Starting Mini Makers: A Class for the Littlest Hands

When we first started creating art classes at Whimsy Art Club, we didn’t realize how delicate teaching toddlers would feel.

Mini Makers isn’t just a “smaller” version of a kids art class. It’s a completely different world.

The age range is about 1.5 to 4 years old, which means these little ones are still learning how to:

• speak and express what they want

• regulate big feelings

• explore new environments

• trust new adults

• use their hands with intention

• understand textures, scents, sounds, and sensations

At this age, they’re not just making art… they’re learning the world.

And as a mom of a 4-year-old myself, I’ll be honest — sometimes it’s hard to remember what it felt like in those early stages. The stage where everything is new, everything is emotional, and everything is exploration.

That’s exactly why Mini Makers became so important to me — and why we wanted to build it into something truly meaningful for both toddlers and caregivers.

Cranberry Sensory Play

Why We Created Mini Makers

Mini Makers was created with a very clear purpose: not just to entertain toddlers, but to support both the child and the caregiver during one of the most intense (and beautiful) seasons of life.

A place for messy, open-ended play — without the cleanup stress

Let’s be real: messy play is amazing for development. But it’s also exhausting for parents.

So many moms and caregivers want to let their child explore textures, paint, sensory bins, and hands-on experiences… but the aftermath can feel overwhelming.

Mini Makers is a space where children can enjoy that free, open-ended, messy exploration — and caregivers can be present without carrying the full weight of the setup and cleanup.

Every Week is Something New (Because Toddlers Learn Through Real Exploration)

Lemon Sizzle Art

One of the most special parts of Mini Makers is that each week we explore something different — new materials, new themes, and new ways to interact with the world.

Toddlers don’t learn best by copying one perfect example. They learn through repetition, variety, and discovery. They need chances to touch, smell, squish, pour, mix, stamp, stack, and experiment.

That’s why our class is built around a simple structure that feels calm, playful, and developmentally meaningful.

The Mini Makers Flow: Explore → Create → Play

Mini Makers is a short class — but it’s intentionally packed with meaningful activities.

1) Explore

Clay on Frame

We begin by exploring the weekly subject in different ways — up close, far away, through texture, and in different forms (not just one “object” and done).

For example, with clay, we explore it when it’s hard, soft, and in its true form. We smell it, touch it, and create fun little games that help toddlers interact with the different physical properties. It’s playful, sensory-rich, and helps children build confidence with new experiences.

2) Create

Next, we use that exploration as inspiration.

Children create artwork that is open-ended, process-focused, and made using those materials as the main tools. There’s no pressure to make something “perfect.” The goal is for children to feel proud of their own choices and creativity.

3) Play

Finally, we transition into true play — the stage where toddlers get to move, interact, and fully enjoy the experience.

This part supports:

• sensory development

• fine and gross motor skills

• early social development

• turn-taking and confidence in a group setting

It’s often where the magic happens — because toddlers learn best when it feels like play.

Why Sensory Play Matters (Backed by Research)

As we continue developing Mini Makers, we’re also exploring different aspects of play more deeply — including learning more about how sensory experiences can support children with diverse needs, such as those on the autism spectrum.

Play isn’t just “extra” in early childhood. It’s essential.

Research from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child highlights that play helps build brain architecture in early childhood, supporting the foundations for learning, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking.
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/25/01/play-helps-children-build-better-brains-here-are-some-ways-get-kids

That research reinforces why we intentionally include sensory-rich exploration and caregiver-supported play — because these moments build real skills that last far beyond the classroom.

Materials Matter: Minimal Plastic + Taste-Safe When Possible

Holiday Sensory Art Class

Because Mini Makers is designed for young toddlers, we take a thoughtful approach to the materials we use.

Whenever possible, we:

• use minimal plastic to reduce unnecessary exposure and waste

• prioritize taste-safe materials when appropriate, since toddlers explore with their mouths as well as their hands

This isn’t just about values — it’s about safety and developmental appropriateness. When caregivers know the environment is thoughtfully prepared, they can relax and enjoy the moment more fully too.

The Joy of Watching Them Explore

Starting this class has been such a joy.

There’s something incredibly special about watching tiny hands explore materials for the first time. The curiosity, the focus, and the proud little smiles when they make a discovery — it’s genuinely one of the best parts of the week.

We feel grateful every time we see:

• a child who was nervous at first slowly open up

• a child who loves sensory play fully dive in

• a caregiver relax and enjoy the moment

• little ones building confidence week by week

Taste Safe Sensory Bin

Mini Makers has reminded us that creativity begins long before children can draw a perfect circle.

It begins the moment they realize:

“I can touch this.”
“I can try this.”
“I can create something.”

What’s Next

We have so many ideas for Mini Makers in the future, and we’re truly excited.

Our goal is to keep creating a space where children have something meaningful to look forward to each week — and where caregivers feel supported, welcomed, and proud of their child’s growth.

This class is just the beginning.

And we can’t wait to continue building bigger, deeper, more meaningful experiences for our littlest makers.