Whether it’s in our gallery spaces playing with open ended resources or out in our park engaging with nature, we are huge advocates for a play-based, experiential approach to learning. In our sessions children are encouraged to explore for themselves, to be curious, unlocking their creativity and learning as they go.

We have programmes to suit all ages from newborn babies through to teens.

Art Baby

Where the journey begins for our very youngest visitors. These sensory play sessions are especially for non-walking babies and their grown-ups.

Free, drop in, no need to book.

Friday 6 October 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Friday 3 November 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Friday 1 December 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

PLAY Days

In these sessions our School of Creativity space is packed full of curious and wonderful objects, think tubes and pipes, crates and boxes, reels and bobbins, tyres and lots more, creating a world of endless possibilities for you to explore and create.

Second Friday of each month – term time only

Friday 13 October 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Friday 10 November 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Friday 8 December 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Outdoor Art Club

Splash around in the water play, create a masterpiece in our mud painting studio and produce all sorts of yucky and marvellous medicines at the potion stations. In these outdoor workshops, children can move around the stations in their own time, playing and exploring at their own pace in a safe and enabling environment.

Third Saturday of every month – term time only

Saturday 21 October 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Saturday 18 November 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Saturday 16 December 2023 – 10:30am-2:30pm

Feel Good Kids Art Club

Join us for a fun and expressive art and mindfulness session in our peaceful Art Garden, Whitworth Park and Clore Garden Studio. Aimed at ages 7-12, children will explore calming mindfulness techniques, all while connecting with nature and creating their own meaningful artworks.

These sessions are just for children; parents and guardians please feel free to look around the gallery spaces or enjoy a break in the Whitworth Café whilst you wait.

First Saturday of every month – term time only

Saturday 7 October 2022 – 1-3pm

Saturday 4 November 2022 – 1-3pm

Saturday 2 December 2022 – 1-3pm

Quiet Mornings

These multi-sensory play sessions are specially designed for families with additional needs who may prefer a quieter, calmer environment. Taking place in our School of Creativity space there will be open-ended play objects to explore, created by @TheSensoryToolkit, as well as a creative ‘making’ activity. The sessions are designed so that children lead the way, and move around in their own time and at their own pace.

Free, drop in, no need to book.

Sunday 24 September 2023 – 10:30am-12:30pm

Sunday 29 Oct 2023 – 10:30am-12:30pm

Sunday 26 Nov 2023 – 10:30am-12:30pm