Kids' Art Classes
in Santa Cruz, California
Welcome to Art, Milk & Cookies, the creative test classroom of Emma Tipping Studios. I launched this program in 2025 to give Santa Cruz kids a place to build their creative community while learning the fundamentals of art through engaging, well-designed and entertaining experiences. Our classes combine big ideas with a cozy, caring environment, where every child can experiment, grow confidence, forge friendships and make a joyful mess.
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Art classes that focus on fun... and fundamentals.
At Art, Milk & Cookies, every season brings a fresh menu of classes designed for kids to build their artistic skills and become stronger creatives, all while having lots of fun.
Here are just a few of the classes and curriculums that we offer:
Graphic Novel Studio (Graphic novels and comics)
Afterschool Coloring Party (Color theory & technique)
Story Garden (Illustration)
Character Design (Concepting)
Sculpting with Color (Color theory and 3D art)
and more!
All of our classes teach important art fundamentals and creative confidence through engaging projects and experiences that kids love. Also, all of our afterschool classes begin with a healthy snack and end with clean-up time followed by milk and cookies! We believe in nourishing kids' bodies, giving them a comfortable space where they can be their best selves, and enjoying small rewards for a job well done.
Sign up for our mailing list to hear all about upcoming classes when they become available!
What Is Art, Milk and Cookies?
Art, Milk & Cookies is the creative test classroom of Emma Tipping Studios, based right here in Santa Cruz, California. It’s where Emma (that's me!) experiments with new curriculum, art kits, and teaching methods before sharing them with schools and families around the country. The name says it all: we believe that true creativity nourishes and connects. Every class blends high-quality materials, imaginative challenges, and a warm sense of community. We believe that kids learn best when they feel cared for.
Behind each project is a deeper purpose: developing focus, confidence, and creative independence. Students explore topics like color theory, design thinking, visual storytelling, and art history, all through hands-on projects made for little hands.
And yes, there are actual milk & cookies!
Our afterschool classes begin with a healthy snack and end with clean-up time followed by milk and one small cookie. We believe in nourishing kids' bodies, giving them a comfortable space where they can be their best selves, and enjoying small rewards for a job well done.
"True creativity should nourish and connect."
About Emma Tipping
Santa Cruz Children’s Book Author, Illustrator & Arts Educator
Emma Tipping is a Santa Cruz-based children’s illustrator and arts educator known for her playful, inclusive approach to teaching creativity. Her illustrations appear in picture books for young learners, and her classroom practice is rooted in the same belief that guides her work: art is an amazing tool to help children connect and learn about the world around them.
Emma has been a small business owner in the arts and arts educator in Santa Cruz for over a decade. Most notably, Emma owned and operated CaliCaricature, the caricaturing concession on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for 11 years. There, she trained and launched new artists every year onto their journeys as professional artists.
Excited to get back to working with kids and families, Emma sold CaliCaricature to one of artists who went through her training program, and opened her own creative studio in Santa Cruz (Emma Tipping Studios). This new studio has a focus on creating products, services and experiences that solve problems for families through art.
Emma combines her professional art background with child-centered teaching methods to help every student feel like a real artist. All of her curriculums, projects and teaching methods are designed to help kids learn the skills necessary to make it as a creative and an artist in the modern context, all while having fun and making work they are proud of!
When she’s not teaching, Emma designs kids’ art kits and writes about creativity, family life, and hands-on learning.
Getting Creative with Kids & Solving Problems for Families!
At Art, Milk and Cookies, we love getting artsy with rad creative kids. But our REAL secret mission is to solve problems for families. That's right! We believe that the best way to raise healthy, happy kids, is to do everything we can to strengthen and support the families that raise them. That's why at Emma Tipping Studios and Art, Milk and Cookies, we approach our curriculums and our products with the question- how does this solve a problem for families.
Do you have bored kids stuck at home on a Saturday morning while mom and dad rest from a long week at work? Check out our art videos on YouTube!
Do your kids need MORE creative outlets and opportunities to build their artistic skills? Oh, and would it be nice to extend the school day for a few hours while we are at it? Sign up for our afterschool classes!
Are you confused about which art supplies your kids need for their age and developmental level? No sweat! We thoughtfully curate all of the art kits that come with workshop and class sign ups.
Is your artsy kid BORED TO DEATH by all their other school subjects? Don't worry, we got you! Our interdisciplinary curriculums USE ART to help kids fall in love with other important subjects. Reading comprehension, project management skills, history, geometry, sorting, counting, spelling and more!
We are here to HELP YOU raise healthy, happy kids in a way that feels joyful and easy.
"We are here to help you raise healthy, happy kids in a way that feels joyful and easy."
Stay in the Loop
(Locals Only 🦈😉)
We keep our local events private and personal, just for Santa Cruz families.Sign up below to get updates about new art classes, pop-up workshops, and family art events. Subscribers receive first access to registration, exclusive discounts, and the inside scoop on creative happenings around town.
👉 Join our mailing list to hear about our art classes!
We’ll only email you about our Santa Cruz kids' art classes, workshops, and other Art, Milk & Cookies events.
Partnering with
Santa Cruz Parks and Rec
Classes are currently offered in collaboration with Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation and hosted at multiple locations including:
Bay View Elementary School, Westlake Elementary School, London Nelson Community Center and more.
We look forward to adding more Santa Cruz locations as our creative community grows! Check out the latest Santa Cruz Parks & Rec activity guide and join our newsletter to find out about upcoming classes and events.