Workshop 1
Ages 5 to 7
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Up to 8 kids
$30
A new small-group craft program in Midtown Toronto
Remember when a cardboard box could become almost anything?
The Craft Den brings back that kind of childhood making. Kids use everyday and repurposed materials to cut, paint, build, experiment and follow their own ideas.
It's more than colouring and gluing. It's time to try something, change their mind, make a mess, and make something that's truly theirs.
Low-tech materials. High-creativity making.
Making things the way we used to
The Craft Den is a small-group program where kids learn real crafting skills through hands-on projects.
We use paint, paper, cardboard, glue and the everyday stuff that once became castles, creatures, games and gifts. Kids get clear, step-by-step help, but the creative decisions are theirs.
Some tricky pieces get prepped ahead of time, especially for the younger group. The rest is up to the kids.
- Cutting, painting and building
- Fine-motor practice
- Making their own choices
- Problem-solving with what's on hand
- Sticking with it when it gets tricky
- Something to display, use or give away
Guidance without taking over.
Kids need more chances to make things with their hands
A lot of kids haven't had much chance to practise the basics: cutting, building, choosing materials, and figuring out what to do when something doesn't work the first time.
That's not because parents, teachers or volunteer leaders don't care about creativity. Big groups, busy classrooms and small Toronto homes make this kind of crafting hard to offer.
Most of us don't have room to save 30 paper towel rolls just in case. The Craft Den does the collecting, organizing and explaining, so kids can do the making.
When you're leading twenty kids with a couple of adults, crafts have to be quick and mostly pre-cut, so everyone goes home with the same thing. I do it too, and it has its place. But kids also deserve time to try their own ideas and find out their craft doesn't have to look like everyone else's.
The goal isn't just an hour off screens. It's giving kids the skills and confidence to keep making things after they go home.
The Craft Den's first craft night
Handmade Holiday
A hands-on workshop where kids create and wrap a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special.
In a small group setting, kids get step-by-step help, with plenty of room to make decisions and follow their own ideas.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
240 Manor Road East, Toronto
Come in through the glass doors on Manor Road. They're heavy, so give them a good pull.
Workshop 2
Ages 8 to 11
7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Up to 10 kids
$45
Good to know for both workshops
- It's a drop-off program, with small groups by age
- All materials are included
- Kids are supervised by adults the whole time
- One main project, plus a creative extra if there's time
- Wear comfortable indoor shoes and clothes that can handle a little paint
Spaces are limited because the groups are small on purpose.
Two quick steps to register
Your child's spot is confirmed once both are done.
Pay for your workshop
Pick your child's workshop and pay securely through Square.
Register for Ages 5 to 7 · $30 Register for Ages 8 to 11 · $45Fill in the participant form
One form per child. It covers emergency contacts, health, pickup and photo permission, so we can take good care of your child.
Fill in the participant formBoth steps are needed. A spot isn't held until payment and the form are both in.
Hi, I'm Nicole
I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. Paint, glue, cardboard, whatever was in the recycling bin.
I joined Girl Guides as a Spark, never really left, and became a lifetime member of Girl Guides of Canada. If you've never been to a Guides meeting, here's the secret: there is a lot of crafting. I've led Embers (ages 7 to 9) since 2009, which means a whole lot of Monday nights with a room full of kids, a pile of supplies and a plan.
In my other life, I'm a Recreation Therapist. For close to twenty years I've helped people get back to the things they love doing, and I've seen what making something with your own hands does for a person, at any age.
I'm also a mom. My kids were four and seven when the pandemic hit, so I know how to keep little hands busy with whatever's around the house.
I can walk into a room of twenty-plus kids, get everyone listening, and make sure every single one goes home with something they made. The Craft Den takes all of that and gives it more room: a small group, a full hour, real materials, and time to help every child make it their own.
See you at the craft table.
Questions parents ask
What will my child make?
A special handmade gift. We're keeping the details a surprise, but kids will have lots of choices to make it their own.
Where do we go?
240 Manor Road East, Toronto. Come in through the glass doors on Manor Road. They're heavy, so give them a good pull.
Is it drop-off?
Yes. Sign your child in, then head off. Please stay reachable by phone for the whole workshop. Kids are only released to an authorized pickup person.
Does my child need crafting experience?
Not at all. Everything is taught step by step, with help matched to their age.
What should my child bring?
Just comfortable indoor shoes and clothes that can handle paint or glue. All materials are provided. A washroom stop before drop-off helps too.
What if my child needs extra support?
The Craft Den is a drop-off workshop, and parents and caregivers don't stay. If your child needs one-on-one support to take part safely, please note it on the participant form and we'll contact you before the workshop. In some cases, we may ask that a parent or a caregiver you choose stays with your child.
You're also welcome to reach out before registering to talk it through.
Will there be photos?
Sometimes, to share what the kids make. On the form, you choose whether your child can appear, appear without their face, or not appear at all. Kids are never identified by name.
What's the refund policy?
Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, including for illness, scheduling conflicts, missed attendance, late arrival or early pickup. If The Craft Den cancels a workshop, you'll get a full refund.
Let's get kids making again.
Not because every child needs to be an artist. Because every child deserves the chance to use their hands, trust their ideas, and see what they can make from something ordinary.
Register for November 19Connect. Discover. Create.