I'm thinking of starting a new toddler art group at the weekend

[BigJyc]

I'm a full time working mum in the Glasgow area, and I've been struggling to find a good creative group that my wee girl can have fun at on a Sat or Sun, that is either music and dancing or messy arts.
I'm an Artist, so I'm thinking of starting a new group in which I will hire a space for a day, charge a small entry fee to cover materials, put out lots of covering, paper, chunky paint brushes, washable pens, and the things I do with my girl, but more.
She's 15 months and loves music and arts.
Or I could do a programme where every hour there is a new activity or age group over the course of a day.

Would anyone be interested in a group like this.

I have a few venues in mind for starting this, mainly places people would want to go at the weekend, either Lomond Shores, Glasgow Botanics or some other park-like location.

Let me know your thoughts, if you would be interested in this type of thing.

Cheers
Jyc

BigJyc - I've been daydreaming about doing something similar. My idea would be to have certain things set out for kids to just go and do without 'tutoring' (e.g. paints and easels set out with tabards for toddlers but in a confined area so that they can't run and spread paint everywhere, plenty of pictures to colour in and crayons to coloru in with) but also to offer classes doing different crafty projects (like making sock puppets, beading, papier mache where they may need a bit more guidance).

That way it could actually appeal to families with kids of varying ages, so toddlers could get down and dirty with the paints while their older siblings learn about papier mache (I tried doing papier mache with DD a few months ago and she didn't really get it TBH). Meanwhile, in my fantasy, parents can get a good cup of coffee and maybe something to nibble on and either get stuck in with their kids or catch up with other parents. I'd also play music in the background. I've found it really ineresting watching DD paint while music is on - the mood of the music really seems to alter how she tackles the paints and colours.

Good luck with it if you do get it set up. DD and I would love to come along (although live about 400 miles away so wouldn't be regulars!)

my dd goes to a weekend art club, 2 hours on a saturday morning for 5-10 year olds, there is 10 in the class and it costs £40 for each 4 week slot. expensive but she loves it and gets a lot out of it too.

ours is run through the local gallery and uses the art room at the high school. main thing to ask about, is via the venue you use, are you covered on their insurance in case anyone has any accidents.

i think it's a great idea!

Hiya,

Thanks for the comments - really useful. It's all stuff I'm looking into and mulling over as I try and figure out costs and feasibility.
I thought that I wouldn't be alone, and I also found that a lot of groups catered for the school age kids.

As far as insurance goes, I do have public liability, but it would be a group that mothers would also attend.
I'm thinking exactly what LuluBai was talking about, except the tea catch up may need to be a break, depending on the kids. I also like the idea of all kids being involved, as I know it can be a nightmare for mums taxi going to various groups.
I was making juggling/stress balls with my girl the other night, and she loved playing with the broth-mix and bouncing the finished ball on her Minnie Mouse cushion. But she also runs about the living room where we have various things set up for drawing/colouring in, music, building, reading and computer stuff.
The main thing to this group will be that Mums will need to take part, or they could sit about a bit more if they didn't mind their toddler eating paint and paper mache.
I'm thinking of a really small and affordable fee to cover costs.

I'll keep folks updated, and maybe by easter I'll get to do this.

Thanks for the support girls

oh my gawd let me know how you get on as its something i would be interested in aswell. Im an artist aswell i live in cheshire and would love to do something like that so im all for supporting you, even though im miles away, but let me know how you get on xxx