Little Explorers
Creative art and sensory programs for children aged 18 months – 5 years old
Little Explorers is more than just a creative activity. It’s a thoughtfully designed art program where young children build confidence, independence, and curiosity through hands-on exploration in a calm, supportive studio environment.
Who Little Explorers Is Perfect For
• Children who love to explore and create
• children who are hesitant or need time to warm up
• families looking for a calm, meaningful activity
• parents who value confidence over perfect results
A typical session can include
• Painting and colour exploration
• Clay and sensory materials
• Cutting, collage and construction
• Open-ended art invitations
• Time to explore freely at their own pace
Children move between studio stations while educators gently guide their thinking and creativity.
Little Explorers supports children develop:
• Fine motor strength
• Confidence and independence
• Curiosity and problem solving
• Emotional regulation
• Early creative thinking
Through thoughtfully designed, hands-on art experiences that feel like play.
For parents, Little Explorers offers:
• A calm weekly activity to enjoy together
• The chance to watch your child grow in confidence
• A welcoming community of families
• A studio environment where creativity is encouraged
A beautiful beginning to your child’s creative journey.
Many families find Little Explorers becomes a weekly ritual, where children explore, parents connect, and confidence quietly grows.
Studio Sensory Play
For Children Aged 18 months to 4 years
Our Sensory Play sessions invite your little one into the wonder of creative discovery. Designed for children aged 18 months to 5 years and their caregivers, these 1 hour sessions focus on early sensory experiences, connection, and exploration. Together, you’ll squish, splash, and create as your child becomes more comfortable with new textures and materials, builds confidence in a calm, welcoming environment, and discovers the simple joy of creative play.
Studio Kinder Play
For Children Aged 3-5 years
Our Kinder Play sessions support growing independence and imagination through hands-on, process-based art. Designed for children aged 3 to 5 years, these 1 hour sessions invite young makers to move freely between creative stations, exploring tools and materials at their own pace. Caregivers are welcome to join in or step back, as children build confidence using scissors, glue, paintbrushes, and a range of textures in a calm, supportive environment.
Our First Session Promise
Starting something new can feel like a big step, especially for young children.
If after your first Little Explorers session you feel the program isn’t the right fit for your child, simply let us know* and we’ll cancel your membership and refund your enrolment fee.
We want families to feel confident joining the studio.
*You must let us know within 24 hours of your first session.
What a Little Explorers Session Looks Like
Arrival & Welcome
Families arrive, settle in, and children are invited to begin exploring the studio at their own pace.
Creative Exploration
Children move freely between art invitations including painting, clay, sensory play, collage, and construction, with gentle guidance from educators to support their thinking and creativity.
Discovery & Independence
As children experiment with materials, they practise pouring, mixing, cutting, building, and making their own creative choices, building confidence along the way.
Closing Circle
We come together to finish the session with a simple closing activity, a song, some dancing, or a story, creating a calm and joyful transition to head home.
Growing Through Creativity
If you’ve been looking for something meaningful to do with your child, something that feels calm, creative, and genuinely supportive of their development, this is exactly what Little Explorers is designed for.
These sessions are about more than paint and play. They are a chance to slow down, step away from busy routines, and spend time together in a space where your child can explore, experiment, and grow at their own pace.
Through sensory-rich, process-based art, your child will explore colour, texture, movement, and materials in a way that feels natural and engaging. As they pour, mix, cut, and create, they begin to build confidence, develop independence, and strengthen the skills they will use in everyday life.
You might notice small but powerful changes, choosing their own materials, trying something new without hesitation, or proudly saying “I did it myself.”
And for you, something shifts too. Instead of rushing from one activity to the next, you get to pause and watch your child’s thinking unfold in real time. You see their curiosity, their persistence, and their growing sense of capability.
Little Explorers also becomes a place of connection. A space where you can meet other families in a similar stage of life, share experiences, and feel supported along the way.
Aligned with our mission, Create as who you are. Boldly. Bravely. Freely. Fully. Unapologetically.
Our sessions focus on belonging, creativity, and connection.
There’s no pressure to produce perfect results.
Just shared experiences, messy joy, and the confidence that grows when children are trusted to explore and create in their own way.
Why Creativity and Sensory Play Matter
Little Hands, Big Imaginations
Between the ages of 2 and 5, children are naturally curious about the world around them. They explore through touch, movement, colour, and experimentation. Sensory and creative play isn’t just enjoyable, it’s how young children begin to build confidence, coordination, and an understanding of how things work.
At Little Explorers, these natural instincts are supported through hands-on, process-based art experiences that encourage curiosity, independence, and meaningful discovery.
For your Child
Fine Motor Strength
Pouring, scooping, painting, cutting, and shaping clay strengthen the small muscles in your child’s hands, supporting skills they will later use for writing, dressing, and everyday tasks.
Creative Confidence
When your child is free to explore without a “right” or “wrong” outcome, they begin to trust their ideas and feel confident in their creativity.
Problem Solving & Curiosity
Mixing colours, building structures, and experimenting with materials encourages your child to ask questions, test ideas, and discover new possibilities.
Sensory Exploration
A range of textures, materials, and tools engage the senses, supporting brain development and helping your child regulate emotions and maintain focus.
Early Social Skills
Working alongside other children builds communication, cooperation, and empathy in a natural, low-pressure environment.
For You
See your child’s growth in real time
You’ll begin to notice small but powerful moments, choosing independently, trying something new, or proudly saying, “I did it myself.”
A calm, welcoming space
No rushing, no pressure. Just a thoughtfully prepared environment where you can slow down and be present with your child.
Connection with other families
Meet other parents in a similar stage of life, share experiences, and feel supported along the way.
Confidence in their development
You’ll see how these creative experiences build skills that support lifelong learning, from independence and resilience to curiosity and problem solving.
At Creative Makes, we create a space where young children are free to explore, experiment, and make meaningful discoveries through art.
Sometimes it’s messy.
Sometimes it’s surprising.
But it’s always meaningful.
Little Explorers Memberships
Essentials
Begin your child’s creative journey in a calm, welcoming space to explore, play, and grow. The Essentials membership includes one weekly Little Explorers session where children can discover art through sensory exploration and process-based creativity — no pressure, just curiosity and confidence building.
Weekly Little Explorers Class - Choose from Sensory or Kinder
Creative Plus
Give your little explorer even more time to create, discover, and grow. Creative Plus includes two weekly Little Explorers sessions, offering more opportunities to explore materials, build confidence, and develop independence through playful, process-based art.
2 x Weekly Little Explorers Classes - Choose from Sensory or Kinder or one of each
All-In
Go all in on creativity and exploration. With two Little Explorers sessions, families can enjoy the freedom to create, discover, and grow together in our calm, welcoming studio environment.
2 x Weekly Little Explorers Classes - Choose from Sensory or Kinder or one of each
+
4 x excursions or special events per year
FAQ
Do parents stay during the session?
Yes. Little Explorers is a shared experience.
What should children wear?
Clothes that can get messy.
What if my child is shy?
That’s completely normal. Many children observe before joining in.
What if my child doesn’t want to participate?
That’s completely okay. Some children prefer to watch before joining in. There’s no pressure to take part, they are welcome to explore in their own time.
Do children need any experience?
Not at all. Little Explorers is designed for all children, whether they love getting messy or are still building confidence with new experiences.
Do children have to complete a project?
No. There are no step-by-step projects or expected outcomes. Children are free to explore materials and follow their own ideas.
Can I bring siblings?
Younger siblings are welcome to stay with you. if you have an older sibling who would like to join in on occasion (school curriculum days etc) send us a message and as long as we have space in the class, we will be happy to accommodate them
What if we miss a session?
We understand that life with little ones can be unpredictable. Please get in touch, and we’ll do our best to offer a make-up session where possible.
How many children are in each class?
Sessions are kept small to ensure a calm environment and allow each child the space and support they need.
What if my child doesn’t like getting messy?
That’s completely okay. Children are never forced to engage with materials they’re not comfortable with, and many gradually build confidence over time.
Is there a structure to the session?
Yes. While children are free to explore, sessions follow a gentle rhythm including arrival, creative exploration, and a short closing activity.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just your child and a willingness to explore. We provide all materials.
Where are you located?
We are based in Hastings. Full details can be found on our contact page.
New
Little Explorers Class Passes
Looking for flexibility without committing to a weekly class?
Our Little Explorers Class Passes give you the freedom to book sessions when it suits your schedule, while still experiencing the calm, creative environment of our studio.
Designed for children aged 18 months to 5 years, Little Explorers sessions invite young children to explore paint, clay, sensory materials, and creative tools in a supportive, process-based setting.
Whether you're easing into a routine, navigating busy weeks, or simply wanting to try something new, class passes offer a simple, low-pressure way to begin.
Class Pass Options
5 Class Pass – $190
Valid for 3 months
10 Class Pass – $350
Valid for 6 months
• Use across Sensory Play and Kinder Play sessions
• Book sessions that suit your schedule
• Calm, welcoming studio environment
• All materials included
How it works
Once registered, you’ll be able to:
• Purchase your class pass
• Book into available sessions
• Manage your schedule in one place
Classes are booked individually and automatically deducted from your pass.
Bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability.
Looking for a regular weekly class?
Our memberships offer priority booking, consistent placement, and the best value for ongoing creative development.
Many families begin their journey with Little Explorers and continue growing creatively with Creative Makes as their children get older.
Excursions & Special Events
At Creative Makes, we love mixing up our regular studio sessions with exciting excursions and special events that spark imagination and create unforgettable memories!
For our younger explorers, this might mean a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a trip to the beach, or other hands-on adventures that get them moving, discovering, and having fun outdoors.
Our special events bring extra magic to the studio, think pyjama days, creative movie nights, or themed celebrations where kids can dress up, play, and immerse themselves in a unique experience.
Every excursion and event is designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and connection – all in a safe, supportive, and playful environment where every child feels included.
