A gentle, play‑based creative session for preschoolers and their caregivers.

Made Askew’s drop‑in art playgroup invites young children to explore materials with curiosity, confidence and joy. Designed especially for ages 2 to 6, each session is relaxed, sensory and open‑ended, giving children the freedom to experiment at their own pace. Through clay, paint, natural materials and simple construction, children discover how materials feel, move and change, and how marks, shapes and textures can express their ideas.

Rich children’s literature is woven into the experience, offering stories that spark imagination, language and connection. These shared moments help children make meaning, build vocabulary and link their creative play to the world around them.

Parents and caregivers are welcome to join in the making or simply sit back with a tea or coffee and enjoy the calm, social atmosphere. The space encourages gentle interaction, giving children opportunities to practise turn‑taking, cooperation and early social skills in a supportive environment.

Led by an experienced primary school teacher and artist, the playgroup offers warm, responsive guidance as children learn:

• how to explore materials safely and confidently

• how to follow their ideas, make choices and experiment freely

• how to engage with stories and connect them to their creative play

• how to interact with others, share space and build early social skills

• the joy of creating something that feels truly their own

Families can drop in and leave at any time during the session, making it an easy, flexible way to bring creativity into the week. These sessions nurture independence, imagination and confidence. Children leave feeling proud, calm and inspired to keep exploring.

Siblings can join for just $5 each. Under‑2s come along for free with a full‑paying ticket.

Exploration, play, and early art foundations

Made Askew’s process art workshops for ages 5 to 8 invite young artists to explore materials with curiosity, confidence and joy. Each session is designed to be playful, sensory and open‑ended, giving children the freedom to experiment while gently introducing early art concepts and skills.

Children are encouraged to follow their ideas, make discoveries and enjoy the experience of creating without pressure or perfectionism. Through painting, drawing, collage, printmaking and simple sculpture, they learn how materials behave, how colours mix and how marks, shapes and textures can express ideas.

Led by a qualified primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Creative Arts, these workshops offer calm, supportive guidance as children learn:

• how to explore materials safely and confidently

• early art skills including colour mixing, mark‑making and simple construction

• how to make choices, solve problems and follow their creative instincts

• how to talk about their work and notice what they enjoy

• the joy of creating something that feels truly their own

These sessions nurture independence, imagination and artistic confidence. Children leave feeling proud, inspired and excited to keep creating.

Skill‑building, creative voice and artistic independence

Made Askew’s process art workshops for ages 9 to 12 offer a deeper, more intentional creative experience for young makers ready to extend their skills. These sessions balance open‑ended exploration with the development of foundational art techniques, helping students build confidence, refine their abilities and discover their own artistic style.

Each week introduces a new material or process - drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media or sculpture - while giving students the freedom to experiment, make decisions and pursue their own ideas. They learn how to plan, develop and refine their work, and how to use materials in expressive and meaningful ways.

Guided by a qualified primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Creative Arts, students learn:

• how to use art materials with increasing skill and intention

• drawing, painting and mixed‑media techniques that support personal expression

• how to plan, develop and refine multi‑step artworks

• how to explore composition, colour, texture and form

• how to reflect on their work and recognise their growing artistic voice

These workshops support creativity, independence and artistic identity. Students leave with new skills, growing confidence and artworks that reflect their ideas, interests and imagination.

A relaxed, creative studio session for adults to unwind, explore and make at their own pace.

Craft Café invites adults to settle in for two unhurried hours of hands‑on creativity. Choose from a rotating menu of small projects and materials including watercolour, acrylic painting, terracotta pot painting, embroidery and air‑dry clay, all using high‑quality tools and supplies. Whether you’re dipping a toe into something new or returning to a favourite medium, there’s space to experiment, play and enjoy the simple pleasure of making.

Each session is flexible and self‑paced. Come and go as you like, bring your own coffee, and enjoy the calm rhythm of working alongside others. With weekly café specials such as paper-making, leather embossing, lino printing and screen printing, there’s always something fresh to try.

You’ll have access to gentle support from the workshop facilitator, along with step‑by‑step instructions or videos for each offering. Optional extras are available if you’d like to add a little sparkle or detail to your finished piece.

Cost

Bring your own project and enjoy the atmosphere: $25 per session.
Add your craft cafe menu items at the venue: Prices Vary

Session Length

2 hours, giving you plenty of time to bring a small project to life

Craft Café is a welcoming, low‑pressure space to reconnect with creativity, try new materials and enjoy the company of others while you make.

As a mother, I understand the real costs of raising children. We’re committed to keeping our creative experiences affordable and accessible for families.

Bring a sibling along to our Little Makers drop‑in playgroup or Clay Together (at studio 99 Port Kembla) for just $5.

If you’d like to explore sibling options for our other workshops, get in touch and we can chat about what might work best for your family.