Why I Created Kids Creative Art Play Club at Bundabubs. A New Kids Art Class In Perth.
- Gabrielle Wood
- May 7
- 6 min read
Why I Created Kids Creative Art Play Club, a new class at Bundabubs in Perth
Discover why Kids Creative Art Play Club was created for preschoolers, homeschooled children and neurodivergent kids who need a calm, inclusive and creative space to thrive. I'm so excited to share more details of this new class with you.
In a world that often feels rushed, noisy and overstimulating, I believe children need more opportunities to slow down, explore freely and simply create.
That belief is at the heart of Kids Creative Art Play Club.
This class was not created to produce perfect artwork or tick a developmental checklist. It was created because children need space. Space to wonder. Space to experiment. Space to trust their own ideas without pressure or judgement. And I wanted to be the person who gave them that.
Who This Class Is For (anyone who lives in Perth!)
Kids Creative Art Play Club is open to all children who are at home during the day, for whatever reason that might be. You might have preschoolers who are not yet in school and are looking for meaningful connection and creativity outside the home. You might be homeschooling and searching for an activity that feels gentle and aligned with your child's way of learning. Or you might have a neurodivergent child who thrives outside of traditional school environments, or who is navigating their own unique learning journey and needs a space that truly meets them where they are. No matter the reason, every child who walks through the door is welcomed into a calm, inclusive and nurturing environment where creativity always comes first. There is no pressure to perform. No pressure to produce. Just the freedom to create.
Who This Class Is For (anyone who lives in Perth!)
Kids Creative Art Play Club is open to all children who are at home during the day, for whatever reason that might be. You might have preschoolers who are not yet in school and are looking for meaningful connection and creativity outside the home. You might be homeschooling and searching for an activity that feels gentle and aligned with your child's way of learning. Or you might have a neurodivergent child who thrives outside of traditional school environments, or who is navigating their own unique learning journey and needs a space that truly meets them where they are. No matter the reason, every child who walks through the door is welcomed into a calm, inclusive and nurturing environment where creativity always comes first. There is no pressure to perform. No pressure to produce. Just the freedom to create.
This Is Not a Traditional Art Class
One of the questions I get asked most often is why I do not run heavily themed art classes with step-by-step instructions and matching finished products lined up on the wall.
The answer is simple. Because creativity does not need a theme.
The moment children feel like there is a "right" way to create, many of them stop trusting their own instincts and start looking for approval instead. They watch what others are doing. They hesitate. They ask "is this right?" instead of following their own ideas.
Kids Creative Art Play Club is open-ended art play. That means children are given total creative control over what they make, how they make it and what it looks like at the end. They are free to experiment with colour and texture, to change their mind halfway through, to make a glorious mess, to try something unexpected and to decide for themselves when they are finished.
Some children create imaginary worlds. Some spend the entire session deeply focused on one idea. Some experiment boldly from the moment they sit down, and some take their time warming up before finding their stride. Every child approaches creativity differently, and that individuality is something I celebrate in every single session.
This is where the real learning happens. Not in copying an example, but in following their own curiosity.
More Than Art: What Children Are Really Building
Art play is so much more than paint, glue and craft materials.
When children are given total creative control, something genuinely powerful happens. They begin to trust their ideas. They learn to think independently. They discover how to solve problems, make decisions and follow their curiosity. These are skills that will serve them far beyond the art table.
Open-ended creative play supports children in developing:
Fine motor skills. Painting, cutting, gluing, drawing and manipulating materials all strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers.
Coordination. Using tools, experimenting with different materials and moving through creative processes helps children develop body awareness and coordination.
Concentration. When children become deeply immersed in creating, they naturally build their capacity for focus and sustained attention.
Language and communication. Creative play opens up opportunities for storytelling, conversation, describing ideas and expressing emotions in a relaxed and natural way.
Decision making. Art encourages children to adapt, pivot and problem-solve as their work evolves. They learn that ideas can change, and that is okay.
Independence and confidence. When children are trusted to make their own creative choices, they begin to believe in themselves.
And beyond all of these practical skills, art play also supports something just as important: emotional wellbeing.
A Calm Space That Supports Mental Health and Wellbeing
Children today are often navigating busy schedules, constant stimulation and high expectations from a very young age. I truly believe they need more opportunities to slow down and calm their nervous systems.
That is something I think about intentionally when I run every session. The atmosphere at Kids Creative Art Play Club is gentle, sensory-friendly and unhurried. Children are encouraged to explore at their own pace without any pressure to produce something "perfect." There is no right or wrong. There is only what they are making, right now, in this moment.
This kind of creative experience can support:
Mindfulness. Art naturally encourages children to stay present and focused on what is in front of them.
Self-confidence. When children create something independently, they begin to trust themselves and their own abilities.
Self-esteem and intrinsic motivation. Open-ended creativity allows children to experience pride and satisfaction from within, rather than relying on external praise or approval.
Emotional expression. Creative play gives children a safe, non-verbal way to process and express what they are feeling.
Curiosity and wonder. Art invites children to imagine, experiment and ask questions about the world around them.
For neurodivergent children especially, having access to a calm, flexible and inclusive creative environment can be incredibly valuable. Many neurodivergent children thrive when they are given autonomy, sensory exploration and freedom from rigid expectations. My sessions are intentionally designed to feel safe, accepting and supportive of different ways of learning, creating and engaging. There is no pressure to sit still for long periods, follow strict instructions or produce identical outcomes.
Children are free to be themselves. That is the whole point.
For Parents: You Get a Break Too
I know many parents want to encourage creativity at home but feel genuinely overwhelmed by the mess, the preparation and the clean-up that comes with setting up art activities.
That is why I take care of everything.
I provide all materials, prepare the space and handle all the clean-up afterwards. Parents can simply arrive, settle in with a hot cuppa and enjoy watching their child immerse themselves in meaningful creative play.
It is also worth saying that watching without intervening is one of the most powerful things a parent can do during art play. When you sit back and let your child lead, you are communicating trust. And children feel that. They grow bolder, more curious and more connected to their own creativity when they know the adults around them believe in them.
So come along, have a cuppa and watch what your child is capable of when they are given the space to just create. You might be surprised.
My Hope for Every Child Who Attends
My hope is that every child who comes to Kids Creative Art Play Club leaves feeling calmer, more confident and proud of what they have made.
I want children to know that their ideas matter.
I want them to feel safe enough to try new things and brave enough to make mistakes.
I want them to experience the joy of creating simply for the sake of creating, without needing it to look a certain way or earn someone's approval.
Because children need more art play. More connection. More opportunities to slow down and lose themselves in the moment.
That is what this class is all about.
If you are looking for a calm, welcoming and inclusive creative space for your child during the day, I would love to welcome you to Kids Creative Art Play Club, my new class in Perth.
Want to learn more about process art and why we do things the way we do at Bundabubs? Head to the Bundabubs Art Blog for more.
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