Artbeat Arlington in Arlington, MA 02474

Your kids will get the beat, the art workshops, the birthday parties, and the fun at Artbeat, the Creativity Store.

Artbeat is a specialty art supply store, with a great selection of rubber stamps and pads, collage materials, do-it-yourself kits (including Klutz art kits), silk paints, watercolors, looms, and creative gifts.

Walk-In Studio hours are available anytime during business hours, except when birthday parties or workshops are in progress. Children ages four and up are welcome, and patrons can choose to make a project from a list that includes picture frames, mache animals, masks, and more. It's always a good idea to check ahead of time for space availability, and groups of three or more should make reservations. Instruction is always free. You pay for materials, most of which cost $12-$18 per project. Gift-making workshops are held every Saturday afternoon at 3pm year round.

Artbeat also hosts birthday parties for children ages five through the teens. Parties include one hour of craft time to complete a project from Artbeat's list (keepsake boxes, sand art, rolled beeswax candles, and more). Children receive guided instruction. One half hour is allotted for refreshments.

Because the studio is small, refreshments should be relatively simple. Cake works, but there is no freezer for ice cream. We suggest you bring ice cream cups or pops in a cooler, if ice cream is a must-have. Juice boxes are handy and keep clutter to a minimum.

Party planning is made simple. Artbeat provides the invitations (you send them out), helium balloons, and party bags with favors.

Party goers should be old enough to focus on a project for the full hour. All birthday activity takes place in the studio; wandering out to the store area is not permitted.