Mini Makers: Messy Play

Thursdays | 12 September, 3 October, 7 November, 5 December 2024 | 10.30am - 12pm & 1.30pm – 3.00pm Show all dates and times

Creative fun for little hands and feet in these informal art sessions.

Drop in | £2 per child, including babies | Adults go FREE | Pay on the door

For ages 0-4.

There is tons of creative fun for little hands and feet in this relaxed and engaging art session. Babies and toddlers will have the opportunity to explore various materials across the sessions including paint, glitter, paste, sand, clay, slimy spaghetti, chalk and much more.

Messy play is an important element of early childhood development, appealing to children’s curiosity and helping them to understand the world through their senses. These sessions will also expose them to early mark making, enabling them to develop good concentration, muscle control and encourage their imaginations.
Be prepared to get messy for both children and adults!  

Upcoming themes:   

12 September – Fluttering Wings and Tiny Things:

Explore nature's wonders! Create colourful butterfly prints and jump into tuft trays filled with paper frogs, lily pads, and more. Discover hidden mini beasts, and take-home pockets full of seeds after crafting beautiful bird houses.

3 October – Forest Friends:

Venture through the forest! Make footprints of digging badgers, wandering deer, and sly foxes.  Construct forest artworks using branches, leaves, and pinecones from our Herbert gardens and build up the forest by crafting trees with cardboard rolls, coloured tape, paint sticks, and green tissue paper. Little ones will create rain soundscapes with large rainmakers, adding to the immersive forest experience.

7 November – Messy Poppy Play:

Join us for a messy play session where we'll create poppies using cupcake cases and handprints. Enjoy making shiny gold and silver painted medals and exploring trays filled with red rice, mud, and shredded paper. We'll be honouring Remembrance Day through these engaging activities.

5 December – Festive Winter Wonderland:

Experience the magic of winter with festive activities! Dance along the path to the North Pole, leaving big black footprints. Craft shimmering star decorations and sprinkle colourful delights on biscuits. Dive into snow-filled tuft trays, create charming festive cards by hand, and print your own wrapping paper to take home.

It is advisable that you and your child wear items of clothing that you are happy to risk getting paint on. Whilst the paint is water based it may stain if not washed out quickly. Many of our regular visitors have a dedicated 'messy' outfit for the purposes of enjoying this session to its fullest extent, with a spare outfit to change into afterwards.