Walk-In and Group Activities

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Last Updated: Aug 15, 2025, 03:43 PM

Our activities are designed to bring creativity and fun to participants of all ages, whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting out. Open to individuals ages 5 and up, these hands-on experiences are a great way for adults and children to explore their artistic side without needing to make a reservation. Our friendly staff will be there to guide you through the setup and get you started. From there, you’re free to dive into your project and let your imagination lead the way.

person sitting at pottery wheel

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, with one adult supervising up to five children. This ensures younger participants have the support they need while working on their projects. The time needed to complete activities may vary depending on the complexity of the craft and your experience level, so plan accordingly.

Whether you’re coming in to try something new or hoping to spend quality time with friends and family, our craft activities offer a welcoming space for creativity to flourish. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!

Available Activities

  • Stamped Leather

    Keychain or Bracelet

    Make a custom leather key chain or bracelet, choose from a variety of leather blanks, pattern stamps, and add your name with letter stamps

    • Project time: ½ hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Students and Community $5

  • Scratch-Art Paper

    Love black and white, cross hatching, texture, and line this is the walk-in activity for you! Includes: 8” x 10” Scratch-art paper mounted on foam core and scratch tools.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $5, Community $6

  • Paint a Ceramic Mug

    Add your personality to a ceramic mug by stamping, carving, and painting on colorful underglaze. Our staff will finish it by adding a clear glaze and firing in our kiln. Return in two weeks to pick up the finished product.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $15, Community $15

  • String Art

    Be creative with string and make an 8” x 10” string art masterpiece. String, nails, wooden board, and tools are provided. Select a design from our selection or design your own.

    • Project time: 1 – 2 hours
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $12, Community $14

  • Tie Dye

    Dye your heart out at the Craft Shop, it’s a perfect place to make a mess! We provide everything but the item to dye. Includes: dye, rubber bands, and plastic bags to take it home. Items for tie-dyeing must be prewashed to remove factory sizing and a natural fiber such as cotton, linen, etc. The Craft Shop has a limited supply of cotton bandannas, tote bags, and tapestries for dyeing at the Front Desk.

    • Project time: ½ - 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $6, Community $7

  • Wooden Sculptures

    Build a unique sculpture with scrap wood from our Wood Shop. Sort through the scrap wood bin and find the perfect pieces to let your imagination run wild. Finish it with paint, stain, or other decorations. This is a great activity for small children.

    • Project time: 1 -2 hours
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $6, Community $7

  • Alcohol Ink Coasters

    Make your own tile coaster set using permanent markers, and alcohol to create a fun tie-dyed effect. We will add a clear varnish and a felt backing. Includes: Four tile, markers, alcohol, clear coat, and felt backing. This is a fun and easy craft for all ages.

    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $5, Community $6

  • Beaded Jewelry

    String up beads to make a unique necklace or bracelet. Includes: Seed beads or pony beads, wire or cordage, and fasteners. Other beads are extra and available for purchase.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $5, Community $6

  • Clay

    Discover the many possibilities of clay hand-building or on the potter’s wheel. You can make a fish, cup, bowl, or a monster, use your imagination. If you need instruction on pottery wheel call ahead to make a private lesson appointment for an additional fee or feel free to try it out on your own.

    • Project time: Varies
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $5, Community $6 for 2 ½ lbs clay
      • SIU Student $8, Community $9 for 5 lbs clay
      • SIU Student $16, Community $18 for 10 lbs clay

  • DIY Tote Bag

    Decorate your a cotton tote bag design of your choice using colorful fabric markers, sewing or sparkle. Use stencils or draw free hand.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $5, Community $6

  • Friendship Bracelets

    Create a colorful friendship bracelet using embroidery floss or hemp string. Add beads to create a unique look.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $4, Community $5

  • Greeting Cards

    Use our extensive rubber stamp collection and supplies to create a creative card for any occasion. Includes: card, rubber stamps, ink, embellishments, and envelope.

    • Project time: ½ hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $4, Community $5

  • Hula Hoop

    Make your own custom colorful hula hoop, this activity is quick, easy, and built to last. Includes: hula hoop, tape, and piping. Available in kid and adult hoop sizes.

    • Project time: ½ - 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $16, Community $18

  • Mask or Crown

    Create a party mask or crown, start with a basic template and decorate it! Includes: heavy weight cardstock paper, construction paper, glitter, gems, beads, feathers, paint, crayons, markers, and ribbons.

    • Project time: ½ hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $4, Community $5

  • Oven Bake Clay

    Create an animal, sculpture, beaded necklace, or small dish with colorful Sculpey oven-bake clay. Allow 15 - 20 minutes for it to bake and cooling.

    • Project time: 1 – 1 ½ hours
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $7, Community $8

  • Mosaic Glass

    Design a beautiful mosaic using stained glass and grout. Select an item from the Craft Shop or bring your own. Parental supervision is advised due to sharp glass edges. Items available for mosaic: square candle holder, 8” x 10” glass or board, 4” x 4” tile coaster, 5” x 7” picture frame, or concrete stepping stone add $10.

    • Project time: 3 hours
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $18, Community $20

  • Painting: Acrylics

    Paint a masterpiece of your own design or choose from our book of paintings. Paint, palette, and brushed, paint board provided or upgrade to a 11” x 14” stretched canvas. Tempera paint is available for younger children.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $10, Community $12
    • Paint Pass (paint only):
      • SIU Students $5, Community $6

  • Painting: Watercolors

    Explore the relaxing qualities of painting watercolors. We provide paints, watercolor paper, brushes, tape, and watercolor board to work on. Great activity for all ages.

    • Project time: 1 hour
    • Cost:
      • SIU Students $5, Community $7

  • Paint a Pet Rock

    Paint a new pet rock buddy or just paint designs. Supplies include rock, paint, paint brushes, and if you would like fun googly eyes.

    • Project time: varies
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $2, Community $3

  • Perler Beads

    Design your own Perler bead creation or look through our book of bead patterns. Add a magnet, pinback, or make it an ornament. We will help you melt them together with a hot iron and add a magnet or pin!

    • Project time: ½ - 1 hour
    • Cost per tray:
      • SIU Student $2, Community $3

  • Printmaking

    Stop in and create your own print with a linoleum block. Print onto paper or fabric to make one or multiple for your own print edition. Due to sharp tools, parental supervision is advised for linoleum printing, foam stamps kits available for younger kids. Includes: 4” x 6” linoleum block or foam sticker sheet, ink, and 6 sheets of 8” x 10” paper. Feel free to bring objects to print onto such as tote bags or t-shirts.

    • Project time: 1 – 2 hours
    • Cost:
      • SIU Student $12, Community $14