Create Playdate

Create Playdate is back at the Phoenix Art Museum on Saturday, October 24, as part of a weekly series that runs from October 17 through December 26, 2026. It's the museum's hands-on maker experience for young artists, and it's delivered through a mobile art cart that moves right into the galleries. The whole thing is built around the art on view, so instead of sitting in a separate classroom, you're making things right there in the middle of the collection.

Each week brings a fresh theme based on a specific artwork on view. The session is designed for visitors to make art inspired by what they've just seen, and it comes with kids' projects to extend the fun at home, so the making doesn't have to stop when you leave the museum. If you're visiting with children, it's a good way to turn a gallery walk into something they can actually participate in rather than just look at. The museum also runs a monthly family program that pairs storytelling with art-making for children and their adults, which fits right into the same family-friendly approach.

Logistically, it's an easy one to drop into. The sessions run every Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM, so you can swing by whenever it fits your morning or afternoon. It's included in general admission, and there's no registration required—you just show up. The museum is at 1625 N Central Ave in Phoenix, and since it runs every Saturday through the end of December, you've got plenty of chances to catch it.