Spotty Dog Studio

30/12/2025

Storytelling Through Art & Drama – School Holiday Workshop
January 27 and 28 - 9:30-12:30

I’m running a small, low-key holiday workshop for 7–10 year olds who enjoy making up stories, drawing, pretending, and thinking about ideas.

Over two half-days, we’ll use art, drama, and discussion to help children develop a story of their own, which they’ll write by hand into a simple keepsake booklet. The focus is on imagination and expression rather than spelling, grammar, or “getting it right”.

This is a calm, creative workshop — not a high-energy holiday programme and not school-style writing.

📍 Near Rangiora
👥 Small group (max 6–8 children)
✏️ $120 for both days and all materials included

If this sounds like a good fit for your child, you can find details and booking here:
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A small-group creative workshop for 7–10 year olds combining storytelling, art, drama, and discussion. 22 and 23 January 2026, 9:30-12:30. Spaces are limited.

19/12/2025

Some of you will know Spotty Dog Studio from messy play and art sessions for younger children. I loved that work, but over the past little while I’ve found myself pulled more and more towards something else.

I'm interested in how children develop ideas — how they talk them through, imagine possibilities, and slowly shape them into stories.

So Spotty Dog Studio is shifting focus.

From here on, I’ll be running small-group workshops for older children (roughly 7–12) that bring together storytelling, art, drama, and conversation. The aim isn’t to teach “writing” in a school sense, but to give children time, space, and encouragement to think creatively and express themselves in ways that feel natural and enjoyable.

I’ll be sharing details of a low-key holiday workshop soon as a way of testing the format and seeing what resonates. If you have a child who loves drawing, pretending, questioning, or making up worlds, this might be a good fit.

Thanks for being here!

26/04/2025

Hi everyone, I hope you've had a great Easter break! Due to the unexpected twists and turns of life lessons will be paused this term 😓

07/04/2025

Man today got messy. So much fun...

02/04/2025

Dreaming of beach weather. We had fun with this beach scene on Monday. One last messy play session for the term next Monday. Book a spot to join in the chaos 😂

23/03/2025

Taste safe kinetic sand featured alongside edible paint for today's messy play session. Toddler giggles are the best!

15/03/2025

Messy madness! Some spaces still available for tomorrow's session. Can't wait to see you there.

08/03/2025

My 6 year old was all too happy to help test some edible paint this morning!

02/03/2025

Who wants to get stuck into arts and crafts for the rest of Term 1? Me! Bookings are open for a short course that will focus on teaching and exploring techniques in art and crafting. Much fun to be had so pop over here to book https://bookwhen.com/spottydog/e/ev-sc6f-20250315100000

Creative sessions designed specifically for our youngest artists. Explore, create, and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment.

27/02/2025

Bookings are now open for my first messy play session! Art classes for older children will be added in the next day or so - watch this space!

15/02/2025

Making pinch pots with mosaic beads. Super fun, and I was amazed by the creative patterns they developed.