Let me introduce you to the glitter-dusted, paint-splattered state of New Jersey, a land brimming with colors so vibrant, it makes even the rainbow look like a black and white rerun! The Garden State, as it's fondly called, is a canvas to countless kids who love to dive headfirst into the flamboyant world of Arts & Crafts. Meet our imaginary character, Doodle McDazzle, a funny, googly-eyed, paintbrush-wielding critter, who hops around the city, leaving a trail of creativity wherever he goes. Doodle lives in the bustling heart of New Jersey, in a house made of Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and a roof of felt paper. In the morning, he brushes his teeth with glitter toothpaste, uses a comb made of colored pencils, and eats a breakfast of crayon croissants! The children of New Jersey are just as creative as Doodle McDazzle. Armed with tubes of glue, paint pots, and a limitless imagination, they are little wizards, transforming everyday objects into magnificent art. They can turn a simple rock into a cuddly pet, a toilet paper roll into a super telescope, or even a shoebox into a spectacular spaceship! The spirit of New Jersey thrives in these young artists, their hands as busy as honey bees, their minds buzzing with creative energy. They paint the town, quite literally, with their imagination, their laughter echoing in the air. For they believe, as Doodle McDazzle often says, "Art and Crafts isn’t just about making things, it's about making things FUN!" And that's the colorful, crafty, and wonderfully wacky world of Art & Crafts in New Jersey!
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.
When adults come to an art class, we find the main obstacle to producing meaningful art is self imposed doubt. Whereas, in children's art classes, fears and doubts don't even exist. Children marvel at play with the colors, shapes, and processes available to them. This zest for creating and persistent curiosity is an essential training for all artists, amateur or professional. Only when we are free to let creation flow through us, can we actually be “truthful” in our art. Once you know what you want to create, the next part of the journey is honing our skills and techniques. This takes time, dedication, and practice. We offer classes for both kids and adults to help you achieve the skills and inspiration to make your art come alive!
Family programs provide opportunities for kids and their caregivers to share experiences that include hands-on artmaking, storytelling, and guided exploration of our galleries and gardens. In addition to a wide spectrum of informal drop-in experiences and activities throughout the year, GFS presents ongoing programs for children and their caregivers: Tots For Sculpture and Family Open Studios.