We are the Busy Bees

Messy Play, Art Clubs & Camps, Parties & Events
Based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland

We provide a welcoming and inclusive space for your child to learn, develop and express their individual creativity through art and play.From babies to children up to 120years of age, our sessions and camps are carefully planned to support and
inspire your child’s imagination and development with art and sensory activities as the core focus.

About me

Hello!My name is Claire and I live in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.I started We Are The Busy Bees in 2022 with my very first Art Camp and it has evolved since then into so much more! From term-time Messy Play sessions and mid-term and summer Art Camps to weekly Art Clubs, Art Classes, parties and events.After having my third child in 2020,
I wanted to provide a group that offered children the opportunity to play freely, whilst supporting and encouraging key areas of their development. I also wanted to offer parents, grandparents and child minders the opportunity to connect again after COVID. And so Paint & Play, now called Messy Play, was born!We all know that making a mess at home can be stressful - the clean-up of the child, you, the floor, the walls, the dog! The list goes on! My Messy Play sessions remove that worry for parents.For older children, I aim to provide a space, through my Art Clubs, where individual creativity can be encouraged and nourished in a welcoming and friendly environment. Self-expression through art in childhood is a really crucial tool for some children and is one I recognise and celebrate in my Clubs.Please feel free to reach out with any questions via the Contact Us form.

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.Messy Play runs term-time only and you can find me at the below locations and times:• Tuesday mornings 9:45-10:30am at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre.• Friday mornings 10:00-10:45am at St Brigid's Hall, Rathnew.This current term is now on a break for Easter but will return to Newtownmountkennedy on 29th April and to Rathnew on 2nd May.Messy Play can be booked in advance as a Bundle (before the terms begin) for only €9.50 per child or there are limited PAYG spots each week for €12 per child. Brand new for 2025 is Drop-In and Play; simply turn up on the day and pay at the door, no advanced booking required.Bundle and PAYG options will guarantee your space and can be booked via the Book Now button on the Homepage.

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! Our February mid-term Camp was full of creation and imagination and I'm already looking forward to the Easter Camp!The Easter Camp will take place as follows:📍 Woodstock ETNS, Newtownmountkennedy22nd - 24th April
10am-1pm€85 per childThis Camp is now fully booked - thank you! I have 3 Camps confirmed for this summer across Wicklow so keep an eye out for those as booking will open during the first week of May.

SATURDAY ART CLUB

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!Classes take place at Woodstock ETNS in Newtownmountkennedy from 10-10:45am.SAC is now on a break for Easter but will return for a new term on 26th April.See Book Now on the Homepage to book the weeks that suit you!

Afterschool ART CLUB

Afterschool Art Clubs currently run each Monday at Woodstock ETNS in Newtownmountkennedy and each Wednesday at St Francis' NS, Newcastle.Both Clubs are exclusively for Junior and Senior Infants in each 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.The Spring/Summer terms of Afterschool Art are now open.The Woodstock club is fully booked - thank you!The St Francis club has several spaces remaining. If your child attends this school and is in either JI or SI and would like to try the Club for a week, please contact me as I am always happy for children to come and see just how much fun we have each week!

Face painting

Our Halloween 2024 and St Patrick's Day 2025 Face Painting events were a huge success - thank you!We are available for face painting at events, parties, weddings, fun days - you name it!We ensure to stay at your event until each child is happy with their face paint, meaning we charge per child rather than per hour. This makes it much better value for you!Get in touch today via the Contact Us page if you are interested in face painting.

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.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. 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!During 2024, I had the honour of being involved in the D12 Autism Fun Day in Dublin, collaborating with Marina Wellness at Greystones' wonderful Plaza Market as well as the Newtownmountkennedy Family Day to raise funds for Newtown Juniors FC in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.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 promptly!