Smartypants

Inside a cool North Portland art studio that’s just for little kids. If you are looking for a fun alternative to the park or the zoo, check this place out.

I am now the parent of a toddler.  This is an adjustment both emotionally (She’s not a baby anymore!!!) and physically (I need activities to wear her out!).  She has been showing lots of interest in painting lately so I decided to give Smartypants a try.  It’s a little art studio in North Portland for kids age 1-10 and we had a wonderful time during our visit.

The focus is on creativity and exploration not on completing projects and it was so refreshing.  The admission price is a little high at $12/kid, but in the end I found it to be worth the money.  The studio is divided into 8-12 stations, each with a different kid of activity: painting, clay, playdough, glue/collage, light table, rainbow rice and flubber.  We tried out all the stations, but painting was by far her favorite, with a cardboard castle as her canvas.  All the others were fun too, expect the collage area.  Two year olds do not understand what glue is yet.

There were a lot of todders the day we went, but some older kids too and it was cool to see Brigitte painting alongside the big kids.  Everyone was having fun together.  By the time we did everything were were there for about 90 minutes.   That is a REALLY long time for a 2-yeear-old!  There is also a little lounge area for kid snack time or parents coffee breaks (They offer free coffee and tea for adults!)

Overall I LOVED this place and I’m sure we will be back a few times a year.   It’s great for rainy days, but I also noticed they have an outdoor play area too.  It was a great experience for both of us.  So if you have little ones, give it a try sometime.  Happy painting!

SMARTYPANTS PDX
5512 N. MONTANA
WEEKDAYS 9-6, WEEKENDS 9-4
CLOSED TUESDAYS