Closure announcement and official statement
The Crayola Experience in Chandler, Arizona, will permanently close its doors on 15 June, according to an official statement released by Crayola and the facility’s management team. The announcement was made earlier this week, confirming that the interactive family attraction, located at the Chandler Fashion Center, will cease operations after nearly five years of welcoming guests.
In the statement, Crayola representatives expressed gratitude to the community and visitors who supported the venue since its opening in 2019. “We are incredibly thankful to the families, schools, and community groups who have made the Crayola Experience Chandler a vibrant and joyful place,” the statement read. “While this decision was not made lightly, we are proud of the memories created here and the creativity we’ve inspired.”
Officials noted that the Chandler location will continue to operate as usual until the closing date, with all scheduled events and group bookings being honoured. Guests who have purchased tickets for dates beyond 15 June are being contacted directly to arrange refunds or rescheduling options.
Crayola also confirmed that the closure is specific to the Chandler site and does not affect its other Crayola Experience locations across the United States. The company reaffirmed its commitment to providing creative experiences through its remaining venues and product lines.
Reasons behind the shutdown
According to Crayola officials, the decision to close the Chandler location stems from a combination of strategic business considerations and shifting consumer patterns. The company cited a comprehensive review of its operations, which revealed that the Chandler venue had not met long-term performance expectations. While the attraction had seen steady attendance since its 2019 opening, it reportedly struggled to maintain the visitor numbers and revenue levels necessary to sustain operations in the current economic climate.
Another contributing factor was the evolving retail landscape, particularly within shopping centres like Chandler Fashion Center. With more families opting for digital and at-home entertainment options, foot traffic to brick-and-mortar attractions has declined in recent years. Crayola representatives acknowledged that these broader trends played a role in the decision, as maintaining a large-scale, interactive venue became increasingly challenging in a post-pandemic environment.
Additionally, the company is shifting its focus toward enhancing its core product offerings and investing in locations that align more closely with its long-term growth strategy. This includes bolstering its presence in markets where Crayola Experience venues have demonstrated stronger performance and greater community engagement. The Chandler site, while beloved by many, was ultimately deemed less viable in comparison to other locations.
Crayola also noted that the decision was made after careful consultation with local stakeholders and a thorough evaluation of potential alternatives. Despite exploring options to revitalise the venue or repurpose the space, officials concluded that closure was the most prudent course of action for the brand’s future direction.
Impact on visitors and local community
The closure of the Crayola Experience in Chandler is expected to leave a noticeable gap for families, educators, and community groups who have relied on the venue as a hub for creative play and learning. Since its opening, the attraction has been a popular destination for school excursions, birthday parties, and weekend outings, offering hands-on activities that encouraged children to explore art and imagination in a vibrant, interactive setting.
Local parents have expressed disappointment over the announcement, with many noting that the venue provided a rare blend of entertainment and education that was both accessible and engaging for young children. “It was one of the few places where my kids could be messy, creative, and completely immersed in colour,” said one Chandler resident. “We’ll definitely miss having that kind of experience so close to home.”
Teachers and childcare providers also lament the loss, as the Crayola Experience had become a go-to destination for school field trips and holiday programs. The attraction’s focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning through play made it a valuable resource for educators seeking to enrich their curriculum with hands-on experiences outside the classroom.
Beyond individual families, the closure may also impact the local economy, particularly businesses within the Chandler Fashion Center that benefited from the foot traffic generated by the attraction. Nearby cafes, toy stores, and retail outlets often saw increased patronage from families visiting the Crayola Experience, especially during school holidays and weekends.
While Crayola has stated that all staff will be supported through the transition, the shutdown will result in job losses for employees who have been part of the venue’s operations. For many of them, the attraction was more than just a workplace—it was a space where they helped foster creativity and joy in children from across the region.
Community leaders have acknowledged the cultural and economic role the Crayola Experience played in Chandler and are now considering how to fill the void left by its departure. Some have suggested the need for new family-friendly attractions that can continue to offer interactive and educational experiences, ensuring that local children still have access to enriching recreational opportunities.
Closure details and timeline
After five vibrant years of colour and creativity, the Crayola Experience in Chandler, Arizona, is officially set to close its doors on June 15, as confirmed by company officials. Nestled within the Fashion Center, this immersive attraction has been a go-to for families and creatives alike, offering over a dozen hands-on activities that brought the Crayola brand to life in a way that felt both nostalgic and fresh.
While the closure may seem sudden, the decision aligns with Crayola’s evolving brand strategy. The Chandler location, which opened in 2019, was one of only five Crayola Experience venues in the United States. Its departure marks a shift in focus for the brand, which is now exploring new ways to engage with its audience beyond physical locations.
For those of us in the fashion world, the closure is a reminder of how colour, creativity, and experiential design continue to influence not just children’s spaces, but also retail and lifestyle environments. The Crayola Experience was more than a play space—it was a palette of inspiration, and its absence will be felt by those who value immersive, colour-forward experiences.
Community reactions and future plans
The local community has responded with a mix of nostalgia and disappointment, especially among creatives and fashion-forward families who saw the Crayola Experience as more than just a children’s attraction—it was a hub of colour inspiration and playful design. For many, it served as a vibrant backdrop for social content, family outings, and even fashion shoots that embraced bold palettes and whimsical aesthetics.
In Chandler’s fashion circles, the closure has sparked conversations about the importance of interactive, visually rich spaces that fuel creativity. Local stylists and boutique owners have noted how the Experience influenced seasonal window displays and colour stories, particularly with its ever-changing installations and hands-on art stations. It wasn’t uncommon to see Crayola-inspired hues—think electric tangerine, bubblegum pink, and sunflower yellow—pop up in capsule collections and accessories across the region.
Looking ahead, there’s a growing call within the community for a new space that blends fashion, art, and interactivity. Some local designers are already floating ideas for pop-up experiences or colour labs that could fill the creative void left behind. There’s also chatter about potential collaborations between Crayola and fashion brands, perhaps in the form of limited-edition collections or immersive runway events that celebrate the brand’s iconic pigment legacy.
“We’re losing a space that celebrated colour in its purest form,” said one local fashion curator. “But it’s also an opportunity to reimagine how we bring that energy into our wardrobes and retail spaces.”
As Chandler prepares for the closure, the fashion community is already thinking in technicolour—ready to channel the spirit of Crayola into new, style-savvy expressions that keep the creative spark alive.