Art ala Carte

I am always looking for new, fun, kid-friendly things to do here in Portland and they seem to be never ending.  This place is just so cute and kid friendly.  I found a Groupon for a place called Art ala Carte and they have such a cute concept. They have taken old salad bars and turned them into art supply buckets.  You get your cafeteria tray and go pick out what you want to make art with.  Buttons, googley eyes, feathers, old toys, pasta ... the list goes on and on.  They have paints and glue, all kinds and sizes of paper, fabrics and glitter.  It is a kid's dream room.  The only rule there is that parents cannot direct the art project.  They encourage creative thinking and independent work.  As a teacher, I can't think of anything better!  Maddie got her tray of stuff and got started. 

If all of that wasn't good enough, they even put Evelyn in a high chair and gave her a bunch of finger paints just to paint all over the tray with.  Can you believe that?!  Evelyn was a BIG fan of this. 

Our little Picasso.

You can stay as long as you want and make as many pieces of art as you want.  We left with both 2 and 3 dimensional art.  We may have to go back one day for "Messy Madness" when they let babies paint in their diapers on paper all over the floor.  They must end up totally covered in it.  I will have to work my way up to that, I think.  :)  We will be back to Art ala Carte!