenth through art.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* This is the same program that is offered later in the afternoon but at a discounted rate. Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking this class. If you are paying with funds from a Charter School, enter the promo code CharterPaysAll when you register and tell your ES to issue a purchase order for the class fee.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for age 12 and up emphasizes personal responsibility and self-directed art-making under the guidance of the instructor. Individual goals are established and records of progress kept. A sketchbook is required for this class. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. Students new to ADEX are required to complete 3-4 prerequisite projects that introduce new mediums and the fundamentals of composition, color, and form. These projects also serve to familiarize students with the studio’s layout, proper setup and cleanup procedures, as well as essential steps in project planning. These prerequisites are completed at the students’ pace and typically take at least one session to complete.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking Fine Art Fundamentals.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Designed for students ages 10 to 12, the Expanded Fundamentals program bridges the gap between Fine Art Fundamentals and Advanced Exploration. It builds on foundational techniques while offering more opportunities for independent decision-making. Prior completion of Fine Art Fundamentals isn’t required, but familiarity with basic art concepts is recommended. All students new to Expanded Fundamentals will receive a notification to sign up for a one-time, prerequisite Online Form Class, which must be completed by the third week. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. If your child has already completed this class as part of Fine Art Fundamentals, they do not need to take it again.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* This is the same program that is offered later in the afternoon but at a discounted rate. Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking this class. If you are paying with funds from a Charter School, enter the promo code CharterPaysAll when you register and tell your ES to issue a purchase order for the class fee.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* This is the same program that is offered later in the afternoon but at a discounted rate. Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking this class. If you are paying with funds from a Charter School, enter the promo code CharterPaysAll when you register and tell your ES to issue a purchase order for the class fee.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for age 12 and up emphasizes personal responsibility and self-directed art-making under the guidance of the instructor. Individual goals are established and records of progress kept. A sketchbook is required for this class. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. Students new to ADEX are required to complete 3-4 prerequisite projects that introduce new mediums and the fundamentals of composition, color, and form. These projects also serve to familiarize students with the studio’s layout, proper setup and cleanup procedures, as well as essential steps in project planning. These prerequisites are completed at the students’ pace and typically take at least one session to complete.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking Fine Art Fundamentals.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

This drawing class is designed for students of all levels of drawing experience, and would like to learn some advanced techniques and explore new mediums. Many projects are “built upon” each class, so that students experience a variety of mediums and take home several projects. Please join us for the Student Presentation - last 15 minutes of the last class. students will share their artwork they have completed over the session and take everything home this day. Please bring a bag or something

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

A colorful, candy-inspired art adventure! Campers will design and build sweet-themed sculptures using paint, clay, and collage materials. It’s a bright and playful week full of color, creativity, and deliciously fun art-making (no sugar needed!). Messy Art Lab Summer Camp Info 🌈 Art Show Each week ends with a special Art Show, where campers proudly share their amazing creations with family and friends! It’s a joyful celebration of their creativity and the wonderful work they’ve done all week. 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare can be purchased as a weekly package. We do not offer aftercare on Fridays. If you’d like to book individual aftercare days, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

WEEK 8 August 3 - 7 Camp Giggles The Giggling Pig World Step into the magical world of Giggling Pig Village! This special camp week invites your child to explore the village, meet all the characters, and discover the stories behind their personalities and how they were created. Campers will dive into creativity as they learn about character design, storytelling, and even a little entrepreneurship while bringing their own original characters to life. The fun continues with board-game making, character cards, daily projects, and an exciting village-wide competition! All campers can enter their character for a chance to have it professionally illustrated by creator Hannah Perry. Optional Giggling Pig goodie bags and signed books will also be available. Ready to join the fun? So are we — sign up now!

As summer draws to a close, we're giving campers the freedom to choose their creative adventures for the final days of camp. Each day, we'll offer a selection of activities ranging from canvas painting and ceramics to slime making and collage crafting. Campers can decide how they want to spend their day, exploring different mediums and expressing their unique artistic styles. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to dive into what they love most and end their summer with a burst of creativity and personal expression. Join us for these last few days of fun-filled, self-directed creativity!​

Discover Fun, Leadership, and New Skills at GrowFit Camp! At GrowFit Camp, kids aged 4-12 dive into a world of sports and games, discovering new athletic passions in a fun, supportive environment. For teens aged 13-16, our Counselors-In-Training (CIT) program offers the ultimate mix of leadership training, community service opportunities, and exciting gameplay with younger campers—all while boosting résumés with valuable experience! CITs work alongside camp counselors under the guidance of a trained coach, learning leadership skills and playing a variety of sports and games. CITs are technically campers, actively participating in all camp activities while building valuable leadership experience. The program is $30/day with limited spots available each week, requiring a full-session commitment. What to Bring: Water Bottle: Stay hydrated! Refill stations are available on-site. Shoes & Clothing: Comfortable athletic shoes and black athletic shorts or pants are required. Each CIT will receive a camp shirt to wear for the week. Food: Please pack a hearty lunch and a few snacks as CITs run around quite a bit during the day. To join the CIT program, applicants must answer three quick questions after adding the program to their cart. Don’t wait—spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

*CPS will be back in session this week! We're headed to the United States of Auradon with Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Uma, and the rest of the crew of DESCENDANTS! (Maybe even Red and Chloe!) This week-long musical theater camp inspired by Descendants 1, 2, AND 3 (with a bit of Rise of Red thrown in too!) will use your child’s favorite songs, stories, and characters to help them develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage. Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for an end of the week showcase which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” with art projects that introduce them to theatrical elements such as costume set design. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Budding artists capturing multiple objects tend to begin with the largest or most attractive one first, finish it, and move on to the next. By studying multiple object composition, line and air perspective, as well as color mixing, students learn to depict multiple three-dimensional objects and build a solid foundation for future artistic study. Our academic method of teaching will open the eyes and minds of aspiring artists to see the myriad of colors and tones in everyday objects. With these foundational skills, students will learn techniques to express their creativity. Classes alternate between Drawing and Painting on a weekly basis. All skill levels welcome. Students will learn to draw and paint multiple objects as a group taking into account proportions, depth, structures, along with light and shadows. Using acrylic or oil, students will flex these core principles of composition to attain the freedom to draw and paint three-dimensional still-life, landscapes and fictional paintings. Procuring painting and drawing materials are the responsibility of each student, but we are of course happy to advise which ones we think are best.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Designed for students ages 10 to 12, the Expanded Fundamentals program bridges the gap between Fine Art Fundamentals and Advanced Exploration. It builds on foundational techniques while offering more opportunities for independent decision-making. Prior completion of Fine Art Fundamentals isn’t required, but familiarity with basic art concepts is recommended. All students new to Expanded Fundamentals will receive a notification to sign up for a one-time, prerequisite Online Form Class, which must be completed by the third week. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. If your child has already completed this class as part of Fine Art Fundamentals, they do not need to take it again.