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Best Places For Kids' Summer Art Activities In Sacramento

Summer is coming and there will be plenty of opportunities for local kids to get their art on. The Sacramento community is dedicated to artistic expression and the little ones can follow suit while having fun. Paint, chalk, glitter, clay and even mud become art in the hands of a child.

chalk it up
(credit: chalkitup.org)


Chalk-It-Up! Art & Music Festival
Fremont Park
1515 Q St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 213-5059
www.chalkitup.org

Chalk-It-Up is a nonprofit group supporting children's art education programs in the region. At the festival, artists and amateurs use chalk to turn an ordinary sidewalk into a creative outdoor gallery. While the festival itself doesn't happen until Labor Day, the summer is a great time for kids to practice their chalk skills. The event features a free Create-a-Zone for kids to do fun, multi-media projects with artists. The three-day festival takes place at the end of summer, but the kids can start practicing now. All it takes is a box of chalk, a safe place to draw and an imagination allowed to run free.

alpha fired arts
(credit: alphafiredarts.com)

Alpha Fired Arts
4675 Aldona Lane
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 484-4424
www.alphafiredarts.com

If your kids like using Play-Doh, they will be delighted when they can dig in and work with real clay. Alpha's youth classes let children ages seven and up handle, coil and work with clay to create cool projects to take home. The Paint Your Own Pottery studio is another experience that is fun for adults and kids of any age. Choose a mug, serving plate, figurine, bank or other item from more than 425 types of unpainted and unfired ceramics. Then, using stamps and stencils or just your own inspiration, paint the piece and leave it for the staff to glaze and fire. Stop by with the kids a few days later and pick up everyone's unique creations.

Related: Cooking Ideas For Kids From A Sacramento Chef

recreate
(credit: recreate.org)

ReCREATE
8417 Washington Blvd, Suite 135
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 749-3717
www.recreate.org

ReCREATE is a nonprofit organization offering a unique way to support the environment. The group gathers a wide range of recyclable materials and you turn it into art. Enjoy a class with your preschooler as they to learn about shapes, colors and textures and make fun projects out of beads, fabric, ribbon, foam, paper and other items. 
ReCREATE also offers drop-in crafting for adults and children during regular business hours. You get to go home with happy kids and the unique things you have all created and there is one additional benefit. As the staff and volunteers say, they do all

of the clean up so you don't have to worry about glitter and glue in your carpet.

crocker
(credit: crockeartmuseumr.org)

Crocker Art Museum
216 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-7000
www.crockerartmuseum.org

The Crocker offers many opportunities for children and adults to learn about and participate in the artistic process. For example, the museum offers Baby Loves Art classes for kids from infants to toddlers. Other hands-on art programs are geared towards three- to five-year-olds or to kids aged five to eight. Older children can sketch and paint in certain programs, and learn about printmaking, weaving and sculpture as well. Check the museum's website throughout the summer to learn about upcoming programs and events.

artbeast
(credit: artbeaststudio.com)

ArtBeast
2226 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-1233
www.artbeaststudio.com

ArtBeast offers a range of classes and projects for children, whether they are budding Picassos or just like to have fun with crayons, glitter, clay, paint and natural objects. Programs are available for babies, toddlers and every other age, and often include songs, dancing and storytelling along with art. For kids who love getting into squishy situations, look no further than the "messy art sensory tables." Children can experience the sensory, textural side of art by digging into mud and oobleck, a delightfully gooey cornstarch concoction that can be transformed into something strong enough to walk on.

Related: Best Mini Golf Courses In Sacramento

Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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