The Play Lab is a relaxed monthly creative play session for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers aged 9 months–4 years.

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Created by the Teaching Artist Project, The Play Lab combines sensory play, process art, movement, and open-ended exploration in a welcoming environment designed for young children and their parents or childminders.

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Each session offers thoughtfully prepared invitations to play using a variety of creative materials, textures, loose parts, and sensory experiences that encourage children to explore freely at their own pace.

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What to Expect

Each Play Lab session includes a range of open-ended play stations designed for mixed ages and stages of development.

Activities may include:

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• giant collaborative painting
• sensory texture trays
• outdoor water and colour play
• loose parts construction
• mark making walls
• clay and dough invitations
• movement and music play
• calm sensory spaces for babies and quieter play

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Sessions are process-led rather than outcome-focused, allowing children to experiment, explore, create, and discover through play.

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At The Play Lab, we value the creative process over perfect results.

We believe children learn best through:
• curiosity
• sensory exploration
• experimentation
• movement
• play
• creative freedom

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Our sessions are inspired by artist studio environments and early years approaches that support child-led exploration and creativity.

Rather than structured crafts or step-by-step activities, children are invited to engage with materials in their own way and at their own pace.