Try something new

5 unique experiences
in Chicago

Give your curiosity something new to work with. Explore five fun activities in Chicago, starting with a hands-on pottery class. Learn a new skill with an instructor’s guidance and enjoy that proud “I made it!” moment.

Explore the five experiences

Three adults shaping clay by hand at a studio table — unique things to do in Chicago

A little curiosity goes a long way

Five ways to try
something new

Explore fun activities in Chicago that let you learn by doing. Shape clay, make a silver ring, try welding, print your own artwork, or craft a leather wallet. Pick something you’ve never tried and give it a go.

Participants painting handmade pottery — unique things to do in Chicago — Your first try. Your own creation.

Start with a little clay

Try the wheel.
Surprise yourself.

Pottery Studio 1

Feel clay take shape in your hands as you try the pottery wheel and hand-building. Your instructor guides you step by step, helping you learn the basics and shape a bowl, mug, or keepsake. No experience needed—there’s room to experiment and enjoy the process.

No experience needed Guided from your first try

1 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611 Also in Lakeview & West Loop Find your first pottery workshop

Your next first starts here

More unique experiences
in Chicago

Make a silver ring, try welding, print your own artwork, or craft a leather wallet. These fun activities in Chicago introduce you to a new skill, with guidance to help you get started. Bring your curiosity and surprise yourself.

A beginner texturing a silver ring with an instructor — unique experiences in Chicago

02* Silver ring workshop

Ravenswood

Make your first silver ring.

Lillstreet Art Center · Simple Silver Rings

Turn silver wire into something you can wear. Learn to form a ring, solder the joint, hammer in texture, and polish it with an instructor’s guidance. All levels are welcome, so you can start from scratch and finish with a ring that feels like you.

$130 per person

Learn more Show less

Standard tuition is $130; Lillstreet members pay $125. The listed materials fee is $0. Check the next available workshop date before booking.

4401 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

(773) 769-4226

Workshop details

3 hours · All levels · Scheduled dates

This workshop focuses on a simple silver ring made from round wire. Sessions run on selected dates; confirm the next class and participation requirements with Lillstreet.

A new skill. A ring with your own story. lillstreet.com · Simple Silver Rings

A beginner practicing MIG welding beside an instructor — unique things to do in Chicago

03* Beginner welding class

West Town

Make your first sparks count.

Arc Academy · MIG 1

Never tried welding? Start here. Learn the basics, then practice cutting, grinding, and joining metal with an instructor nearby. This small-group class helps you make your first welds and discover the satisfaction of connecting two pieces of steel yourself.

$120 per person

Learn more Show less

$120 for one MIG 1 class. Tools and necessary equipment are provided. The session focuses on learning techniques and making practice welds; a finished take-home project is not listed.

2225 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

(312) 912-8622

info@arcacademy.com

First-class details

2–2.5 hours · Up to 5 students · Ages 10+

Wear a long-sleeved work shirt, heavy long pants, and leather shoes; avoid polyester and nylon. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Book a scheduled MIG 1 session.

First sparks. A whole new sense of “I can.” arcacademy.com/mig-1-class-1

Participants inspecting colorful prints beside a risograph — fun activities in Chicago

04* Risograph printing workshop

West Town

Watch your ideas come off the press.

Spudnik Press · Risography 101

Discover how a risograph turns layers of ink into vibrant artwork. In this introductory workshop, learn about paper, ink density, and aligning layers as your instructor walks you through the process. Leave with your own two-layer print and a fresh appreciation for color.

$130 per person

Learn more Show less

Listed tuition is $130 for the four-hour Risography 101 workshop. Check the current class listing for dates and preparation details.

1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302, Chicago, IL 60622

(312) 563-0302

info@spudnikpress.org

Workshop details

4 hours · Introductory workshop · Scheduled dates

Learn the printer’s basic mechanics as well as the printing process. The listed workshop includes risography authorization and a four-hour Open Studio coupon to use within the following 30 days.

Your ideas, one colorful layer at a time. spudnikpress.org · Risography 101

Beginners assembling and finishing leather wallets with an instructor — unique experiences in Chicago

05* Leather wallet workshop

Pilsen

Make something you’ll reach for daily.

Alexandria Wills · Wallet Making Workshop

Give leathercraft a try in a welcoming small-group workshop. Cut, assemble, and finish your own wallet with step-by-step guidance and room to make it personal. No experience needed—just enjoy learning a new craft and leave with something you can use every day.

$120 per person

Learn more Show less

Includes leather, tools, materials, instruction, personalization options, and your finished wallet. Select an available date through the studio’s workshop page.

1909 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

Workshop details

2 hours · Beginner friendly · Small group

The published session runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Confirm your date, start time, and any participation requirements directly with the studio.

Made by you. Ready for everyday adventures. alexandriawills.com/workshops/walletmaking

Prices are the listed rates for the workshops shown. Confirm current dates, age requirements, taxes, fees, and what’s included before booking.
* AI-generated images illustrate the activities and do not show the actual venues.

Solo visits, private dates & group workshops

Try pottery.
Make it your own.

Discover unique experiences in Chicago through pottery. Join a shared class on your own, book a private date for two, or choose a two-hour private group workshop below.

2 hours

A man shaping clay by hand at a studio table — unique things to do in Chicago — A little clay. A brand-new skill.

Learn to shape clay

Private pottery
workshop

Try the pottery wheel and learn to build by hand. Your instructor guides you through the basics as you shape a bowl, mug, or keepsake of your own. Enjoy your first steps in clay during this two-hour private session. Painting is not included.

$100 / person

Minimum booking: $500.

What you’ll try

A beginner-friendly introduction to working with clay
A project inspired by a sample or your own idea
Step-by-step pottery wheel and hand-building instruction
Shaping your piece and adding your own clay details

Try a pottery workshop

2 hours

A woman painting a handmade clay bowl — fun activities in Chicago — Your first creation, with a splash of color.

Learn to shape and paint

Private pottery
& painting workshop

Try the pottery wheel and hand-building techniques, then paint your creation with colors and designs you choose. Your instructor guides each stage within the two-hour private session. It’s a chance to explore both clay and painting and give your piece a personal finish.

$130 / person

Minimum booking: $500.

What you’ll try

A beginner-friendly introduction to working with clay
A project inspired by a sample or your own idea
Step-by-step pottery wheel and hand-building instruction
Guided painting with your choice of colors and designs

Try pottery + painting

+

Want more time for your group?

Extend either private group workshop for $200 per extra hour.

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Never touched clay? You’re welcome here.

We’ll show you where to start and guide you as you practice. Bring your curiosity and enjoy learning at your own pace.

Coming solo or as a couple?

A woman adding details to a clay bowl at a studio table — fun activities in Chicago — A little time for yourself. Something new to try.

Come on your own

Your time.
Your creation.

Enjoy fun activities in Chicago on your own, starting with pottery. Other guests may be in the studio, and the instructor helps each participant. Choose your project and book a class with or without painting.

Find a class for yourself

A couple decorating clay mugs together — unique experiences in Chicago — A first to share. Something to remember.

A private pottery date

Just you two.
Something new.

Try one of the unique experiences in Chicago together. Your private pottery date includes just the two of you and your instructor, with step-by-step guidance as you shape your own creations.

Plan your pottery date

Your pottery stays with us for firing. We’ll let you know when your handmade creations are ready for pickup.

Make time for unique experiences in Chicago. Start with a little clay and see what you can create.

Book your first pottery class