After-School Makers Lab NYC | STEM & Building Classes for Ages 7–12 on the Upper East Side

 

At Active Studios NYC, our Makers Lab program invites children ages 7 to 12 to become inventors through hands-on, project-based STEM classes. Held at our Upper East Side studio at 1521 York Ave, these after-school classes build problem-solving, engineering, creativity, and teamwork — the foundations that set young makers up for success in school and life.

No commitment, no equipment needed — just bring your young maker ready to build, invent, and have fun.

Why Makers Lab for Ages 7–12?

Elementary and middle school are prime years for developing problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. A well-designed Makers Lab class supports each of these in a way that few other activities can:

• Engineering & problem-solving — hands-on building challenges teach kids to plan, test, and improve their designs.
• STEM thinking — students explore real engineering, science, and design concepts through hands-on play.
• Confidence & creativity — every finished invention builds real pride and a can-do mindset.
• Patience & persistence — trial, error, and iteration are built into every project.
• Teamwork — partner and group builds teach collaboration, communication, and sharing ideas.

What to Expect in a Makers Lab Class

Makers Lab classes run 2 hours (3:15–5:15pm) — plenty of time to design, build, and test. Each class follows a consistent, engaging structure:

1. Welcome & challenge intro — kids arrive, settle in, and learn the day’s design challenge.
2. Design & build — students plan and construct their project using everyday materials and tools.
3. Test & iterate — kids test their creations, troubleshoot, and make improvements.
4. Share & reflect — students showcase their inventions and talk about what they learned.

Classes are taught by our experienced STEM instructors who specialize in hands-on, project-based learning for kids. Class sizes are kept small so every child gets personal attention.

Makers Lab Schedule & Location

Active Studios NYC
1521 York Ave, New York, NY 10028 (Upper East Side, between 80th and 81st Streets)
Phone: 917-388-2729

Makers Lab meets Thursdays, 3:15pm–5:15pm, running Sep 10, 2026 – Jan 28, 2027 (21 classes). Choose the option that works best for your family:  Drop-in ($75/class), or Semester ($825 for the full Sep–Jan session). Sibling discounts available for additional children. Check our Makers Lab Schedule to book, or call us and we’ll find the best time slot for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Makers Lab

Is my child too old or too young for this program?

Makers Lab is designed for children ages 7 to 12. Projects and challenges are structured so younger and older kids in the class both get age-appropriate creativity and coaching.

What does my child need to wear or bring?

Just comfortable clothing that’s okay to get a little messy, and a water bottle. We provide all the building materials and tools used during class.

Do parents need to stay during class?

Most children ages 7 and up participate independently. Parents are welcome to watch from our viewing area, and we’re always happy to have a parent nearby for a child’s first few classes.

How long is each class?

Makers Lab classes are 2 hours long (3:15pm–5:15pm), giving kids plenty of time to design, build, test, and share their inventions without feeling rushed.

What kind of projects will my child build?

Projects change weekly and may include simple machines, structures, circuits, and inventions built from everyday materials — all designed to teach engineering, creativity, and problem-solving.

Does my child need any prior building or STEM experience?

Not at all. Our instructors meet every child where they are and build skills step by step, so no prior experience is necessary.

Ready to Try Makers Lab?

No registration fee, no experience needed. We’ll meet you at the door, introduce your child to the studio, and let them start building right away.

Or call us directly at 917-388-2729. We’d love to meet you and your young maker.

Related: After-School Program (Ages 6–13) | Children’s Programs at Active Studios NYC