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Checked October 2026 · 15 studios

Team building in Chicago

Chicago team building runs on the L: most of the studios below sit near an L stop, in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, West Town, Logan Square and Pilsen, with a couple in Evanston and Forest Park. This guide covers hands-on workshops where the team makes something: ceramics, printmaking, glass, leather, weaving, mosaic, candles and cooking.

Plan it for usCompare the studios
15studios that take groups5print a price per person$45lowest per person4come to your office

The short answer

A hands-on team-building workshop in Chicago costs from about $45 a person to $89 or more at the studios that print a price, before tax and any tip. 5 of the 15 studios below print a price per person; the rest quote by email. 4 will bring the workshop to your office. Ignite Glass Studios prints the largest in-person group, up to 120 people.

We checked every studio on its own group or private-events page. A price or group size appears here only if the studio prints it; otherwise the field says it quotes by request.

Our studio first

KraftStories publishes this site, so it goes at the top and says so. Everything after it is sorted by printed price, with no paid placement.

KraftStories (live online, kits shipped)
Ours · KraftStoriesFrom $89 a person10–300 peopleOnline option

KraftStories (live online, kits shipped)

Online, with kits mailed to each person

We have no studio in this city yet, so this is the one KraftStories format we can run here: kits go out ahead of the call, which suits a team spread across offices.

KraftStories publishes this site. It is listed first because it is ours, and held to the same fields as every other studio.

What the team does
A Turkish mosaic lamp or a Wardian-case terrarium, built together on a hosted video call
Price
Mosaic lamp from $89/person (up to 200 people); terrarium from $99/person (up to 300)
Group size
10–300 people
How long
1½ to 2 hours
Taking it home
Each person keeps the finished piece
Mosaic lampsTerrariums
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗

Team-building studios in Chicago, side by side

Price is the lowest per-person figure the studio prints, usually its shortest session on its quietest day. A dash means the page does not say.

StudioMakeFromGroupLengthComes to you
KraftStories (live online, kits shipped)OursOnline, with kits mailed to each personMosaic lamps, Terrariums$8910–3001½ to 2 hoursOnline
Color Cocktail FactoryPilsenPottery, Mosaic lamps, Glass, Terrariums, Candles & scent, Other crafts$458–501.5-3 hours—
Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather ArtsRavenswoodLeather$752–252.5 hours—
Embers + Apothecary Co.South LoopCandles & scent$7512–24—Yes
Ignite Glass StudiosRiver WestGlass$85Up to 120About 10-35 minutes hands-on per person or team—
Art Makers OutpostEvanstonOther craftsQuote———
Chicago Weaving SchoolIrving ParkTufting & textilesQuote5–15——
Lillstreet Art CenterRavenswoodPottery, Jewelry, Painting, Tufting & textiles, Printmaking, BookbindingQuote—1-3 hours, half day or full dayYes
Pinot's Palette Logan SquareLogan SquarePaintingQuote——Yes
Slowfire CeramicsForest Park (Oak Park area)Pottery, PaintingQuote—1.5-2 hours—
Spudnik Press CooperativeWest TownPrintmakingQuoteUp to 12About 3 hours, more hours can be added—
The Chicago Mosaic SchoolEdgewaterMosaic lampsQuote———
The Chopping BlockLincoln SquareCookingQuote6–502.5 hours, including 1.5 hours of cooking—
The Digs ChicagoWest TownPotteryQuote5–15——
The Pottery LoopRavenswoodPottery, Candles & scentQuote——Yes

By the size of your team

Studios that print a maximum group appear in every size up to it. One that prints only a minimum appears at that minimum, and one that prints no size is left out rather than guessed; most will still answer an email about a bigger group.

Up to 10 people

11 to 25

26 to 50

51 to 100

Over 100

Team-building ideas in Chicago, by what you need

Something to take home the same day

Kiln work is fired after the session and comes back weeks later. These say the piece leaves with the person.

None on this list print this. Ask us and we will check.

Without leaving the office

The studio brings tools and materials to a conference room or event space.

Embers + Apothecary Co., Lillstreet Art Center, Pinot's Palette Logan Square, The Pottery Loop

A team in more than one place

A hosted online session, usually with kits mailed to each person beforehand.

KraftStories (live online, kits shipped)

A small team or a leadership offsite

Studios whose printed cap is 20 or fewer, which keeps one instructor with the whole group.

Chicago Weaving School, Spudnik Press Cooperative, The Digs Chicago

Every studio, in detail

Sorted by printed price, lowest first, then the studios that quote by email. 7 of them also run public classes on our calendar, listed on the card, if you want to try one before booking the team.

Color Cocktail FactoryColor Cocktail Factory
From $45 a person8–50 peoplePrivate studio hire

Color Cocktail Factory

Pilsen

Several craft options under one roof, BYOB allowed, and groups of 20 or more can have the whole space.

What the team does
Pottery wheel or hand-building, mosaics, glass fusing, terrariums, bonsai or candles
Price
$45-85/person by activity; team packages from $55; custom pricing for larger teams
Group size
8–50 people
How long
1.5-3 hours
Taking it home
Mosaics, terrariums and candles same day; glass about 1 week; pottery 2-3 weeks
Address
1142 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
PotteryMosaic lampsGlassTerrariumsCandles & scentOther crafts

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
From $75 a person2–25 people

Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts

Ravenswood

A small-group leather project for teams up to 25, with outside food and drink allowed (21+ if alcohol is served).

What the team does
Leather work session making a clutch, cuff or belt
Price
$100/person for 2-5 people; $75/person for 6-25
Group size
2–25 people
How long
2.5 hours
Address
3717 N Ravenswood Ave, #113, Chicago, IL 60613
Leather
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Embers + Apothecary Co.Embers + Apothecary Co.
From $75 a person12–24 peopleComes to your officePrivate studio hire

Embers + Apothecary Co.

South Loop

Runs sessions at the studio or in your office around Chicago, and the whole space can be booked.

What the team does
Custom candle making, then a group activity while candles set
Price
From $75/person; groups typically 12-24, larger possible
Group size
12–24 people
Address
724 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605
Candles & scent
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Ignite Glass Studios
From $85 a personUp to 120 peoplePrivate studio hire

Ignite Glass Studios

River West

Formats range from small hands-on groups to large teams working in threes or fours on one shared piece; book 15 business days ahead.

What the team does
Glassblowing: team pieces, bottle stoppers, paperweights, ornaments or blown pieces
Price
From $85/person (bottle stopper) to $165 (blown piece); 20% gratuity; exclusive hot shop $1,500
Group size
Up to 120 people
How long
About 10-35 minutes hands-on per person or team
Taking it home
Ready for pickup in 5 business days; shipping offered
Address
401 N Armour St, Chicago, IL 60642
Glass
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Art Makers OutpostArt Makers Outpost
Price by quote

Art Makers Outpost

Evanston

Workshops are built around a company's values and end with a finished piece for the workplace.

What the team does
Art-making with repurposed materials, including a shared group piece
Price
Workshops from $600 (small businesses) or $1,000 (larger companies); space-only rental $300/hour
Taking it home
Group piece goes back to the office
Address
609 South Blvd, Evanston, IL 60202
Other crafts

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Chicago Weaving SchoolChicago Weaving School
Price by quote5–15 people

Chicago Weaving School

Irving Park

Every guest works their own floor loom, and the school pitches it for employee and client outings.

What the team does
Floor-loom weaving
Price
Pricing not listed
Group size
5–15 people
Taking it home
Each guest keeps the cloth they weave
Address
4201 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
Tufting & textiles
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Lillstreet Art CenterLillstreet Art Center
Price by quoteComes to your office

Lillstreet Art Center

Ravenswood

Teams choose from five art departments; requests need at least three weeks' notice.

What the team does
Custom artist-led session in ceramics, jewelry, painting, textiles or printmaking
Price
Pricing not listed; quote via inquiry form. Groups over 12 are split into two rooms
How long
1-3 hours, half day or full day
Address
4401 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
PotteryJewelryPaintingTufting & textilesPrintmakingBookbinding

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Pinot's Palette Logan SquarePinot's Palette Logan Square
Price by quoteComes to your office

Pinot's Palette Logan Square

Logan Square

Groups get a dedicated party room at the studio, or the session can come to an office or conference venue.

What the team does
Guided canvas painting from their library or a custom design
Price
Pricing not listed
Address
2768 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Painting

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Slowfire CeramicsSlowfire Ceramics
Price by quote

Slowfire Ceramics

Forest Park (Oak Park area)

Flat package prices make budgeting easy for a small group, though the page is aimed at parties rather than companies.

What the team does
Wheel or hand-building ceramics party, or paint and sip
Price
Flat packages: paint and sip $320 (2 hours); ceramics parties $365
How long
1.5-2 hours
Address
7405 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130
PotteryPainting
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
Spudnik Press CooperativeSpudnik Press Cooperative
Price by quoteUp to 12 people

Spudnik Press Cooperative

West Town

The standard package covers up to 12 people with a studio tour, one teaching artist, paper and ink; larger groups can be arranged.

What the team does
Printmaking workshop led by a teaching artist
Price
Price not listed; nonprofit rates offered; extra supplies such as t-shirts billed at cost
Group size
Up to 12 people
How long
About 3 hours, more hours can be added
Address
1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302, Chicago, IL 60622
Printmaking

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
The Chopping Block
Price by quote6–50 people

The Chopping Block

Lincoln Square

Each group gets a private kitchen and event space plus one coordinator from planning to event day.

What the team does
Hands-on cooking class, team recipe competition or grilling event
Price
Event minimum from $1,700 depending on menu and drinks, plus 22% service fee
Group size
6–50 people
How long
2.5 hours, including 1.5 hours of cooking
Address
4747 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Cooking
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
The Digs ChicagoThe Digs Chicago
Price by quote5–15 people

The Digs Chicago

West Town

A nonprofit, artist-run studio sized for small teams, with BYOB and catering allowed.

What the team does
Mug-making party or intro wheel-throwing party
Price
Party pricing not listed; wheel parties capped at 10
Group size
5–15 people
Address
333 N Oakley Blvd, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60612
Pottery

Try it first: public classes on our calendar

Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗
The Pottery LoopThe Pottery Loop
Price by quoteComes to your office

The Pottery Loop

Ravenswood

The booking form lists team building and corporate events, with an option to hold the session at your venue.

What the team does
Wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing or candle making
Price
Pricing not listed; quote via booking form
Address
1770 W Berteau Ave, Suite 407, Chicago, IL 60613
PotteryCandles & scent
Ask us about this oneTheir group page ↗

Planning team building in Chicago

Winter changes the planFrom December to March, pick a studio near the L and ask about coat space. A workshop that makes the team cross the river on foot in January will lose half the group.
Holiday parties book firstStudios fill December evenings with company parties. For a holiday date, ask in October; January and February are the easiest months to book.
Glass takes the biggest groupsIgnite Glass Studios in River West says 50 to 120 people is its best size for team glassblowing, run in rotations. No other in-person studio on this list prints a size that large.

One request, and a person answers it

Tell us about the team

Date, headcount and budget are enough to start. We run it at a KraftStories studio where one fits, and otherwise pass it to the studio on this page that does, and tell you which.

Budget
Where
What the team might like to make (pick any)
Free to ask; nothing is booked until you confirm.

Questions people ask

How much does team building cost in Chicago?＋
Among the 15 studios we checked, the lowest printed price is $45 a person and the highest starting price is $89. 10 studios print no price and quote by email. Add sales tax, and ask whether a service charge or a minimum spend applies, because few studios print either next to the headline price.
What team-building activities in Chicago work for large groups?＋
Studios that print a capacity of 40 or more: Color Cocktail Factory (up to 50), Ignite Glass Studios (up to 120), The Chopping Block (up to 50). Larger teams usually split into rotations or two rooms; ask how the time is shared before you book.
Can a workshop come to our office?＋
Yes. Embers + Apothecary Co., Lillstreet Art Center, Pinot's Palette Logan Square, The Pottery Loop say they bring workshops to an office or event space. Travel fees and table space vary, so ask what they need from the room.
Is there a virtual or hybrid option?＋
KraftStories (live online, kits shipped) offer an online format, usually with kits mailed ahead of a hosted call.
How far ahead should we book?＋
Two to three weeks is comfortable for most groups under 30. For 50 or more, or any date in December, ask four to six weeks ahead: holiday parties fill studio evenings first.
How does the request form work?＋
It comes to us at KraftStories, and a person reads it. Where one of our studios fits the date, headcount and budget, we run it ourselves; where another studio on this page fits better, we pass your request to them and tell you who it went to. Asking is free and nothing is booked until you confirm.

How this page is put together

Every studio here was read on its own private-events or group page in October 2026, not on a booking marketplace. A price, group size or length appears only when the studio prints it, and every description is in our words. Studios whose pages say nothing about private groups were left off, even good ones; if yours is missing, tell us at info@kraftstories.com.

This site is published by KraftStories, which runs team-building workshops. KraftStories is listed first and labelled as ours; the other studios are sorted by price, and none of them pays to appear.

Mosaic lamps classes in ChicagoTerrariums classes in ChicagoPottery classes in ChicagoGlass classes in ChicagoCandles & scent classes in ChicagoTufting & textiles classes in ChicagoJewelry classes in ChicagoPainting classes in ChicagoPrintmaking classes in ChicagoBookbinding classes in Chicago