Get your kids creative juices going with art, craft and creative writing classes in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter. There’s a range of classes to choose from. Whether kids want to draw, paint, sculpt or write, there are classes to suit every child and every age too. You can choose from low-cost or free art activities at local galleries or book your kids in for art classes and use your Creative Kids voucher.
Featured listings are posted at the top. We thank these organisations and businesses for their support of Newy with Kids. Be sure to tell them you found them on Newy with Kids.
ARTS IN THE YARD
ARTS IN THE YARD, is a free arts workshop which is aimed at introducing children of all ages to contemporary arts practices in an accessible way. It’s located at the unique historical venue, The Lock-Up, which was formerly an 1800s police station and now a contemporary art space. This is an all-inclusive arts workshop, please bring yourself plus your family and be prepared to enjoy the delight of learning and making in one of Newcastle’s most historic spaces.
Bookings are essential to secure a spot. Please book for number of children attending. This is a free program for children of all ages and their families. Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer and cannot be left unattended during ARTS IN THE YARD.
Address: The Lock-Up, Newcastle East
Days: Saturday
Time: 10am – 10:45am or 11am – 11:45am
Bookings Required: Yes
More Info
ARTSPACE
Young children and their families can enjoy simple art activities guided by friendly art museum educators. ArtSpace at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, fosters creativity and connection through free, family-centred art programs. These monthly sessions inspire families’ imagination, encourage their artistic expression, and provide an inclusive space where everyone can explore the joy of art, regardless of age, ability or background.
The session is free but MAC requests that you donate what you can to allow them to continue to provide this service to the community. A donation stand is located at MAC, yapang.
Location: Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) Lake Macquarie, Booragul
Day: Sundays on 18 May, 15 June, 20 July 2025, 17 August, 21 September and 19 October 2025
Time: 10am – 11:30am
Bookings Required: Yes
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Free Art Sunday
Drop into Maitland Regional Art Gallery for free art fun every Sunday. Free Art Sunday activities are designed for kids of all ages, and as a family you can all join in and get creative. Each activity takes around half an hour to complete. Free for children of all ages and their families. Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer and cannot be left unattended during Art Sundays.
Location: Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland
Day: Sunday
Time: 10am – 12pm every Sunday (not Christmas Eve or NYE)
Bookings Required: No
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ART PLAY
Art Play offers an awesome art program that are free and available for everyone! MAP mima want to create a space where everyone in your family can be creative and have fun, no matter what your background or level of experience is. If you’re a young family, come check out MAP mima! They have a cool exhibition and art project that’s perfect for you! They will give you a quick tour at 10am and introduce a different art activity each month.
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion mima – 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point
Day: Second Sunday of the month – 11 May, 13 July, 10 August, 14 September and 12 October 2025
Time: 10am- 11:30am
Bookings Required: Yes. Recommended
More Info
Hive Art Studio
Hive Art Studio is a vibrant community of qualified and experienced practicing artists who are passionate about inspiring children and teens to connect with their inner creativity whilst developing skill and talent in drawing, painting & sculpture. Our art classes are designed to suit a range of ages and abilities from beginners to academy level and all students are guided through art making processes to create portfolio’s of work they can be proud of! Book a trial today!
Ages: 5 – 16
Address: 173-175 Pacific Highway, Charlestown
Phone: (02) 4023 5552
Website
The Creative Wordshop
Since its founding in 2015 by Newcastle-based authors, Ed Wright and Wendy James, The Creative Word Shop has taught writing to adults and children in the Hunter and beyond. Together with quality collaborators such as kids’ book author Jess Black, they have conducted workshops for thousands of primary and secondary students in local schools and their school holiday and after school Creative Writing Workshops for kids continue to grow in popularity. The Creative Word Shop run workshops, online workshops and Selective Schools Tests Writing Workshops.
Address: 3/27 Throsby Street, Wickham
Website
Upcycle Newcastle
Upcycle Newcastle (a project of Transition Newcastle) is a community group in Newcastle focusing on the circular economy and saving waste from landfill through creative re-use and repair. The regularly run Beginner Sewing Class for Kids and Teens and an Upcycle Craft Club.
Address: Shed 7D, 50 Clyde Street, Hamilton North
Website
Additional Classes
- Art House Studios, New Lambton
- Art Mania Studio, West Wallsend
- Hive Art Studio, Charlestown
- Hudson Street Hum, Hamilton
- Hunter Valley Writers, East Maitland
- Little Pegg Studio, Raymond Terrace
- Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG), Maitland
- MAP (Multi Arts Pavilion) mima Play, Speers Point Park
- Mitch Revs Decked Out Workshops, Perkins Street, Newcastle
- Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie (MAC), Booragul
- Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle – CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR EXPANSION
- Newcastle Library, various locations
- Playstate Curate, Newcastle West
- SEEN Swansea, Swansea
- Space to Grow Learning Centre, Lambton
- Upcycle Newcastle, Hamilton North