Family Workshops at the Ringling Museum

Channel your inner Picasso at The Ringling’s Family Workshops, drop-in activities in which you and your kids (age 4-10) work together to create your own masterpieces. You don’t even need to pay admission to participate; just visit the Visitors Pavilion welcome center Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. through July 27. Come early and picnic under the banyan trees at the Bolger Playspace, a playground that’s wonderfully creative and—importantly in the summer—shady, too. (941) 359-5700; Information on all the Ringling's child-friendly programs is at ringling.org/kids-families. 

Carla’s Clay

Ready to graduate from Play-Doh to the real thing? Folks rave about the Saturday morning “Kids and Clay” drop-in sessions at this clay studio in the Northgate Center business park in north Sarasota. From 11 a.m. to noon, kids 6 to 90 with a hankering to get their fingers into all that squishy clay can hand-build their own pots, animals and more. $15 includes instructions, materials and firing. (941) 359-2773; carlasclay.com

Home Depot Kids Workshops

It’s hammer time for families at Home Depot the first Saturday morning of each month, when you can guide your little ones to build butterfly houses, birdhouses, fire trucks, Valentines mailboxes, wooden tic-tac-toe boards and more. Tool safety is emphasized, of course; plus, participants can keep their kid-size orange workshop aprons. Registration is appreciated, but not mandatory. Three Home Depot locations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. workshops.homedepot.com

Painting with a Twist

Here’s an enjoyable bonding experience for parents and teens (age 15 and up, please): an art class led by a lively instructor who guides you step-by-step through the creation of your own paintings. (941) 822-0357; paintingwithatwist.com/sarasota

Michael’s

And also for parents and their teens and preteens, this craft superstore offers classes on everything from jewelry making to cake decorating and painting. Visit the website for times and dates. classes.michaels.com

North Sarasota Library Kids Zone

All nine Sarasota County libraries offer summer programs, but parents we know tell us the North Sarasota Library’s revamped Kids Zone is a standout. Throughout the summer, arts and crafts programs, story hours, magicians, storytellers and informational talks about various subjects are planned. fl.evanced.info/sclibs/lib/eventcalendar.asp