FAQs

General FAQs

Learn more about who we are, what we offer, and how to find us. Get in touch →

What is Santa Cruz Maker Studios?

We are a creative community studio on the Westside of Santa Cruz offering hands-on classes, camps, workshops, parties, and events for makers of all ages.

Where are you located?

Our studio is at 427A Swift St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

What ages do you serve?

Our youth classes are for ages 7–12. We also offer teen classes for ages 12–17. Our workshops are 13+, with children under 13 requiring a guardian to supervise them.

What are your offerings?

We offer an afterschool program for youth, youth maker camps, teen classes, adult pop up workshops, birthday parties, corporate retreats, offsite crafting events, and space rentals for your own special events.

Do you have a Tax Identification number I can use for reimbursement or tax forms?

Yes, our EIN is 33-3041102.  Families may need this number for reimbursement requests, employer benefit plans, or other tax related paperwork..

Class Passes & Registration FAQs

Everything you need to know about purchasing class passes, reserving classes, and drop-ins. Can’t find an answer? Get in touch →

How do class passes work?

You can purchase any number of class passes and use them at your own pace. Passes are valid for 6 months.

Can class passes be shared between siblings?

No. Passes must be purchased individually for each child and are not transferable.

Do you allow drop ins?

Yes! Drop-ins are welcome. However, if we reach capacity, students with reservations will be prioritized.

How do I purchase and reserve a class?

Reservations can be made through our website at scmakerstudios.com. First, you will select classes in the menu bar to get to our class pass form. Next, you will fill out the required information and select the amount of classes you wish to purchase, as well as reserve specific dates and times your child will be attending. Once you submit, you should receive a confirmation email with the dates and times you selected. If a change must be made to your reservation, please email us at admin@scmakerstudios.com.

What if I purchase more classes than I reserved? How can I reserve the rest of my classes?

We are currently in the process of creating a system to reserve leftover classes. In the meantime, please email us at admin@scmakerstudios.com the dates and times you would like to reserve, and our team will reserve your spot.

Youth & Teen After-School Classes FAQs

Everything you need to know about youth/teen classes, program structure, hours, supervision, and what students create. Have more questions? Get in touch →

What do students do in youth or teen classes?

Students get to choose between stations such as 3D printing, laser cutting, sewing, beading, and woodworking. They are allowed to roam through the stations and pick what station they would like to work. We do not force them to stay at one station, if they change their mind mid-project they are more than welcome to switch!

What are the program hours?

Youth classes run Monday-Thursday, 3:00 – 5:00pm, with an early session on Wednesdays from 1:00 – 3:00pm and occasional Sunday classes from 10:00am – 12:00pm, while teen classes are Thursdays from 4:00-6:00pm with occasional Sunday sessions from 12:00 – 2:00pm. 

Do you provide supervision?

Yes! Our instructors guide students through projects while prioritizing safety and creativity, and we have an instructor in each crafting zone available to assist students as needed.

My child is 6 years old. Can they join your classes?

Yes! We allow 6 year olds to participate, but we ask that they do a trial class first. This helps us make sure they feel comfortable in the space, can follow safety instructions, and have the motor skills needed for tools and materials we use. After the trial, we’ll let you know if the program is a good fit for them.

How much does it cost to 3D print?

3D printing in our youth classes and camps come at no additional cost and are included with class pass purchase. We typically have a maximum time limit of 4 hours per print, but may need to reduce our maximum print time to 1 hour for busy class sessions. We work to provide the ability for each student to make at least 1 print per class session or 3 prints per week of camp, but may need to be reduced in full class sessions.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes! If you would like to purchase a gift card, please visit https://scmakerstudios.com/gift-cards/

Camps & Workshops FAQs

Everything you need to know about seasonal camps, daily schedules, workshop details, and booking options. Have questions? Get in touch →

What type of camps do you offer?

We host seasonal camps (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) that align with the schedules of the schools in Santa Cruz. Our camps run from 9am to 3pm. 

What does the schedule look like?

A typical camp day runs from 9:00am to 11:30am for crafting activities, followed by Lunch from 11:30am to 12:15pm, a Brain Break and movement activity from 12:15pm to 1:15pm, and then more crafting time and clean up from 1:15pm to 3:00pm.

*Children are told that they can have lunch or/and snack at any point and time when they are feeling hungry. During the lunch period, the crafting closes but they are more than welcome to hang out or play the board games we have*

Can I reserve a day of summer camp?

At the moment, we are only accepting full week reservations. Closer to summer, we will begin opening 4 day week options, and eventually may release limited single day bookings if spots are available. If you’re interested in a 4 day week, feel free to email us to be added to the list as we plan to release those options a few months before camp begins.

What is included in a workshop?

All materials, tools, and instruction are provided in our single day workshops. Many workshops also include snacks and drinks.

Can I host my own workshop in your space?

Yes, please visit https://scmakerstudios.com/events/ for more information.

Birthdays, Field Trips, Corporate Retreats, & Space Rentals FAQs

Everything you need to know about party packages, project options, pricing policies, and booking availability. Can’t find an answer? Get in touch →

Do you host birthday parties?

Yes! We offer customizable birthday party packages with maker activities tailored for your group. The base package includes up to 10 guests for 3 hours with two crafting stations. Additional participants, time, and crafting stations can be added. Please visit https://scmakerstudios.com/parties/ for more information.

What is the minimum age for children to participate in our birthday parties?

Our crafting parties are best suited for 6 and up, as projects are designed for that developmental level. Younger children are still welcome to join with the help of a chaperone, we also offer age-friendly games for younger kids who are not participating in the crafting stations.

What are some examples of projects they get to complete?

Children will choose one project at each station. In Woodworking, project options include a box with latch and hinges, squirrel bench, string art, tool box, mini shelf, or Minecraft block art. In Sewing, they can create plushies such as a cat, frog, bunny, bear, or mouse, or make an embroidered tote bag; projects can be made using either fabric or felt, depending on their preference. In Beading, children can design earrings or beaded animals. During 3D Printing, each child will have approximately 1–2 hours to create a project, depending on the number of participants and the time booked. We use Bambu Labs software, which provides a large library of pre-made designs for children to browse and select from. To save time and reduce plastic waste, prints are made in one filament color, and children can personalize their creations afterward using markers. For Laser Engraving, children design a custom image to engrave onto materials such as wood, leather, or metal, with available items including wooden coasters, stone coasters, leather keychains, metal cards, dog tags, and other rotating options. We highly encourage pairing Laser Engraving with Woodworking so children can build a project and then add a personalized engraved design to it.

Are parents allowed to leave during birthday parties?

We require at least one adult present at all times.

If we bring less than 10 kids are we still required to pay the base price?

Yes. Our party packages have a set base price that covers 10 children. You’re welcome to bring fewer than 10 guests, but the base rate remains the same.

If we book for a certain amount of kids and they do not show up, are we still required to pay the price for said amount of kids?

Yes. Your final headcount determines our staffing, materials, and project preparation. You will be responsible for the number of children you booked for, even if fewer attend on the day of the party. However, if you let us know five days in advance, we can adjust the total and lower the price to reflect your updated headcount. We have a set base price that covers up to 10 children, and that amount is required regardless of attendance.

If we bring younger siblings/children that will not be participating, do we still have to include them in the head count?

No. Younger siblings or non-participating children are welcome to join free of charge. We also have a few games and activities available to help keep them entertained while the party is underway.

When can I book a private party or event?

Parties can be booked on weekends or during the week before or after our Maker Classes. Weekday availability may vary depending on our class schedule, and weekend availability may be limited if we have events already scheduled. You can check our Google Calendar for the most up-to-date availability.  If a time slot shows an event, that time is unavailable, otherwise, you’re welcome to book!

Can I rent the studio for a private event?

Absolutely. Our space is available for team building, celebrations, and private workshops.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, especially for weekends.

Can we bring our own food?

Yes! We have a refrigerator and freezer available for usage as well as utensils, platters, plates, etc. We are a dining area where you will be able to set up all your food. 

Where can I check availability?

Our google calendar is linked under the tab “Calendar”. https://scmakerstudios.com/calendar/

Policies FAQs

Important information about cancellations, supervision, safety, and staying connected. Can’t find an answer? Get in touch →

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel class reservations at any time. You also won’t be charged for missing class reservations you don’t attend. Ordering class passes are non-refundable, and can be used at any of our classes.

Are parents required to stay?

Parents are not required to stay. For the first class, many parents like to stay to ensure their child is comfortable and you are more than welcome to stay!

What safety measures are in place?

We prioritize safety through hands-on equipment training, closely supervised tool use, and clean, well-organized workspaces. All tools used in our studio are hand tools, and students receive age-appropriate instruction before beginning any project. In our woodworking room, students are required to wear safety glasses, and instructors are always present to guide proper tool handling. In our sewing area, we use pin holders and follow strict needle safety practices to keep materials contained and organized. We also intentionally avoid hazardous crafting materials, such as epoxy resin and other high-toxicity substances, to ensure a safe and healthy creative environment for all makers.

How can I stay updated?

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook at @scmakerstudios and sign up for our email newsletter (https://scmakerstudios.com/subscribe/)

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