Little Hands Studio: Child- Led Sessions That Embrace the Beauty of Creativity

Our world seems to be driven by technology and social media, with a constant need for our lives to look ‘insta perfect’!

I don’t know about you, but it often feels like this intense expectation is being passed down to the next generation and changing the idea of childhood. From extravagant baby showers to picture perfect birthday parties, children are growing up around an expectation to look and act  'flawless' for social media.

Some of my favourite memories growing up are ones that involved creativity – whether this was making mud pies, covering myself in chalk or being drenched in muddy water when visiting the woods for dog walks.

In a world that seems to adore the word ‘no’, children should be able to express themselves creatively without boundaries, make mistakes and get messy!

I recently met Bethany and Chloe, the Founders of Little Hands Studio, a creative space that hosts child-led sessions that embrace the beauty of creativity (and allow children to experiment and follow their ideas!)

I spoke to Bethany and Chloe about the journey of Little Hands Studio, the skills children can gain from their sessions, the importance of creativity and their plans for the future!

When did Little Hands Studio begin (and what was the inspiration behind this)?

Little Hands Studio was an idea that started building in 2025, before officially launching in April 2026.

At the heart of it was a very real, very honest experience of motherhood. We both felt the tension of wanting to build a career while also being present for our children; the school pickups, the slow mornings, the everyday moments you don't want to miss.

Too often, it feels like you have to ask permission for those things or squeeze your family life around work that was never designed with mums in mind.

We didn't want to choose between the two, so we decided to build something that allowed us to do both.... on our terms using the skills we have!

Creatively, it felt like a natural fit. Chloe brings a background in fashion and her current experience as an art teacher within a forest school, and I bring experience in building businesses and content creation.

Together, we combined those skills to create Little Hands Studio. A space that not only celebrates children's creativity, but also reflects a different way of working, living, and raising a family.

What sessions do you run (and what sensory experiences are included in these)?

We run a range of creative sessions designed for babies and young children, all rooted in a child- led, process-over-outcome approach.

Our sessions are carefully curated to invite exploration through a variety of sensory experiences. This might include clay, natural materials, water play, mark making, mud painting, loose parts, and seasonal provocations that encourage curiosity and creativity.

We often incorporate different textures, scents, and materials so children can engage all of their senses in a way that feels natural and unforced.

Each session is set up as an open-ended environment rather than a structured activity, allowing children to move freely, explore at their own pace, and follow their own ideas. There's no expectation of what they should create; whether it's a simple mark, a pile of materials, or something more recognisable, it's all valued equally.

We also take a lot of inspiration from nature, so you'll often see earthy tones, natural resources, and seasonal themes woven throughout our setups, creating a calm, inviting space for both children and their grown-ups.

What skills do you hope the children develop through the sessions?

Through our sessions, children build confidence in their own ideas and abilities.

By giving them the freedom to lead their own play, they learn to make choices, take risks, and trust their instincts, skills that are so important as they grow.

The sensory, hands-on nature of what we offer also supports fine and gross motor development, coordination, and early problem-solving. Whether they're pouring, squeezing, stacking, or experimenting with materials, they're constantly learning through doing.

Just as importantly, we see children developing creativity, curiosity, and resilience. Not everything works the first time, and that's something we embrace! Allowing children to explore, adapt, and try again without pressure.

Alongside this, our sessions create space for connection, both between children and their grown-ups, and with others in the room -supporting early social skills with a variety of ages.

What power does art/ creativity have in development?

Art and creativity play a powerful role in early development because they give children a way to express themselves without needing words or rules. It's how they explore, process, and make sense of the world in a way that feels completely their own.

For me, this isn't just something I see in children - it's something I feel a s a 28-year-old woman too.

Creativity is an outlet, and I have no shame in saying that. In a world where everything can feel so focused on being "right," Instagram-worthy, or Pinterest-perfect, creativity becomes something really freeing. It doesn't have to be anything There is no right or wrong.

That's exactly what we want to give children – a space to create without expectation, to experiment without judgement, and to trust that what they make is enough as it is.

In that freedom, they're not just developing skills- they're building confidence, emotional expression, and a real sense of self.

In a world that expects so much from little children, art asks for nothing.

With technology becoming so prominent in our lives, how do your classes/ sessions offer children and their parents the opportunity to switch off from the digital world and connect?

Art is tangible, you can't beat that. It offers something real in a world that is increasingly digital.

It's not that screens are bad, it's just that children have less and less time to truly create.

Between school, busy family life, and the pressures and expectations placed on us, it's easy to fall back on technology to keep little minds entertained.

Our sessions offer a space to step away from that. A space where parents can put their phones down, follow their child's lead, and be fully present in the moment. There's something really powerful in that...children exploring freely, without limits, and grown-ups getting to witness it without distraction.

Because when you strip everything back, connection doesn't come from a screen - it comes from shared moments, messy hands, and simply being there.

Despite the fact that your sessions focus on a child led art space, how important is it for parents to have a space they can connect, talk and share advice?

It's fundamental. It's the reason parents are part of the session.

We could have chosen to run drop-off sessions, but we didn't; and that was completely intentional.

Both Chloe and I are mums of two, and we found it surprisingly difficult to find spaces that truly catered for that. Especially with siblings close in age (and ours aren't even that far apart), it often felt like you had to choose...focus on your baby and connect with other new mums, or keep your older child entertained.

That feeling of being torn, or slightly on the outside is something we really understood. So everything at Little Hands Studio is designed with intention, not by accident. Even down to keeping our sessions smaller and more intimate.

Fewer people, less overwhelm, and more opportunity for genuine connection. 

It's not just a space for children; It's a space for parents to feel seen, supported, and part of something as well.

How do you help parents continue to support this creativity at home?

We're really mindful not to turn creativity into something that feels like a task or something parents need to "get right" at home.

It's less about giving set crafts, and more about helping parents see that creativity can be found in the everyday.

A really lovely example of this came from one of our sessions. A parent shared that their child didn't really engage with toys at home, and nothing seemed to hold their attention. They came along to a session not expecting much, but left amazed at how involved their child had been. Even better, they said their child went home calm and slept brilliantly.

But what meant the most was what came next. They got some paints out at home, stepped back, and simply allowed their child to explore. And it clicked again!!!

That's exactly what we hope to inspire. Not perfect setups or elaborate activities, just the confidence to try, to simplify, and to trust the process.

We do share simple ideas on our socials and in our Little Hands Village group, but at its heart, creativity at home doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs space, time, and the freedom to explore.

How important is the fact that you can involve your children in your business (inspiring them to follow their dreams, etc)?

It's everything to us.

One of the biggest drivers behind Little Hands Studio was creating something where our children aren't separate from our work life... they're part of it!

So much of traditional work isn't designed with family in mind. We wanted to change that, to build something where we didn't have to choose between being present for our children and building something meaningful.

Being able to involve them, have them around during sessions, and show them what we're creating is really powerful. It normalises the idea that work can look different - that it can be flexible, creative, and built around family rather than in conflict with it.

We also hope our children grow up recognising that if something seems impossible, you can make it possible. They naturally see us navigating challenges, trying things, failing, succeeding, and still continuing with Little Hands Studio. That real-life example of persistence and resilience is something we value deeply. It's a life lesson you can't teach in theory.

More than anything, it allows us to live what we're trying to create for others, which is a more intentional way of working and parenting, where children are included, not worked around.

What has been your proudest moment since launching Little Hands Studio?

So many things we are proud of - children speaking about how much fun they had, those who rebook, purchasing our first ever upgrade in materials.

But mostly, what stands out is that we didn't just dream this...we built it. Our scribbles, thoughts, and ideas became a reality. Launching Little Hands Studio in the midst of the postpartum stage is our proudest moment so far.

What plans do you have for 2026?

Our focus for 2026 is to listen to the children, watching what they engage with most and spending time upgrading and adapting the facilities we have and what we offer.

We would like to start looking into offering multiple days towards the end of the year, but we are also conscious of not rushing growth. At the core of everything is still our own families, so 2026 for us is about balance.

Building something meaningful while staying present with our children and protecting the reason we started this in the first place.

Like a baby, Little Hands Studio will reach its milestones when it's ready. So, 2026 is focused on meaningful growth. Growth with intention, not just adding more for the sake of it.

To keep up to date with the brilliant work of Little Hands Studio, you can head to their Instagram (@littlehandsstudio_)!