Playful Gardens are monthly, inclusive family play days held outdoors within the Dundee Botanic gardens. Those involved in Playful Gardens see the huge benefits for families, but we wanted to learn more about families’ experiences at the events. In 2023-24 Playful Gardens were able to host Tara O’Leary, a research student from University of Dundee …
The ‘Wee Art in the Wee Forest’ pilot project was a collaboration between the learning team at Dundee Contemporary Arts and the GP’s at Douglas Medical Centre. The Medical centre had recently developed a ‘wee forest’ – a nature scot initiative to increase biodiversity and community engagement in urban spaces. The staff were all keen …
We were delighted to be involved in running Playful Gardens in 2022, along with NHS Tayside, Barnardo’s, DCA, Scrap Antics, Dundee Botanic Gardens and lots of other amazing organisations who joined in. You can read our repot on this pilot project to offer inclusive family play days below. Tip for viewing: Make the report full …
With winter weather outside we were using the snow as a prompt for our sensory play and art making today. It is probably too cold for very wee ones to spend much time outside this week so this is a nice way they can join in. As always, let them lead the exploration and show …
We had a lovely session this month with the Guide Dogs Children and Young People Service joining families in Edinburgh for their My Time to Play Group. This got us thinking about art making ideas that are tactile and use lots of different senses. The ideas would be ideal for wee ones with visual impairment but also …
Art making together can bring so much joy to very young children and their grown-ups. And while you make art together, you and your baby are also sharing something important.Making art together builds wonderful moments of connection between babies and their grown-ups – these moments are the key building blocks of strong relationships and self-esteem. …
We had families back in DCA this week with their little ones and we were trying lots of different process art ideas – where the final result is a bit of an experiment using spinning or gravity to help us. These are lots of fun for big and small as everyone can enjoy the un …
We have been working with some amazing families to develop the ideas from our Home Art box project into a book, to encourage more families to try art making with their very young children. We have been testing and co-designing the activities with the families and a great photographer, David P Scott, has been capturing …
We were visiting the beautiful Dundee Botanic Gardens this week with a group of families from the International Women’s Centre. We did several outdoor art activities and here is a nice one to try in a garden at home or on a walk. This flower pressing is a good way of trying mark making for …
Together with the Dundee International Women’s Centre Flourish group, we are using shaving foam marbling to make Eid decorations with moons and stars. Kids will love getting messy with the shaving foam and the whole family can get involved. Wee ones will need help when we get to the scissors. If you want more help …