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waitlist aug 21

art and steam club for creative kids

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Help your child discover their inner artist and inventor

TinkerLab's online art and steam club offers kids the tools to think like artists and inventors. Choose from hundreds of projects, gather supplies, watch short-format inspiration videos, and then create! Original ideas and interpretations are always encouraged.

as seen in

TinkerLab.com, TinkerLab books, and founder Rachelle Doorley have been featured in or partnered with numerous blogs, museums, schools, libraries, and magazines.

waitlist aug 21
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kid-tested

Our activities are tested for ages 3+, with extensions built in to accommodate different interests and levels of learners.

parent-approved

With our plan in place, our community raves about the fun and easily accessible activities, with detailed guides that include supply lists, directions, a weekly magazine, and videos.

child-led

Say goodbye to cookie-cutter crafts. From ideation to reflection, our prompts and activities are designed to encourage children to think like artists and inventors.

The Secret To  
Creative and Curious  
Kids.
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We'll give you the tools to create and invent after breakfast. with friends. in the kitchen. before dinner. on rainy days. after school. outside. with family.

Engaging process art and science activities for curious kids.

Arrange engaging hands-on ideas

(even if you don’t feel artistic)

  • looking for fresh creative ideas?

    Are you exhausted by YouTube searches, overwhelmed by Pinterest, or tired of hunting down creative activities for your child? We have your back with a hub of filled with hundreds kid-friendly creative prompts that are fun, easy, and engaging.

  • overwhelmed and not sure where to begin??

    You want to get your child involved at the maker table, but you don't know where to start. Does finding a project, figuring it out, and then prepping it stress you out before you even start? We do all the planning for you so all you have to do is set out supplies and watch creativity unfold.

  • nothing seems to hold their attention?

    You want to get your child involved but nothing seems to hold their attention. They struggle to stay focussed and it's hard to come up with ideas that keep them interested. TinkerLab's teaching philosophy is based on current educational research that puts the child in a position to imagine, explore, experiment, create, and reflect. Our methodology encourages children to follow curiosities so that they are confident learners with self efficacy and motivation.

  • could you use a cheerleader?

    You want be the parent who doesn't hesitate to lay out paints and glue at a moments notice, and you could use some tips to help you get started with process art, tinkering, building, science, and hands-on making. We've worked with thousands of parents just like you and are ready to give you the tools you need to make magic happen at your tinkering table.

Set up fun activities with a plan in hand.

elementor #34162
  • get organized
    We’ll share a reliable plan of creativity-boosting activities that are affordable, fun, and easy to set up.
  • build new habits
    Build a maker habit that brings your child back to the maker table over and over again.
  • guide your child's creative learning
    Watch your child paint, draw, make, experiment, and build with confidence and independence.
  • be in good company
    Join an encouraging private group of parents and educators who care about childhood creativity, and are there to support your journey.

introducing,

sh waitlist

Build a Creative Habit with weekly art and STEAM prompts. For children 3-8.

waitlist aug 21

How it works

waitlist aug 21

join the membership

Just takes a moment to sign up and you'll get access to your hub of art and science activities. Starting at $23/month.

join tinkerlab membership - birthday sale

explore the hub

Refer to the weekly calendar of creativity-boosting prompts or access our choose-your-own adventure library.

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experiment and create

Try different prompts: experiment, play, invent, and explore. Watch your child's imagination and curiosity unfold.

What makes Schoolhouse unique?

TinkerLab Schoolhouse is the only art and STEAM creativity membership that teaches families how to set up hands-on experiences, offers hundreds of developmentally appropriate videos, and delivers weekly project plans.

  • Activity calendars and supply lists to keep you focused and save you time.
  • Monthly activity videos and printable lessons.
  • Creative workshops on topics such as how to set up a home maker space and tips on tackling art messes.
  • Built-in Facebook support group and accountability.
  • Simple materials that won’t cost a fortune.
  • Vault of projects, resources, and printables to help you develop your creative habit.

What's inside TinkerLab Schoolhouse?

Explore hundreds of art and STEAM prompts that connect to multiple interests and curiosities.

Examples of what you'll find inside the hub:

join tinkerlab membership wl22

What you'll have access to:

TinkerLab Schoolhouse is the leading creativity hub for developing childhood curiosity and imagination.

Monthly value of TinkerLab Schoolhouse: $4850

  • Art and STEAM video & pdf library (value $3000)

    Choose your own adventure from an easy-to-search library of activities for all ages and interests. Topics cover collage, design, drawing, engineering, fiber, math, painting, photography, printmaking, process art, science, and sculpture. Fill your pantry with basic supplies and you’ll never be at a loss for ideas. Loaded with set-up tips, Extend it! Ideas, and teaching that encourages kids to think outside the box.

  • Weekly activity calendars (value $200)

    We'll send you a weekly organized blueprint that includes a planner, materials checklist, and designed magazine to inspire your whole week. The thoughtfully curated art or STEAM activities come with a complete materials checklist, downloadable PDF activity sheet, “Extend It” ideas to stretch the activity for kids who want to try more, and fun short-format videos that kids can watch on their own or with their favorite grown-up.

  • TinkerLab 101 (value $400)

    TinkerLab Creative Journey - a getting started series that helps you go from overwhelm to comfortable creating. We'll cover everything from setting up your makerspace to developmental ages and stages.

  • Creativity Workshops (value $1000)

    Deep dive workshops with Rachelle and/or guest teachers that cover topics such as How to Set up Invitations to Create, How to Talk to Children about their Art, Process vs. Product Art, and Setting up a Creative Space for Kids.

  • Creative Community (value $100)

    Connect with other families and educators who are also on a tinkering, making, process art journey with an interest in raising creative kids. Swap ideas and get inspiration in this welcoming group.

  • bonus #1: playlists (value $100)

    Kid-friendly Curated Spotify Playlists to create with (a member favorite)

  • bonus #2: recipes (value $50)

    Tried and True Dough and Sensory Recipes

  • PLUS the BIGGEST benefit: Creativity Mindset! (value priceless)

    We’ll make sure you don’t get stuck when you’re hit with moments of perfectionism or overwhelm from art-making messes. You need someone rooting for you with reminders about why this work is so important.

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tinkerlab's 
teaching & learning 
philosophy

If you believe that problem solving is more important than having the right answer, projects can be tackled in more than one way, and it's important for kids to feel comfortable making and building things, then you'll feel right at home in our Schoolhouse.

What our members say:

"I love how Schoolhouse invites more creativity for my daughter. What she makes and does is really her idea and not some pre-made project. The creative activities are fun. We are all enjoying them and they are now a daily activity. And I’ve learned to let go of the results. If I’m not focussed on the outcome we can enjoy the process more."
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Laurien V.
tinkerlab member, the netherlands
"My family and I love TinkerLab Schoolhouse. The projects are perfect for engaging and inspiring our kids. We’ve loved making play dough, painting stuffed animals and creating frozen worlds. Rachelle and Scott have created a wonderful creators’ space, with fantastic ideas, warm encouragement, and inspiring playlists. TinkerLab Schoolhouse has helped our kids stay positive through lockdown."
join tinkerlab membership wl22
Jill W
tinkerlab member, UK
"Not only do we have long-lasting beautiful artwork, we also have deeper connection and memories. Join Schoolhouse - you can participate as little/much as you like, you can access the materials in a linear or non-linear way - it's like an incredible choose-your-own-learning-adventure that is thoughtfully prepared and embedded in learning theory that makes it both accessible and meaningful."
join tinkerlab membership wl22
stephanie k
tinkerlab member, Canada
"I've appreciated being a member of TinkerLab and I hope you do yourself (and the child/children in your life) the favor of enrolling. You will not be disappointed... seriously, it's like finding a treasure trove of really fun stuff, every week, in your email's in-box. 😉 In a "time is money" world that we live in, the membership cost is actually quite economical if you were to consider how much time/energy YOU would need to put in to researching all of what Rachelle has already compiled for us, in the Tinkerlab members area."
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Katherine J.
tinkerlab member, USA

Frequently asked questions

What ages is this for?

The Schoolhouse sweet spot is early childhood (ages 3-8). Most of the prompts are open-ended and exploratory, making them accessible and friendly for families with younger children, children of multiple ages, and older children who enjoy exploring and tinkering.  

When does it start?

You’ll gain access to your hub as soon as you sign up. Once you enroll, we’ll send you an email with your login details.

How long will I have access to the materials?

You’ll have access to Schoolhouse as long as your membership is active. 

Can you describe the activities?

The activities are EASY to set up, even if you don’t consider yourself creative. The wide range of art, science, and tinkering projects are designed as starting points for further discovery, and leave room for experimentation, ideation, and creativity. It’s all grounded in best practices so your child has fun while they learn and grow. Each activity comes with a downloadable PDF, short-format video (+ transcript) that you can watch with your child or that they can watch independently. Families who don’t want to access video can still have a rich Schoolhouse experience with PDFs alone. Some of our members keep activity binders for children to flip through and select activities on their own time. 

How can this help us build a creative habit?

When you join Schoolhouse we’ll invite you to work through exercises that can help you establish a creative habit. Building on that, each week we’ll send you a curated calendar with 5 prompts (plus a supply list and tips for success). If building a creative habit is important to you, set aside time to try at least one prompt each week and you’ll be on your way to developing more creative confidence. For families who would rather choose their own adventure, pick and choose from our growing library and go at your own pace. Implement as you learn and take as much time as you need. 

What supplies will we need?

We like to keep things simple and our focus is largely on basic materials like crayons, markers, paper, watercolor paint, playdough (we’ll give you an easy DIY recipe), and household supplies, so you won’t have to dig deep into your pocket to join in. Every now and then we’ll introduce more unique materials because they’re fun. When possible, we’ll share alternative supplies for these items. 

Can I share a membership with my classroom or with other families?

TinkerLab Schoolhouse is designed for families to use with their child or children at home. One membership per family. The home membership is not designed for classrooms, art classes, art studios, businesses, or to be shared by multiple families.

Teachers, art studio owners, or playgroup leaders: Please email us at rachelle at tinkerlab dot com and we can set up a classroom membership for you (extra fees apply).

What if I don't consider myself creative?

We welcome makers with all skills and have helped so many parents who were new to making. Our simple projects carve a clear and easy path to open-ended making, and our four-stage TinkerLab Journey will help you develop the creative skills you need to support your child along the way.

Do you stand behind a guarantee?

We’re happy if you’re happy. Schoolhouse is risk-free. If it’s not a good fit, email us within 7 days for your money back. Once you’re a paying member, you can cancel at any time and will only pay for the current billing cycle. 

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! We recognize that some families can use extra help and we don’t want anyone to get left behind for lack of resources. If you’re facing financial hardship, scholarships are available. Apply here.

Join the Waitlist:

100% Satisfaction guaranteed

enroll

If you're happy, we're happy. Try Schoolhouse risk-free. If it's not a great fit, cancel within 7 days and you won't pay anything. Once you're a paying member, you can cancel at any time and will only pay for the current billing cycle.

How do you help a child find their creative voice?

I can help. I'm Rachelle Doorley, Ed.M., Arts in Education

I have taught thousands of children how to connect with their inner voice at the maker table, and I can teach your child, too, in TinkerLab Schoolhouse.

I have a masters in Arts Education from Harvard, I’m the author of three best-selling books on childhood creativity, and I’ve been an art and STEAM teacher for over 20 years. Throughout my career in arts education, my mission has always been to help children pay attention to what lights them up while following their curiosities. 

When children can experiment, explore, imagine, and play, they become fuller versions of themselves. Perfectionist tendencies fall away to risk-taking, uncertainty is replaced with confidence, and fear is taken over by joy!

Join me in Schoolhouse and discover how liberating it can feel to help your child connect with their innate creativity.

waitlist aug 21