A Typical Day at SPARK Studio Art & Design Holiday Camp
Families often ask what a full day at SPARK Studio actually looks like. While each day of camp brings new materials, prompts, and creative challenges, our holiday camp follows a consistent rhythm that helps kids feel grounded, excited, and free to explore.
Here’s what a typical day looks like for campers ages 6–11.
Before Care (7:00–8:00am, Optional)
Campers enrolled in before care ease into the morning with calm, low-pressure activities like:
drawing and coloring
simple craft stations
quiet table-based making
This time is designed to help kids arrive comfortably and settle into the day at their own pace.
Arrival & Creative Warm-Up (8:00–8:30am)
As campers arrive, we begin with short creative warm-ups that spark curiosity without pressure. These might include:
quick drawing prompts
playful imagination challenges
collaborative doodles or mini-builds
Kids are welcomed into the space, materials are introduced, and creative energy starts flowing.
Welcome Circle & Community Building (8:30–8:45am)
We gather briefly as a group to:
welcome everyone
talk through what to expect from the day
play a short icebreaker or imagination game
Morning Studio Block: Focused Creative Exploration (8:45–10:00am)
Our first long studio block is where kids dive into deeper creative work. Depending on age and interest, campers may explore different prompts or materials, such as:
imagination-driven building challenges
drawing and sketching from observation or memory
storytelling through visual art
early versions of cardboard structures or sculptural forms
Teaching artists guide kids through creative thinking tools like idea splicing, what-if questions, and divergent thinking, helping them push ideas further without rushing toward a finished product.
Morning Snack & Free Play (10:00–10:30am)
Campers enjoy a fresh fruit snack and a chance to reset. Kids can:
chat with friends
move their bodies
continue light creative play
Late Morning Studio Block: Expanding Ideas (10:30–11:30am)
After snack, kids return to making with new energy. This block often includes:
building larger or more complex structures
translating stories into physical forms
collaborating with peers
revising or expanding earlier ideas
Here, we practice iteration — trying something, adjusting it, and trying again.
Movement Break (11:30am–12:00pm)
Creativity needs movement! We take a break for:
outdoor play at a nearby park (weather permitting), or
indoor movement games and stretch breaks
Lunch & Restorative Creative Time (12:00–1:00pm)
Campers eat lunch brought from home, followed by a quieter creative block. Options might include:
sketching or zentangles
coloring or calm craft activities
story time or quiet reading
This slower pace supports regulation and recharging.
Afternoon Studio Block: Making, Building & Play (1:00–2:15pm)
The afternoon studio block is often when ideas really take off. Kids may:
return to ongoing projects
combine ideas with peers
explore new materials or constraints
build, rebuild, and refine
This is a joyful, energetic time full of experimentation and collaboration.
Clean-Up & Showcase (2:15–2:45pm)
We wind down the day by:
tidying the studio together
sharing works-in-progress (optional)
celebrating creative risks and discoveries
There’s no pressure to “finish.” We honor creativity as a process, rather than focusing on an end product.
Departure (2:45–3:00pm)
Campers head home with ideas buzzing and projects safely stored to continue the next day.
After Care: Open Creative Time (3:00–4:00pm, Optional)
What Changes Across the Four Days?
While the daily rhythm stays consistent, each day introduces:
new creative prompts
new materials or constraints
opportunities to revisit and deepen ideas
Over four days, kids have time to develop ideas slowly, take creative risks, collaborate, and build confidence in their own thinking.
What Kids Take With Them
Along with their creations, campers leave with:
practical creativity tools they can use anywhere
confidence starting when the path isn’t clear
experience revising ideas instead of tossing them
joy in imaginative, collaborative work
Ready to Join Us This Holiday Season?
SPARK Studio Art & Design Holiday Camp is a four-day creative experience for Chicago kids ages 6–11, designed to build real creativity skills through joyful, hands-on making.
Camp dates: December 22–23 & 29–30
Location: Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney (Bucktown / Sheffield Neighbors)
Tuition: Honor-system sliding scale
Care: Optional before & after care available
Spots are limited and camp begins soon.
