Art classes give kids a chance to explore painting, drawing and craft in a supportive, hands-on setting that builds confidence and creativity. This guide explains what to expect, typical costs, and how to pick a class that suits your child. We feature a range of well-reviewed Melbourne providers to help you start your search.
Mentative Art in Blackburn North, Melbourne offers art classes for kids, teens, and adults led by Effie Dastyar, with 15 years of teaching experience. Classes include after-school, holiday programs, family painting, teens art, adult drawing and painting, and paint-and-sip events. All skill levels welcome; small group sizes with personalised instruction.
Glorious Studio in Ashwood, Melbourne offers art classes for kids (aged 6+), teens, and adults. Classes include painting (acrylic, oil, watercolour), drawing, sketching, character illustration, and decorative painting. Holiday workshops and birthday parties are also available. Small group sessions suit all skill levels.
WholeArtEd, based in Blackburn VIC, offers small-group skill-based art, craft and design classes for kids and adults. Run by Danielle, a former Visual Arts teacher with 20+ years experience. Weekly term classes, school holiday programs, kids parties, adult workshops and corporate events available at the Blackburn studio or external venues.
Wild at Art KIDS in Taylors Lakes offers weekly art classes for kids (ages 5–13), teens, adults, and homeschool families, covering drawing, painting, clay, mixed media, collage, sculpture and more. Holiday workshops also available. Led by Di, a qualified teacher with 26+ years' experience. No trial class explicitly mentioned.
Malvern School of Art is an art school in Malvern, VIC, focused on creative minds. Based on available website text, specific details about age ranges, class types, trial offerings, and instructor names are not explicitly stated.
Art school in Mooroolbark, VIC offering drawing, painting, digital art, and photography classes for kids (8+), teenagers, and adults. Sessions include afternoon, evening, and Sunday workshops. Classes are tailored to all skill levels from beginners to advanced artists. Booking available online.
Sofia Art for Kids runs small art classes (4–6 students) for kids in Box Hill, VIC. Classes cover crafting, painting, digital art, sketching, manga, and art excursions. Students have won national and international awards. Trial classes are available to book.
Art Classes Melbourne offers kids art classes in Malvern, VIC. The website provides minimal detail, but focuses on art-based activities for children. No specific age ranges, trial class offers, or instructor names are explicitly mentioned in the available website text.
Most art classes for children focus on developing core skills while keeping things fun and playful. Depending on the program, your child might work with pencils, charcoal, watercolours, acrylics, clay, collage and mixed-media craft. Younger kids tend to do more open-ended, sensory and process-driven activities, while older children and teens often move towards technique — things like shading, perspective, colour theory and composition.
Good classes balance free expression with gentle instruction. A child shouldn't just be left to muck about, nor drilled like it's a formal exam. The best teachers meet kids where they are, encourage experimentation, and celebrate effort over perfection.
Art classes in Melbourne typically cater for ages 4 or 5 and up. As a rough guide:
Several providers (such as Mentative Art and Glorious Studio) run separate classes for kids, teens and adults, so it's worth checking which age brackets a studio actually offers.
At a first session, your child will usually be shown around the space, introduced to the teacher and other students, and eased into a small activity. Expect aprons or smocks (paint gets everywhere), shared or individual workstations, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Many studios run a free or low-cost trial class so your child can try before you commit to a full term. This is a great way to see whether the teaching style suits your child and whether they actually enjoy it. Arrive a few minutes early, label any belongings, and let the teacher know about any allergies or sensory sensitivities.
Prices vary widely depending on class length, materials, studio location and group size. As a general guide only — always confirm current pricing directly with the provider:
Some studios include all materials in the fee, while others charge a separate materials levy. Smaller class sizes and specialist teachers generally cost more. Ask whether there are sibling discounts or trial rates.
Melbourne has plenty of choice, so it pays to do a little homework before enrolling.
Working With Children Check: In Victoria, anyone working with children must hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). Don't be shy about asking a studio to confirm that all instructors and assistants are checked — a reputable provider will be happy to tell you.
Class ratios and group size: Smaller groups mean more individual attention. For young children, look for low student-to-teacher ratios. Ask how many kids are typically in a class and whether there's an assistant.
Trial classes: A free or discounted trial lets you gauge fit without committing to a full term. Use it to observe how the teacher interacts with students and whether your child is engaged.
Reviews and reputation: Star ratings and review counts give a useful signal. On this page we feature highly rated studios across Melbourne — from Blackburn North, Ashwood and Templestowe to Hawthorn, Malvern, Armadale, Port Melbourne, Taylors Lakes, South Yarra and Abbotsford — so you can find something close to home. Read a few reviews to get a feel for the teaching style and atmosphere.
Location and timing: Consider travel time and whether class times fit around school, naps and other activities. A class that's hard to get to rarely lasts.
Progress in art is gradual, so try to praise effort and curiosity rather than just the finished result. Keep some basic supplies at home so your child can practise between classes, and resist the urge to 'fix' their work. The aim is to nurture a lifelong love of creating — the technical skills follow naturally over time.
With the right studio and a supportive teacher, art classes can become a highlight of your child's week and a wonderful outlet for self-expression.
Or read the full art classes guide, or browse all Melbourne providers.
Most Melbourne studios accept children from around age 4 or 5, with play-based sessions for the youngest and more structured technique classes for older kids and teens. Check each provider's age brackets, as many run separate classes for different age groups.
As a general guide, casual classes run roughly $25–$50 each, term enrolments around $200–$450 for 8–10 weeks, and holiday workshops about $50–$120 per day. Always confirm current pricing and whether materials are included directly with the provider.
Yes. In Victoria, anyone working with children must hold a valid Working With Children Check. A reputable studio will happily confirm that all instructors and assistants are checked, so don't hesitate to ask before enrolling.
Many Melbourne studios offer a free or discounted trial class. This lets you see whether the teaching style and atmosphere suit your child before you pay for a full term. Ask each provider whether a trial is available.
It varies. Some studios include all paints, paper and craft supplies in the fee, while others charge a separate materials levy. Always clarify this when you enrol so there are no surprises.