Summer is the time to try new things, and this summer in Waco is filled with fun opportunities to learn new skills, find fresh community and take time to create something wonderful! From weekly line dancing lessons for beginners at The Will to getting crafty with summer creations at Hammer and Stain, we don’t want you to miss all the exciting opportunities to stretch your creativity this summer.

Here are 12 places to acquire new skills and new friends around Waco.

1. Arts and Crafts at Hammer and Stain

1225 Richland Drive, Ste. 3
Hammer and Stain offers a plethora of weekly workshops throughout the year to create custom home decor, crafts and thoughtful gifts at its 1- to 2-hour, do-it-yourself guided classes. If you’re looking for a little more freedom to choose your activity and go at your own pace, every Saturday in June is walk-in crafting time from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For those looking for something a little more specific, sign up for one of the public workshops, from knitting chunky blankets and making resin coasters to painting your own ceramic creations and customizing summer doormats. You can keep up with upcoming guided workshops and events on their website and sign up to get creative in community.

2. Designing with Fuzz Lab

1225 Richland Drive, Ste. 1
Fuzz Lab is right next door to Hammer and Stain and perfect for the whole family (you can bring the kiddos!). Learn rug tufting, a rug-making technique using colorful yarn and injecting it into a stretched fabric using a “tufting gun” to create your own design. Fuzz Lab provides an extensive variety of vibrant and bold colored yarns as well as many different shapes and designs to create the perfect rug to match your vibe. They also offer so many other fun crafts, including sneaker painting, drip art and more. Whether you’re looking for a unique date night or a summer activity that is fun for the whole family, Fuzz Lab is a great spot to enjoy creating together.

3. Line Dancing Lessons with Dena

5984 N. State Hwy 6
Speaking of cuttin’ a rug, every Thursday night at The Will of Waco is Line Dancing Lessons with Dena starting at 6 p.m. sharp. Whether you’re experienced at breaking it down or a complete beginner to line dances and dancing in general, now’s the time to be bold and bring out your boots. Learn from the best alongside fellow newbies all before joining in the night’s fun with everyone later into the evening’s music. Entry is just $10 and you can make this part of your weekly routine for fun, exercise and community.

4. Mahjong Lessons at the Arboretum

9001 Bosque Blvd.
Mama Bear Mahjong offers lessons for beginners in the beautiful outdoor scenery of the Carleen Bright Arboretum’s fresh air and gardens. Learn all about how to join in with this trending game that has taken Waco by storm in an uplifting community. The relaxing pace and exciting strategy of the game make for a perfect incubator for conversation and connection. Tickets are $40 for the whole 6–9 p.m. class taking place July 16 and July 21 this month.

5. Mission Waco Fair Trade Workshops

1321 N. 15th St
Stop by the World Cup Cafe and Fair Trade Market for Fair Trade Workshops, educational opportunities to learn more about art forms from around the world and fair-trade principals that influence the market. Workshops can include a variety of fun new skills to learn, from Chiffon Painting this June to Blockprinting with handmade inks this July and Paper Marbling in August. You won’t want to miss these exclusive once-a-month opportunities to join in on the learning for just a $25 registration!

6. Pottery at Black Oak Art

1619 Franklin Ave.
Learn to throw clay or design your own mug at Black Oak’s pottery workshops. Private pottery classes can be booked weekends or weekday evenings, and kids are welcome if they meet the age requirement for that specific workshop. To simply dip your toes in, opt for the Build-A-Mug workshop for a 1-hour guided experience to creating your own first handmade mug. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, dive right into a 2-hour Throwing Workshop, capped at seven students per session to get plenty of time for personalized guidance and the quality of real pottery classes.

7. Quilting and Sewing at Ultimate Sewing Gallery Waco

5188 W. Waco Drive
Work your way up to becoming an expert quilter at Ultimate Sewing Gallery Waco! You can start out in their beginner class, Quilting 101, to master all the basics before working your way through a series of workshops leading up to Quilting 204, where you can dive deeper into the art of quilting by learning to make your own blocks. Go at your own pace and don’t stop entering new classes until your satisfied with your level of quilting expertise. The sewing gallery also offers beginner sewing basics classes for adults and kids of all ages, as well as fun seasonal workshops like their upcoming Christmas in July Quilt Top and apron and tote making workshops. Whether you’re learning to sew for the first time as a practical skillset or looking to adventure deep into a new hobby, Ultimate Sewing Gallery is ready to help with everything from sip and sewing hours to machine consultations.

8. Skill Builders at the Mayborn

1300 S. University Parks Drive
Once a month, the Mayborn Museum hosts Skill Builders, adult-only workshops that are hands-on and beginner-friendly consisting of a variety of different skills to learn and themes to embrace. A great way to get creative in community, these workshops can be anything from sugar cookie decorating (from their most recent workshop), to do-it-yourself dog treats, coming up on August 8, and building your own bat box, coming September 19. Don’t miss out on all the unique skills and opportunities by keeping up with the Wacoan Calendar.

10. Summer at the Silos

601 Webster Ave.
This Summer at the Silos, Magnolia is filled with seasonal crafts, popups, art workshops and more to celebrate the heat and sunshine with some special creating. Sign up for their wooden craft workshop in Craft Corner inside Magnolia Home on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays anytime from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to customize your own fairy house, retro camper, rocket ship, log cabin or castle miniature. Paint and supplies are provided and best of all, the kiddos can join in the fun.
Looking for crafting with a little more nature involved? Take all the inspiration you get from enjoying the gardens around the Silos and put it to use at the Pressed Floral Art Workshop at the Magnolia Herbarium. Learn to press and preserve flowers of your choosing in this 1-hour guided workshop near the gardens.
Both experiences are available a multitude of dates throughout the summer and tickets can be purchased on the Magnolia website.

11. Textiles and Embroidery at the Paper Crown

1501 & 1503 Austin Ave.
The Paper Crown creative hub has a vast selection of embroidery, sewing, felting, painting and creating classes to choose from all designed to help you embrace all the color and whimsy of crafting. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, on June 27 they are offering a chance to create your own patriotic village sculpture, made with polymer clay, fabric embellishments, paper, a glittery star and of course, the American flag. From textile collages and your own “story pouch,” to opportunities to learn to embroider clothes and treasures, these whimsical and professionally guided workshops can last anywhere from one to three days. Sign up for your next creative adventure here.

12. Workshops at the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center

300 N M.L.K. Jr Blvd.
From 3D printing and sushi making, to how-to-bake-cookies for kids, the new STEAM Center exists for providing Waco with unique and easily accessible community programming through a variety of free workshops. You can easily register for classes and events listed on the website calendar. With its wide array of resources, including a full computer lab, robotics, studios, a teaching kitchen and more, the possibilities for future lessons are endless!