We are the Busy Bees

Art, Messy Play, Camps, Face Painting, Parties & Events for children of all ages.Based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland

upcoming events

what we do

About me

Hello!My name is Claire and I live in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.I launched We Are The Busy Bees in 2022 with my very first Art Camp and it has since evolved into so much more! With weekly term -time Messy Play sessions in Newtownmountkennedy and Rathnew (previously Kilcoole, too!), weekly Art Clubs, summer Camps, face painting, parties and events - we really are Busy Bees!The team has recently expanded and I am proud to say that we are now a strong team of 4; all equally as passionate about the role of play and individual creativity in childhood.Please feel free to get in touch with us via the Contact Us form.

window painting

Window painting is a fun and cost-effective way to add that extra magic and excitement when preparing for festive celebrations. Whether you are a small business owner who wants an eye-catching window display to attract passing customers or if you are looking to add something fun to your front window at home, we would be delighted to hear from you!We use water-based emulsion paint that is easily washed off after the event. We will work closely with you to understand your requirements and will present a small scale drawing before painting commences for your approval.With competitive rates starting from just €40 an hour, get in touch today with your location and we will respond as soon as possible, usually same day!

HALLOWEEN FACE PAINTING

I am delighted to reveal details of this year's Halloween Face Painting event!Taking place at The Coffee Place, Newtownmountkennedy (beside Dunnes Stores) on 31st October between 2:00-4:00pm, a limited number of face painting slots are now available for booking! What better way to kick-start the Halloween celebrations than with face painting?!Each slot is only €5 and this event is open to children aged 3 years and over.There will be a selection of spooky designs to choose from as well as the classics (butterflies, flowers etc).Reserve your child's space by clicking on Book Now on the homepage!

Messy Play

Suitable for babies from 6 months up to children of 4 years of age, Messy Play is a combination of sensory art and messy play.Messy Play follows a different
theme each week, with varied sensory bases on our tuff trays as well as a fun art activity, too! Not forgetting our soft play area, tunnel and sensory blocks, puzzles and books for each child to explore.Sessions also offer parents, grandparents and childminders a valuable opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals in the local community.This current term of Messy Play will run as follows:📍 Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre: Tuesday mornings 09:45-10:30am from 9th September until 21st October.📍 St Brigid's Hall, Rathnew: Friday mornings 10:00-10:45am from 12th September to 17th October.After the October mid-term, Messy Play will return for the final term of 2025, running Tuesdays in Newtownmountkennedy and Fridays in Rathnew throughout November. This term is now open for booking!🎄 XMAS MESSY PLAY - FINAL 2025 CLASSES! 🎄Two very special Christmas Messy Play classes will take place for the longer duration of one hour on the following dates:Tuesday 9th December at Newtownmountkennedy Community CentreFriday 12th December at St Brigid's Hall, Rathnew.These classes are now open for booking and the cost is €12.50 per child. Sibling discount applies.See Book Now on the Homepage to secure your space.

Camps

WATBB's Art Camps provide your child with the opportunity to independently express their imagination and creativity through the medium of art.The core focus is on the artistic process rather than the end creation and each Camp is thoughtfully planned to ensure that each and every child will feel confident in their creative ability. Camps also offer your child a chance to explore areas of art that they may not necessarily be exposed to: from different types of pastels to clay, liquid watercolours to tempera paints and collage to drawing activities.Check out the @wearethebusybees social media pages for a peek into previous Camps!2025 Summer Camps took place in 3 locations across Wicklow and were a huge success! Thank you to each and every child who joined me!Watch this space for 2026 Camps!

SATURDAY ART CLUB

As from 20th September 2025, SAC will take place every second Saturday and will last for the longer time of 1 hour.The next SAC classes are:• 20th September
• 4th October
• 18th OctoberClasses will take place at Woodstock ETNS in Newtownmountkennedy.Suitable for children aged 4-10 years, Saturday Art Club is an opportunity for each child to explore their individual creativity in an inclusive and supportive environment. We will explore a range of artistic projects, from collage to printing and pastels to painting. There are additional activity stations each week too, from Lego and sensory playdough to fun, interactive games for all to play if they wish.It's the best way to begin the weekend!

Afterschool ART CLUB

Afterschool Art Club currently runs each Monday at Woodstock ETNS in Newtownmountkennedy.Clubs are exclusively for children attending the school and run for one hour straight after school.We explore different mediums of art, including painting and
techniques, drawing, collage, clay, print-making and so much more. It's a calming and creative way to end the day!With different activity stations set-up around the room, Afterschool Art Club is an opportunity for each child to express their individual creativity in a friendly and calming environment.Afterschool Art Club will return in September after the initial JI settling in period. Booking information will be sent by the school in early September. Spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis.It is with a heavy heart that I have decided not to continue the Club at St Francis' NS in Newcastle with Afterschool Art for the 2025/2026 year. I would like to thank everyone who joined me previously at the school and wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Face painting

We have had the absolute pleasure of doing face painting at a number of parties and events so far this year. Our face painting rates are highly competitive and we cater for both small and large events, parties, weddings and christenings.Our growing team of creative, friendly and fun staff means that we are available for both small and large events.Get in touch today to discuss your date and availability. We currently have very limited availability until October 2025.

parties & Events

We cater for children of all ages and provide a choice of party packages to suit your budget and your child's interests!Choose either from a Messy Play party or an Art Party.For children up to the age of 5, we recommend our Messy Play package and for children over 5, our Art Party package works well! That being said, we are completely flexible and can provide whichever party type you and your child would like irrespective of their age.What's Included?Messy Play: We provide up to 5 large tuff trays which can either all follow the same theme or be a mixture of themes. Themes include:Dinosaurs
The Farm
Disney
Construction
Under the Sea
Rainbows
Outer SpaceIf your child has a specific interest, we are completely open to new themes and will provide whichever theme your child would like. Messy Play parties are priced for a maximum of 20 children.Art Parties: We provide a choice of 2 artistic activities for your child and their friends to get creative with. These include watercolour painting, clay, collage, monoprinting, mosaics and pastels, bracelet-making, cupcake decorating and wand making. The package for Art Parties is priced for up to 10 children.Our basic packages are priced the same at €175 and parties last for 90 minutes. Smaller groups are catered for on request at a lower price.Parties can take place at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre at a discounted hourly rate when booked through us. This is an exclusive agreement in place with the Centre.Alternatively, we will come to your house or party venue and bring all the fun. Face painting and party bags are additional extras and can be provided if required, making it the best day possible for your child and an easy day for you as the parent!Face painting only is also available.Simply complete the form below, including which party you are interested in, the date, number of children and theme preference and we will get back to you as soon as possible!....................................................................................................

events

Whether you're planning a corporate event, a wedding, a Family Fun Day or even just a general social gathering, we will bring all the fun for the little ones!So far this year, we have taken part in the D12 Autism Fun Day in Dublin (for the second year in a row!), the annual Street Feast celebration in Greystones and will again be at several Family Fun Days this summer in both Wicklow and Dublin.We are available for events taking place throughout the island of Ireland.If you're having a small event or would prefer not to include Messy Play or art activities, we are also available solely for face painting, too.Simply complete the form below giving a brief description of your event, the date and your requirements and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm rates and availability.

Contact Us

Get in touch with us today. Simply fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible!