Drop-in Craft Projects at Michaels Stores

My first-grader and I attended a drop-in free craft session at Michaels craft store in Pinole. He enjoyed it and was extremely engaged. I enjoyed that I didn’t have to set up or clean up.

Michaels hosts in-store craft events on weekends. Their Makebreak events are often geared toward older kids while Kids Club crafts are perfect for younger ones. Dates and times can vary by project (check your local store’s online schedule), but you can drop in anytime during the two-hour window. Most projects are free with supplies provided, though occasionally you’ll need to bring or purchase an item. No pre-registration is required. Most activities take about 30 minutes to complete, and you get to take home your finished project.

What to Expect at Michaels Crafting Sessions

Materials are laid out on the table, and the teacher has a template for what you should be doing.

The Michaels store employee-slash-teacher at the Pinole store we visited was very sweet, helpful, and age-appropriate in her instruction. I was pleasantly surprised because all of my other interactions with Michaels customer service over the years have been frustrating.

My six-year-old got right into the project; a ghost painting and was happily smearing paste with the teacher’s help. I easily could have escaped and wandered around the store but I was enjoying the process. I asked the teacher if parents need to stay, and she said that children as young as three years old can stay at the table with her as long as they are happy to do so while their parents shop in the store.

Find drop-in classes under $10 for toddlers >>

Because of the location adjacent to many big box stores, this activity seemed like a great add-on to errands that families may have at Target, Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Upcoming Michaels Projects

Michaels’ stores located in the {510} area are in Alameda, Emeryville, Pinole, and San Leandro.