Must-Try Creative Classes & Workshops in Jacksonville, FL
Are you looking for the best creative workshops in Jacksonville, FL? Are you DIY classes? Read on for all my experiences in Jacksonville!
This post contains affiliate links. As always, all photographs are copyrighted Reese Moore Photography unless otherwise stated and cannot be used without express permission.
Wick Candle Bar offers a fun hands-on candle-making experience.
If there’s one thing my family does not know how to do, it’s kick back and relax. We are chronically active people, and you should absolutely not invite us along if your plans for the week are reading a book by the beach or indulging in a Netflix binge. We will drive you bananas.
So, when I visit my childhood home of Jacksonville, Florida, I’m always dying to get out and do something, especially when that something is a hands-on, creative experience. My mom comes from a family of artists and makers, so, as my beloved grandmother would say, “It’s the bloodline.”
Interactive workshops and classes are even more fun these days because my sister’s three kids are all teenagers and pre-teens. There’s nothing like trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone with a teenager, y’all. You might get made fun of, you might make something hideous, but the memories will be priceless.
Here’s my ongoing list of our family’s must-try creative classes and workshops in Jacksonville, Florida. Call your bestie, grab your mom, and load your sister’s kids in the car: adventure awaits!
The glass-blowing workshop at Burnt Glassworks is a great activity to do with teens.
Best Creative Workshops and DIY Classes in Jacksonville, Florida
Blow your own glass at Burnt Glassworks.
What’s cooler than blowing your own piece of original glass? Doing it with loved ones. Burnt Glassworks offers creative, guided experiences in two locations in Jacksonville, Florida. Pick your project and book a session for you and a few friends, and the friendly (and patient) staff will work with you to create your own blown glass work of art.
Pricing varies by project ($40-$115 per project), and the current experience menu includes options like a stemless wine glass (cheers!), flower, paperweight, and footed vase. They’ll help you make the piece your own, including selecting your colors.
I went with my dad and 13-year-old nephew right before Christmas (I gave everyone experience gifts this year), and we all made our own snowmen with adorable, colorful hats. It was really cool to see how different everyone’s turned out! And, I loved that the guys enjoyed this activity as much as I did. I can’t wait to go back with my husband to make our own stemless wine glasses.
Burnt Glassworks
5105 Philips Hwy #201, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA
Burnt Glassworks Pop-Up at King Maker Brewing
Learn how to make your own sweet treats in an interactive workshop at Sweet Pete’s.
Make your own candy at Sweet Pete’s.
Life is extra sweet when you make your own treats! Sweet Pete’s is beloved for its colorful, whimsical downtown retail space and delightful confections, but the candy classes make this sweet shop a must-visit next time you’re visiting Jacksonville, Florida.
Classes and tours are offered Tuesday-Sunday, and they usually fall in the $15-$35 range, making this a budget-friendly option. Current DIY class topics include saltwater taffy, chocolate bars, hand-pulled lollipops, boozy truffles, and “candy & cocktails.” Expect an informative demonstration before you roll up your sleeves, and leave some extra time to shop or enjoy the soda fountain after your class.
My mom, 9-year-old niece, and I hit the candy cane class during the holidays, and we all had a blast. I would absolutely go again, especially on a rainy day.
Sweet Pete’s
Jacksonville, FL, 32202
Create a custom scent at Wick Candle Bar.
Pour your own candle at Wick.
Does it count as candle hoarding if you own more than twenty? Either way, it’s safe to say that I’m a candle connoisseur, and out of the more than forty candles I own, (don’t judge me!), the one I made with my family at Wick Candle Bar is, hands down, the best candle I’ve ever owned.
Located in the heart of San Marco, Wick Candle Bar offers a small but sleek workshop space where customers create their own soy wax candles, sprays, oils, reed diffusers, and body care products. Make a reservation if you’ll be rolling more than four candle-fanatics deep, but walk-ins are always welcome for smaller groups.
The personable staff will guide you through the process before letting you snort and snuffle your way through the scent library like a candle-seeking truffle pig. Once you’ve narrowed down your scents, settle in at the bar to create the perfect, unique fragrance blend and pour your custom candle in your preferred receptacle. Expect to spend about $20-$40 per person, depending on your selected product and container.
I created a heavenly blend of apple, bourbon, and leather, and it smells like the leather-bound-book library of my country estate dreams. My husband made a candle that somehow smells exactly like Mountain Dew, and he’s incredibly proud of it - so, to each their own! My mom, 15-year-old niece and 9-year-old niece also came with us, and I can vouch that this is the perfect activity for men, women, date nights, family hangs, catching up with an old friend, or treating yourself to a solo experience.
Wick: A Candle Bar
Jax, FL 32207
Indulge your creative side and learn new skills with a workshop at Got Flowers JAX.
Build your own floral arrangement at Got Flowers JAX.
Though Got Flowers JAX is conveniently located within walking distance of my parents’ house, I actually discovered this adorable flower shop by attending one of their off-site wreath-making classes during the holidays. (Y’all, I’ve never had so much sap on my hands in my life. Everything I touched stuck to me: paper, my purse, my hair, the dog, you name it.)
We loved the wreath class, and my wreath got tons of compliments, but when I discovered the drop-in build-your-own-bouquet “Bloom Bar” option at the San Marco storefront, I rounded up my mom, a family friend, and the eldest niece for an impromptu ladies’ bouquet outing.
So, if your schedule allows, I definitely recommend booking your spot for an upcoming workshop ($75/person at the time of publication). If you need a quick pick-me-up or are looking for the perfect way to treat yourselves after a girls’ lunch, definitely drop in and let yourself go wild at the Bloom Bar. Each of us created surprisingly different arrangements from the Bloom Bar, and Keith, the owner, was on-site to help tidy up and arrange our creations for the ride home. Finally, my bouquet lasted for what seemed like forever, and it made me smile every time I sat down at my dining room table.
Got Flowers JAX
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Whip up something delicious at JAX Cooking Studio.
Are you the plan-ahead type? Are you passionate about food? This one’s for you. I’ve been dying to attend one of JAX Cooking Studio’s classes for literally years, but unfortunately, I’m not the plan-ahead type, and their classes are wildly popular (for good reason).
JAX Cooking Studio offers hands-on learning experiences under the tutelage of accomplished chefs, and it’s a creative way to get out of your comfort zone, create lasting memories with a loved one, and gain new culinary skills. The classes regularly sell out, so you’ll want to book your spot as soon as the dates are released - or for about 8 weeks out. JAX Cooking Studio offers experiences tailored to kids, adults, and families, so you’re sure to find something that piques your crew’s interest, but it is a bit on the pricier side. Keep an eye out for delicious topics like dim sum, whisky brunch, a tiki time Hawaiian feast, and a very intriguing Harry Potter feast.
My mom and I signed up for a last-minute macaron class that somehow wasn’t sold out right before Easter, and we absolutely loved it. Macarons are notoriously fussy to make, and there’s no way I would have ever attempted this at home without having a chef guide us through the proper techniques beforehand. We had so much fun, and my mom was looking into going back with friends for my dad’s birthday, the last I heard!
JAX Cooking Studio
Jacksonville, FL 32250
Have you been to Jacksonville, Florida? What are your favorite workshops or make your own experiences? Drop ‘em in the comments below!