Teenagers always love to complain that there’s nothing to do. In response to this age-old complaint, we’d suggest that there’s plenty of evidence to the contrary!
Indeed, there’s no shortage of creative activities in North London that teens can get involved in. Whether it’s arts and crafts or fashion design and drama that they really enjoy, we’ve got you covered.
Creative play also offers a variety of benefits for teens: it’s a great way for them to relieve stress, make new friends and socialise, and improve their problem-solving abilities.
Let’s take a look at some of the best activities for teenagers in North London that will get their creative juices flowing in no time.
1. art-K
Ages: 6-16 years
Areas: Hampstead, Angel, Bowes Park
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 5 reviews on Google
art-K provides a number of inspiring art classes and workshops in Hampstead, Angel and Bowes Park. Teenagers have the chance to carry out a plethora of creative activities, such as painting, drawing and 3D modelling.
art-K currently runs more than 30 clubs across England and has more than 2,000 students. They organise weekly classes during term time, in addition to holiday workshops for kids between the ages of 6-16.
art-K reviews
The Art-K team are great. My daughter has been going there since year 3 of primary school. She’s in secondary school now and she still loves going to Art-K.
I feel very grateful to have such a brilliant after school art club on my doorstep!
What we love about art-K creative activities
Before beginning their projects, the kids do a ‘starter’ activity, designed to improve their visual memory and spatial awareness.
art-K art classes
Weekday courses
In the weekday courses for those aged 6-16, secondary school students work with acrylics as part of their first project. They then get to use watercolours, inks and pastels.
GCSE and A Level art classes
There are also GCSE and A Level art classes that are available during term time. In these classes, students create artwork that relates to their course assignments with the help of the designated Art Leader.
Holiday workshops
In the holiday workshops, teens are invited to use paper sculpture, clay and watercolours. At the end of each session, they get to take their finished project home with them!
Project options
Project options for those above the age of 11 include:
- A Tonal Programme
- Expressionist Eyes
- Printing Projects
art-K art class prices
Weekday children’s art courses (ages 6-16)
- Trial classes in Hampstead start at £21.50
- A full term’s lessons (14 classes) start at £301.00
GCSE and A Level art classes
- Trial classes start at £23.50
- The cost of an entire term is £329.00
Holiday course
- The holiday courses run for a week. Each full day costs £65.00
Where to book art-K art classes
Find an art-K art class near you here, or visit art-K’s website here.
2. Mini Picassos
Ages: 4-16 years
Areas: Kensal Rise
Reviews: 4.9/5 stars from 14 reviews on Google
Mini Picassos is an independent art school that gives classes in painting, drawing and sculpting. The school proclaims that it is the place where kids create masterpieces, and it certainly seems to live up to its billing.
Mini Picassos gives them the professional support that they need to build their artistic skills. The school helps teenagers to reflect on their artistic development by encouraging them to contribute to mature discussions about the art creation process.
Mini Picassos reviews
Thank you Patricia and team for a fantastic art class today. Josh loved it and wants to come back. Brilliantly run.
What we love about Mini Picassos creative activities
The focus of Mini Picassos is very much on traditional art techniques. Teens get to try their hand at a range of different techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture.
Mini Picassos classes
Mini Picassos’s classes cater to kids aged 4-16, and they’re held in the Kensal Rise area. These classes include academic fine art classes for those aged 12-16. Each of these classes lasts one and a half hours.
Mini Picassos also offers private tuition.
Mini Picassos class prices
Autumn term Academic classes
- A 14-week term costs £405.00
Private tuition
- A one-hour trial session is offered at a cost of £85.00
- Tuition thereafter comprises 6 x 60-minute sessions for £510.00
Where to book Mini Picassos classes
Find a Mini Picassos class near you here, or visit Mini Picassos’ website here.
3. Chickenshed
Ages: 11-17 years
Areas: North London
Reviews: 4.7/5 stars from 358 reviews on Google
If your teenager has a passion for the performing arts, you may decide to look instead to the many theatre groups of North London.
Chickenshed is based in Southgate, and it began life in 1974 as an inclusive theatre company. Chickenshed produces several children’s and adult’s theatre productions every year.
Chickenshed reviews
The best place for anyone who has special needs! My daughter is Autistic and the place is a very welcoming place for everyone. Is very inclusive and friendly. Every time she goes there she comes back with a big smile on her face.
What we love about Chickenshed
Teens get the chance to compose their own work and perform it to their peers in a fun, supportive setting. There are also acting projects for young people that are suitable for those aged 11-17, regardless of their theatrical experience.
Chickenshed acting workshops
Autumn term workshops
The Young People’s Acting Project offers a programme of workshops and scripted work over the Autumn term. This will ultimately culminate in a live performance with music, lights and costumes in Spring 2024.
Holiday workshops
Chickenshed runs a series of workshops for young people. These workshops include summer theatre projects for 11-17-year-olds who enjoy writing, performance and music.
Chickenshed acting workshop prices
Sunday Shed session
- The two-hour Sunday Shed session with the Young People’s Acting Project costs £13.00
Summer workshops
- A five-day workshop costs £100.00
Where to book Chickenshed acting workshops
Find a Chickenshed acting workshop near you here, or visit Chickenshed’s website here.
4. Social Pottery
Ages: all ages
Areas: Kentish Town
Reviews: 4.6/5 starts from 464 reviews on Google
If a session of wheel throwing, hand building and creative ceramic work sounds like your teen’s idea of a fun afternoon, Social Pottery might just be what you’re looking for!
Social Pottery is an art & crafts shop that offers a series of lighthearted pottery-making parties for all ages and children’s classes in their studios in Kentish Town.
Social Pottery reviews
Was a great experience, appropriate for both adults and children. The studio was clean, spaced out and a friendly and welcoming environment. The staff: Lisa, Lizzie & Guiseppe were super helpful and informative.
(Yasmin)
What we love about Social Pottery
Social Pottery aspires to create joy through art.
Social Pottery painting and pottery-making classes
Pottery painting
Social Pottery’s pottery painting classes for children run for 90 minutes. Teens are encouraged to choose from a broad selection of pottery items, such as pirates and princesses, in addition to bowls and small plates.
Painting parties
Social Pottery also offers a series of fun painting parties for all ages. These sessions run for an hour and make for a uniquely creative birthday experience.
Daytime pottery painting classes
There are also daytime pottery painting classes that run for an hour and a half. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Social Pottery class prices
Children’s classes
Social Pottery’s classes for children require a £5.00 deposit, and prices start at £17.00
Daytime pottery classes
The daytime pottery classes also require a £5.00 deposit and operate on a ‘pay for what you paint’ basis.
Where to book Social Pottery classes
Find a Social Pottery class on their website here.
5. The Garden Sewing School
Ages: 11-18 years
Areas: Hampstead
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 9 reviews on Google
The Garden Sewing School provides sewing classes in Hampstead for children, teens and adults.
The Garden Sewing School reviews
Great teacher, very supportive and encouraging. The machines and equipment all high quality, and the studio itself is in a lovely garden just off Hampstead High Street. I would definitely recommend.
(Andrea)
What we love about The Garden Sewing School
Teens get to choose from sewing patterns that have been selected by the studio; or, if they wish, bring their own projects to work on. They’ll be granted full access to the school’s sewing machines, overlockers and other equipment and get guidance on the work that they are undertaking.
The Garden Sewing School classes
The Garden Sewing School offers a range of classes for children aged 11-18.
Term-time classes
These sessions run for two hours and last six weeks.
- Sunday Sewing Sessions
- After-school sessions on Mondays
Holiday workshops
There are also Half Term Sewing Sessions comprising three morning sessions. They allow teenagers to use commercial sewing patterns and take an initial design idea through to a wearable garment.
The Garden Sewing School class prices
The Sunday Sewing Sessions
- Cost £280.00.
The after-school sessions
- Cost £240.00.
The Half Term Sewing Sessions
- Available for £180.00.
Where to book The Garden Sewing School classes
Find The Garden Sewing School sewing classes on their website here.
6. Little Hands Design
Ages: 8-18 years
Areas: Gospel Oak
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 31 reviews on Google
Little Hands Design provides classes and holiday camps for children and adults at the London School of Mosaic in Gospel Oak. Little Hands teaches teens a range of skills, such as sewing and design, in a safe, creative environment.
Little Hand Design reviews
My daughter and her friends had a fantastic time at the Little Hands Design new studios. They were all excited by the idea of repurposing material to create handbags and were more than happy with the results.
What we love about Little Hand Design
This design-mad collective is run by a group of designers and dressmakers. One of its distinguishing features is the mindful approach that they take to their work.
Little Hand Design classes
After-school classes
These classes include their after-school courses, which run on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and their Saturday sessions.
The after-school courses, or Young THRIVE Club, as it is better known, are open to those aged 8 and up. Teens are taught how to use sewing machines, how to repair and mend clothes and how to make accessories.
Your teen will gain access to a 14-week term of practical, hands-on design sessions with like-minded wannabe fashionistas.
Holiday workshops
At the Summer Fashion Camps, kids aged 8-18 are taught a range of design skills, from measuring and cutting to redesigning existing garments.
These courses run from Monday-Friday, from 9:30-3:30.
Little Hand Design class prices
Young THRIVE Club
- The after-school courses cost £216.00 for a 14-week term.
The Saturday Fashion Classes
- Costs £288.00 for a 14-week term.
The Summer Fashion Camps
- Costs £310.00 for one week.
Where to book Little Hand Design classes
Find a Little Hand Design class near you here, or visit Little Hand Design’s website here.
7. Wac Arts
Ages: 4-30 years
Areas: Hampstead
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars from 176 reviews on Google
Wac Arts is a community arts centre based in Hampstead. They provide a range of classes in acting, animation, art and design and musical theatre, amongst others.
There are also plenty of workshops and projects for those aged 4-30, with sessions in both the evenings and during the weekends.
These performing arts classes include animation classes for those aged 11-15, which focus on bringing characters to life and stop motion movement techniques, and drama classes for those in the same age range.
Wac Arts reviews
Great initiative. Thanks to the community for coming together and preserving it for future generations.
(Mo A)
What we love about Wac Arts
Wac Arts prides itself on running inclusive arts programmes for young people. This is reflected in the specialised classes that they offer to those with learning disabilities.
Wac Arts classes
Animation classes
These classes encourage teens, aged 11-15, to explore how 2D and 3D techniques can be used to make captivating films,
Art & Design classes
Kids aged 8-14 are encouraged to come up with their own design ideas and compositions.
Wac Nites
Wac Arts’ classes for those with mild/moderate learning disabilities (‘Wac Nites’) run on Wednesday evenings during term time, and they are designed for young people aged 9-30.
These inclusion classes are available for three age groups:
- 9-12 years
- 13-17 years
- 18-30 years
Ignite
Their classes for 13-17-year-olds are called Ignite, and they are held on Wednesdays from 18:30-20:30. These sessions work through a variety of skills, including acting, dance, filmmaking and animation.
Holiday workshops
Wac Arts also runs three-week programmes over the summer. These include classes in Performing Arts, Creative & Digital Arts, and Musical Theatre for teenagers.
Breakfast is provided, and there’s also an after-class cinema club – a real treat!
Wac Arts prices
Wac Arts offers bursary support for those who are in care, are full-time carers or who have parents in receipt of universal credit.
Term-Time Classes
- The Animation and Art & Design classes cost £4.00 per 90-minute class.
Wac Nites (Wednesday evening classes)
- The Ignite classes for those aged 13-17 cost £5.00 for two hours.
Holiday Club
- During the holidays a half-day class is £65.00 per week, and a full-day class is £130.00 per week.
Where to book Wac Arts classes
Find a Wac Arts class on their website here.
8. Drama Queens
Ages: all ages
Areas: Queens Park
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 2 reviews on Google
Drama Queens is a small company that provides weekly drama workshops in Kilburn, Queens Park and Kensal Rise.
These fun drama classes help young people develop their acting and performance skills, and they’re also a good way for them to make friends with like-minded people their own age.
Drama Queens reviews
I’ve sent both my children to Dramaqueens for both holiday and term time drama classes and they loved it. Liz and the staff really care about what they’re doing and deliver a personal and highly professional service year after year which really helped my kids.
I can’t rate Dramaqueens highly enough – head and shoulders above the competition. Brilliant!
(C Sharp)
What a magnificent organisation, I can’t recommend them highly enough! We signed up my seven year old son for one term and he has been transformed into a confident and happy young man, desperate to go back again!
What we love about Drama Queens
At the end of each term, they put on a show; they recently performed at the London Fringe, in The Canal Café Theatre in Little Venice!
Drama Queens classes
Drama Teens
Drama Queens’ classes for teenagers (Drama Teens) run after school on Wednesdays at Malorees Primary School in Queens Park.
These sessions run from 17:30-19:00.
LAMDA Syllabus
In the summer term, teens work with the LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) syllabus. These drama exams are an assessment of speaking and general performance skills, and there are also optional exams in acting, public speaking and musical theatre.
Drama Queens boasts an impressive 100% pass rate, with lots of teens earning a Distinction grade.
Drama Queens’ classes for teens are run by professional actors and directors, all of whom have been DBS checked.
Drama Queens prices
An 11-week term with Drama Teens costs £181.00.
Where to book Drama Queens classes
Find a Drama Queens class on their website here.
9. Angel Shed Theatre Company
Ages: 10-19 years
Areas: Islington
Reviews: 4.9/5 stars from 22 reviews on Google
Angel Shed Theatre Company provides youth theatre classes in the Islington area for those aged 13-19, in addition to music collective classes for 12-19-year-olds and dance company classes for 10-19-year-olds.
Angel Shed Theatre Company reviews
My children are members of Angel Shed Theatre Company. Angel Shed never ceases to amaze me with their outstanding productions.
What we love about Angel Shed Theatre Company
Angel is another theatre company that prides itself on its values of inclusivity and diversity.
They promote the use of accessible language when speaking and support the use of Makaton, a communication tool that enables people with learning disabilities to communicate.
They also provide ‘break out’ stations for young people in their workshops that help them relax and focus; and make an effort to adapt their exercises to different needs and ages.
Find out more here.
Angel Shed Theatre Company classes
Angel’s Youth Theatre 2 group
In Angel’s Youth Theatre 2 group, teens get the chance to tackle the more difficult performing arts skills in the youth theatre classes, including delivering monologues, physical theatre and directing.
These classes aspire to create a safe space for teens in which they can express themselves and grow in confidence. One-to-one support is provided, and anyone is welcome to participate in the action.
These classes run from 19:30-21:00 on Thursdays.
Angel Shed Theatre Company prices
Youth Theatre 2 group
- Membership is on a pay-what-you-can basis, and there are also places available free of charge.
Where to book Angel Shed Theatre Company classes
Find an Angel’s Youth Theatre 2 group class on their website here.
10. Jacksons Lane Arts Centre
Ages: 4-18 years
Areas: Barnet, Haringey, Tottenham, Wood Green, Edgware
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars from 473 reviews on Google
For our final entry, we’re going to take a trip to the circus. Jacksons Lane Youth Circus, or JL Circus, is an energetic community of young people with a passion for circus and drama activities.
Jacksons Lane Arts Centre reviews
Fantastic venue with really good performing arts acts and classes
What we love about Jacksons Lane Arts Centre
JL Circus’s workshops are free and open to young people aged 4-18. These classes are held across Barnet and Haringey, and teens get to try their hand at stilt-walking, plate-spinning and a range of solo and teamwork activities.
Jacksons Lane Arts Centre circus classes
Circus classes
- Mondays, from 17:15-18:30, in Tottenham for 13-18-year-olds.
- Wednesdays from 17:30-19:00, in Wood Green for 13-18-year-olds.
- Fridays from 17:00-18:15, in Edgware for 9-13-year-olds.
Workshops
The workshops are delivered free of charge, and they’re given by professional circus artists.
Jacksons Lane Arts Centre circus class prices
All classes and workshops are free.
Where to book Jacksons Lane Arts Centre classes
Find out more about the Jacksons Lane Arts Centre circus classes on their website here.
There’s a wide range of creative activities for teenagers to enjoy in North London, from painting and pottery-making to circus and drama activities!
Find more creative activities for teens
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