Best Art Camps in Austin, TX (2026 Guide)
Last Updated: May 2026
Austin has outstanding art camps for every kind of young creator — from hands-on studio camps for young kids to painting intensives for teens. Top picks include Cherrywood Treehouse Art Studio (boutique East Austin studio, ages 8–12), Art Amore Studios (full-day painting intensive, ages 6–18), Cordovan Art School (40+ themed camps, ages 5+), Kidcreate Studio (full-day themed bundles, ages 5–12), and IDEA Lab Kids for digital art and graphic design. For pottery specifically, The Spinning Wheel ATX and Amano Pottery Studio are standouts. All programs are bookable on Recess at hello-recess.com.
One of the most rewarding parts of building Recess has been discovering how rich Austin’s creative community really is for kids. We’ve connected with studios run by working artists, educators, and therapists who have built something genuinely special — programs where kids aren’t just making crafts, they’re building creative confidence that carries into everything else. This guide covers the best art camps available on Recess in Austin right now, organized by medium so you can find exactly the right fit for your child.
What Child Development Experts Say About Art Education
The research on arts education and child development consistently shows that creative programs build more than artistic skill. A 2019 study published in the journal Child Development found that arts engagement supports executive function, self-regulation, and cognitive flexibility — skills that transfer directly into academic and social settings. (Source: Wexler, B.E. et al., “Arts and Academic Achievement,” Child Development, 2019.) Art camps give kids dedicated time to experiment, make mistakes, and develop a creative identity in a low-stakes, supportive environment.
What Are the Best Art Camps in Austin for Kids?
Here’s a full breakdown of the best art camps on Recess in Austin, organized by medium and approach.
Mixed Media & General Art Camps in Austin
- Cherrywood Treehouse Art Studio – East Austin (Lafayette Ave) | Ages 8–12 | $625/week, Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM. Run by owner and instructor Rachel Graham, Cherrywood Treehouse is a boutique creative safe haven in the heart of East Austin. The studio keeps class sizes intentionally small so every child gets genuine one-on-one attention from a professional artist. Campers rotate through pottery, sculpting, drawing, and painting with the emphasis on creative risk-taking over prescribed outcomes — kids leave each session genuinely proud of what they made. Sessions available in June.
- Art Amore Studios – North Austin (Jester Blvd) | Ages 6–18 | $585/week, Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM. A small, family-run studio in North Austin serving beginning through advanced artists ages 5 and up through year-round classes, summer camps, and private lessons. The Brushstrokes Camp is a full-day painting intensive that moves through acrylics, watercolors, color theory, palette knife work, texture techniques, and styles from dreamy landscapes to abstract and pop art. All professional-grade supplies included; no experience required. One of the best options in Austin for kids who want to go deep on painting. June 8–12.
- Kidcreate Studio – Northwest Austin (Research Blvd) | Ages 5–12 | $380–$410/week, Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM. An award-winning art and science studio designed exclusively for kids where getting messy is not just allowed — it’s the whole point. Serving children ages 12 months to 12 years, Kidcreate runs weekly themed Full Day Camp Bundles all summer. Each week is a different theme: Gem-Tastic, Tie Dye Party, KPop Demon Hunters, Hello Kitty Clay Creations, and more. Experienced teaching artists lead every session. A Lunch & Doodle add-on is available for extended coverage. Sessions run May through August; limited spots across many weeks.
- Community Arts LLC – South Austin (Joy Street) | Ages 6–13 | $300/week, Mon–Fri 9 AM–12 PM. Community Arts blends art and creative play with traditional and alternative therapies to support children, teens, and adults. Their mission is to provide inclusive, accessible spaces where all individuals — regardless of background or ability — can connect with compassionate, artistic therapists. The Power of Me: Summer Art Camp uses painting, drawing, and sculpture to help kids discover their voice, build confidence, and celebrate their unique talents. All materials and light snacks included. A standout for families seeking a more intentional, therapeutic studio environment. June session.
- The Hot Spot Studios – Pflugerville (FM 685) | Ages 6–18 | $300/week, Mon–Fri 12–3 PM. A welcoming, no-pressure art studio in Pflugerville where the only rule is to make something you love. Kids and teens rotate through pottery painting, candle making, mosaics, canvas art, and slime in daily three-hour afternoon sessions. A great half-day option for families who need afternoon coverage. Sessions run weekly May through July.
Pottery & Clay Camps in Austin
- The Spinning Wheel ATX – Leander (S Bagdad Rd) | Ages 8–13 | $350/week, Mon–Fri 10 AM–3 PM. Leander’s most distinctive ceramics studio, founded by Rakhi, whose passion for turning everyday recycled materials and raw clay into extraordinary works of art has built one of the most beloved creative studios in the greater Austin area. Each themed week of camp explores a different subject through hand-building — famous characters, prehistoric animals, oceans and space — with Friday STEM activities woven in. Sessions run weekly June through August. One of the best dedicated pottery camps in the region.
- Amano Pottery Studio – South Austin (W Mary St) | Ages 9–14 | $320, Mon–Thu 9 AM–12 PM. A cozy South Austin studio where creativity is molded by hand and fired with passion. Whether a seasoned potter or a curious beginner, kids work through playful food-inspired projects — bubble plates, slab-built snack boxes, and more — learning hand-building fundamentals in a focused, small-group environment. One June session available; limited spots.
Hands-On Art Camps for Young Kids (Ages 5–11)
- Scribble Land Studio – Liberty Hill (W State Hwy 29) | Ages 5–10 | $260, Sun–Wed 9 AM–1 PM. Founded in 2012 by a dedicated educator and Montessori guide, Scribble Land was born out of a passion for nurturing young minds through child-led creative exploration. The studio serves toddlers through elementary-aged children with a range of programs where kids are free to create without prescribed outcomes. The Candy Land Camp blends STEAM activities and candy-inspired art in a joyful, mess-friendly environment that encourages curiosity and problem-solving. Sessions in June and July.
- Saplings Studio – Cedar Park (Blue Ridge Dr) | Ages 5–11 | $350, Mon–Thu 9 AM–2 PM. A playful, process-focused art studio for kids ages 3 and up, founded by Jaclyn, a 15-year early childhood educator who believes every child is an artist and every mess is a masterpiece in the making. The Anderson Mill studio offers drop-in creative space and structured camps where kids explore art in their own way. The Squishmallow’s Magic Suitcase Camp offers character-inspired crafts and imaginative open-ended projects. June sessions.
- Crafternoon ATX – East Austin (38th ½ St) | Ages 10–14 | $180, Mon–Thu 10 AM–2 PM. A beloved creative arts studio nestled in a charming turquoise house in East Austin, where kids ages 5–13 get to slow down, get their hands messy, and make something truly their own. Founded in 2017 by teaching artist Camille Lema, Crafternoon blends hands-on making with nature-based learning and a genuinely unhurried pace. The Tiny Worlds & Miniatures camp is designed for detail-oriented tweens — building clay sculptures, designing custom dioramas, and painting petite landscapes. Only 2 spots remaining for the June session.
Drawing & Painting Camps in Austin
- Young Rembrandts – Central Austin (Balcones Dr) | Ages 6–12 | $300, Mon–Fri 1–4 PM. Young Rembrandts offers drawing classes for kids throughout the greater Austin area, with a curriculum built to be genuinely fun while building academic skills, fine motor skills, social skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual-spatial development. The Summer Wonders KPop Anime Drawing Workshop is a five-day afternoon camp where kids learn to draw anime characters in a K-Pop style — specialty eyes, stylish outfits, stage-ready poses — using color pencils, Sharpies, and markers on large 11×17 paper. One of the most in-demand themes for this age group right now. July session.
- Cordovan Art School – Round Rock (Gattis School Rd) | Ages 5–7+ (multiple age groups available) | $272–$549/week depending on format. The leader in creative art camps in the NW Austin area, with over 40 themed camps to choose from — Video Game Art, Pokemon, Anime, Super Heroes & Villains, Fantasy Art, Space Art, Pets, Underwater & Sea Life, and many more. Offers mixed media, chalk, pastels, sculpture, and painting. Half-day and full-day options available every week all summer, from late May through mid-August. One of the most flexible and variety-rich art camp programs in the Austin area.
Digital Art & Design Camps in Austin
- IDEA Lab Kids – Canva Creators: Graphic Design & Artists in Training – Northwest Austin (Research Blvd) | Ages 5–12 | $220–$332/session. An innovative STEAM enrichment program that has served Austin families for over 8 years, operating as a preferred STEM vendor for both AISD and the City of Austin Recreation Program. Licensed as a daycare with all staff fingerprinted and background-checked. Offers two art-focused camps: Canva Creators: Graphic Design (ages 8–12, half-day, teaching layout, color theory, and typography using Canva) and Artists in Training: Mastering Art (ages 5–8, full week, exploring famous artists through hands-on projects). Extended care available. Sessions in June, July, and August.
- My Coding Place – Art & Animation – West Austin (Far West Blvd) | Ages 7–11 | $449/session, Mon–Wed 9 AM–3 PM. A female-owned, family-run STEM studio in West Austin founded by a certified Computer Science and Math teacher and a software engineer. Offers coding, game development, digital art, web development, and more for kids ages 5 through high school. The Art & Animation camp teaches digital design and illustration — creating and editing images, applying filters and special effects, and building simple animation frames using professional tools. A strong pick for kids who love both art and technology. Late June session.
- CompuChild of North Austin – 3D Craft, Jewelry & Technology Camp – Cedar Park (Main St) | Ages 6–13 | $220, Mon–Fri 9 AM–12 PM. CompuChild brings Cognia-certified Entrepreneurial STEAM enrichment programs to kids in the Cedar Park area, with after-school classes and summer camps for preschool through 9th grade. Their curriculum is built around four pillars: science & technology, finance & business, art & design, and health & wellness. The 3D Craft, Jewelry & Technology Camp has students design and build original 3D art and jewelry using creative design tools and 3D technology, exploring color, texture, and modeling. A distinctive option bridging art and digital making. June session.
- Squizzle Brand Camp – Squizzle Summer Camp – South Austin (Paisano Trail) | Ages 10–15 | $495, Mon–Fri 9 AM–3 PM. Squizzle Brand camp is an educational and creative program designed to introduce kids to the fundamentals of branding, storytelling, and entrepreneurial thinking. Founded by brand strategist and author Chris Kocek, the initiative translates the most exciting elements of branding—such as brainstorming, naming, design, and copywriting—into hands-on, fun learning experiences for children. Squizzle Summer Camp is a hands-on deep dive into the professional world of brand building where kids transform from consumers into creators. Campers engage in collaborative design sprints that teach essential “design thinking” and business strategy, helping them develop skills in visual communication and persuasive writing. Sessions in June and July.
Unique & Specialty Art Camps Near Austin
- Moonshine Yoga – Art, Craft & Aerial Summer Camp – 3 locations: Cedar Park (S Bagdad Rd), Liberty Hill (W State Hwy 29), Georgetown (Westinghouse Rd) | Ages 6–12 | $199/session, Mon–Fri half-day AM or PM. Suspended in a silky hammock and defying gravity just a little, kids discover a whole new way to move at Moonshine Yoga’s Kids Aerial program. Each week-long Art & Aerial Camp blends aerial yoga in the hammock with hands-on art projects, mindfulness, and games in a completely screen-free environment — building core strength, flexibility, balance, and creative confidence simultaneously. Themes rotate weekly so returning campers always experience something new. Small class sizes, experienced instructors, and a safety-first approach with every child spotted and supported. Sessions run continuously June through August across all three locations.
How to Choose the Right Art Camp for Your Child
With this range of programs, a few questions help narrow it down quickly:
- What kind of art does your child gravitate toward? If they love painting, Art Amore or Cherrywood Treehouse are standouts. For digital media, IDEA Lab or My Coding Place. Pottery lovers should look at The Spinning Wheel ATX or Amano.
- How old is your child? Scribble Land, Saplings, and Kidcreate are built for younger kids (5–11). Crafternoon’s Tiny Worlds camp is ideal for focused tweens (10–14). Cherrywood Treehouse and Art Amore serve up to age 18.
- Full day or half day? Kidcreate, Cordovan, and IDEA Lab offer both. Moonshine Yoga and Young Rembrandts are half-day. Cherrywood Treehouse, Art Amore, and The Spinning Wheel ATX are full-day.
- Structured skill-building or open exploration? For structured, technique-focused work, look at Cordovan, IDEA Lab, Art Amore, or My Coding Place. For child-led, open-ended exploration, Scribble Land, Saplings, Crafternoon, or Community Arts are the right fit.
- Do they want something truly different? Moonshine Yoga’s Art & Aerial Camp is unlike anything else in Austin — combining hammock aerial yoga with art projects in a screen-free environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Art Camps in Austin
What are the best art camps in Austin for kids?
Top-rated art camps in Austin on Recess include Cherrywood Treehouse Art Studio (boutique East Austin studio, ages 8–12), Art Amore Studios (full-day painting intensive, ages 6–18), Cordovan Art School (40+ themed camps, ages 5+), Kidcreate Studio (themed full-day bundles, ages 5–12), and The Spinning Wheel ATX for pottery (ages 8–13). For digital art, IDEA Lab Kids and My Coding Place are standout options. For something truly unique, Moonshine Yoga blends aerial yoga with hands-on art projects.
What age can kids start art camps in Austin?
Most art camps in Austin accept children starting at age 5 or 6. Half-day and shorter-format programs tend to be the most accessible entry point for younger kids, while full-day camps are generally designed for ages 6 and up. Camps focused on detailed or technical work — like pottery, miniatures, or digital design — typically start around age 8. If your child is under 5, look for open-studio drop-in programs or parent-child creative play classes rather than structured week-long camps.
How much do art camps in Austin cost?
Art camp costs in Austin vary by format. Half-day weekly camps range from $180–$300. Full-day camps typically run $350–$625 per week. Moonshine Yoga’s aerial art camp is $199 for a half-day week-long session. Cordovan Art School offers the widest range, from $272 (half-day) to $549 (full-day) per week.
Are there art camps for teens in Austin?
Yes. Art Amore Studios’ Brushstrokes Camp accepts ages 6–18. The Hot Spot Studios runs camps for ages 6–18. Cordovan Art School serves teens through high school. Crafternoon ATX’s Tiny Worlds camp is designed for ages 10–14. CompuChild’s 3D Craft & Technology Camp goes up to age 13.
Are there pottery camps specifically for kids in Austin?
Yes — The Spinning Wheel ATX in Leander offers weekly themed pottery camps for ages 8–13 all summer. Amano Pottery Studio in South Austin offers a food-inspired hand-building camp for ages 9–14. Cherrywood Treehouse and Cordovan Art School also include pottery within their broader mixed-media programs.
Are there digital art or animation camps in Austin?
Yes. IDEA Lab Kids offers both a Canva Creators graphic design camp (ages 8–12) and an Artists in Training camp (ages 5–8). My Coding Place offers an Art & Animation camp (ages 7–11). CompuChild runs a 3D Craft & Technology camp (ages 6–13) that bridges art and digital design.
Where can I find and book art camps in Austin?
All of the art camps in this guide are available to browse and book on Recess at hello-recess.com. You can filter by age, type of art, location, and date — and book directly without calling during business hours.
Find & Book Austin Art Camps on Recess
Recess makes it easy to discover and book kids’ art camps across Austin and the surrounding area — from East Austin boutique studios to Northwest Austin full-day programs. Search by age, medium, and neighborhood, and book everything in one place.
