The Painted Penguin

This place is amazing! You walk into the penguin castle and are greeted with lots of sculptures to check out but don't stop there all the walls are covered in sculptures you can paint. After picking out your sculpture you pay and get to pick 6 colors for it. Then head to the tables and let your creative juices flow! Then wait a little so it is easier to carry and take it to the counter they put it in the finishing room. Which gives you 30-45 minute to run to the food court or to meander around the mall. It's sooo awesome!

Pretty fun place! I took my lil one here numerous times to let her pic out a pottery piece and paint it as gifts for family around the holidays. The selection of pre-made pottery is staggering. So many too choose from! The staff is always super fun and helps you pick colors and fun ideas! After you paint there is a dry time, so that will give you time to head elsewhere in the mall to shop and pound beers. Prices arent that bad. Many varieties and sizes! From sports logos to bald eagles to show your 'Murica pride, they have it all!

January 12th, 2019 my daughter celebrated her 7th birthday at the Strongsville Ohio location. I have to say as a parent this was the worst birthday party ever and I was just embarrassed about the party for my child and the other kids. Having went through many other parties as a parent and guest at other venues there are some things that are to be expected. The Painted Penguin didn't even hit one of these! When guest were arriving NO one was greeting them at the main register even though someone was sitting there. I had to shout from back at the party area for them to come over and join us as I watched all the little girls. When people were there we waited 15 minutes before telling someone, What are we supposed to be doing? It would have been nice for any employee to come over, introduce themselves and explain how the painting process went. Instead I found out the children should go to the wall, pick out a piece and bring it over to get their name put on. Ok, that was easy accept putting names took another 10 minutes. Once all 16 kids were sitting down I had to ask if we should get paint since there was nothing there. Another employee began getting the paint, another 10 minutes. We're now almost 30 minutes into the party. Kids are doing well, painting and as they began to finish once again I have no clue what to do, no employee comes over, nothing is said. So we learn to take the pieces to the drying area as one of three employees is working as quickly as she can. Since the place is providing the pizza i assume they have this timed. Wrong. Kids sit again another 15 minutes. Kids don't want to sit as long as we did at this party with no instruction and nothing to do. We eat the pizza and our 4:30 time has come. The pieces were dried, labeled and wrapped. You would think they would bring those to the party table. No I had to do this as well. In the mean time I had to clean the paint, water and brushes myself from the table because no employee would come help. The party is over, my daughter is almost in tears because they never put her hand print on the wall which was supposed to happen. Why wouldn't they do this with her friends there? They hurry up and do that and it's time to pay. I knew my cost and was fine with it before the party started but I did 90% of the work. The WORST party experience I or the guests have ever had. I even had my own daughter and other kids tell me how boring it was. They asked me if I wanted to pay a tip. I said no in which a "no?!" Was responded with a head motion that resembled "are you kidding me?" My husband gave her an additional $20 because he was so embarrassed and we just wanted to leave. Knowing in advance about a large party one employee should be designated to a party. They never spoke to us or the guests not once. Nothing was explained, no greeting. I can not recommend this place and strongly urge parents to not attend here for parties unless they are ok with lack of service and poor quality materials. The brushes the provided us and dried paint stuck to most of them. They were the cheap bulk pack from the $1 store making painting difficult. Thank you for listening to my review and experience.