Art Classes for Kids in Los Angeles

Parent-job shortlist of kids art classes in LA: Purple Twig, Armory Center, cFaeR Family Draw, reDiscover, BANANAS Forever, and LAMusArt — with ages, prices, and next steps.

Art classes are where LA parents get the most value for the least money — family drawing for $10 a head, museum-adjacent studios, and process-art programs that let toddlers get messy somewhere that isn’t your kitchen. This shortlist is organized by parent job — serious studio, museum lane, cheapest family draw, drop-in crafting, toddler mess, and community arts — so you can pick a spot this week.

Fact-checked September 6, 2026 against provider registration pages and Play Map LA class listings. Confirm session pricing before registering. Browse all art options in the Play Map LA classes directory.

Choose your plan

If you want...	Start with	Why	Watch out for
Serious kids’ art studio	Purple Twig	Ages 2–11; process-art approach in Eagle Rock	Session tuition (~$225)
Museum-quality instruction	Armory	Pasadena institution; ages 2–5 early childhood lane	Session-based enrollment
Cheapest family art	cFaeR	$10 per participant / week; materials included	Ages 4–12 with a grown-up
Drop-in crafting	reDiscover	$10/person; free under 3	Venice + Mid-City Sundays
Toddler mess elsewhere	BANANAS Forever	Little Creators, ~18 months–3 years	Small cohorts — ask about siblings
South / East LA community arts	LAMusArt	About $18 per class	Class times are limited

The studios

Purple Twig

Best for: Ages 2–11; parents who care about process over product
Where: Eagle Rock (Colorado Blvd.)
Price: About $225 per session for toddler / parent-and-me process-play blocks
Watch-out: Popular sessions fill on enrollment day — parent-and-me lanes go first.
On Play Map LA: See classes

Armory

Best for: Ages 2–5; San Gabriel Valley families who want a real arts institution
Where: Pasadena (Raymond Ave.)
Price: See current Armory family / early childhood catalog
Watch-out: The Armory also runs strong school-age and teen tracks — worth knowing before you age out of the early lane.
On Play Map LA: See classes

cFaeR

cFaeR Family Draw flyer

Best for: Ages 4–12 with a grown-up; families drawing together
Where: Eagle Rock (Center for the Arts Eagle Rock)
Price: $10 per participant per week; materials included
Watch-out: It’s a family class — you’re drawing too.
On Play Map LA: See classes

reDiscover

reDiscover Family Crafting

Best for: All ages; creative-reuse crafting without a big tuition commitment
Where: Venice / Mar Vista and Mid-City (Sunday Family Crafting)
Price: About $10 per person; free ages 3 and under (and free with membership)
Watch-out: “Junkyard” materials — dress kids in clothes that can take glue.
On Play Map LA: See classes

BANANAS Forever

Best for: Ages ~18 months–3 years; first art class with a parent
Where: Mar Vista play cafe
Price: Check the Little Creators page for current tuition
Watch-out: Small cohorts; ask about sibling policies before you enroll two.
On Play Map LA: See classes

LAMusArt

LAMusArt kids arts

Best for: Ages 4–8; community arts school pricing east of downtown
Where: East Los Angeles / Boyle Heights campus
Price: About $18 per class
Watch-out: Also runs dance and music — a genuine one-stop community arts option when you want more than paint.
On Play Map LA: See classes

Also worth knowing

What a Babe! Kids Studio (Sherman Oaks): music + sensory studio for ages ~3 months–3 — already on our parent-and-me music shortlist when you want art-adjacent sensory play under one roof. See classes.
City parks & rec art / craft: often the cheapest first exposure — check your city’s tot catalog.
Cross-shop dance and music when you want enrichment without committing to a full art session.

Prefer a Ready-to-Go Family Plan?

Skip the research with pre-made Mini Plans that include a kid-friendly activity, nearby food or park stop, parent tips, and an indoor backup.

Browse all ready-to-go plans

FAQ

What age should kids start art class?

Parent-and-me process-art classes work from about 18 months. Independent classes usually start at 3–4 when kids can follow two-step directions.

Are art classes worth it before kindergarten?

If your kid craves making things, yes — the value is fine-motor practice and open-ended problem solving, not artwork quality.

Drop-in or session?

Drop-ins (cFaeR at $10, reDiscover at $10) are perfect tests. Move to a session once your child asks to go back.

How much do kids art classes cost in LA?

Expect about $10 drop-in at community / reuse spaces, ~$18/class at community arts schools, and a few hundred dollars per session at dedicated kids’ studios like Purple Twig. Confirm current tuition on the linked Play Map listing before you register.

Find art classes near you in the Play Map LA classes directory.

Kids events this weekendBrowse live Friday–Sunday listings for ages 0–6.See this weekend →

Play Map LA

Art Classes for Kids in Los Angeles