We are the Busy Bees

Art, Messy Play, Camps, Face Painting, Parties & Events for children of all ages.Based in Co. Wicklow, Ireland

About me

Hello!My name is Claire and I live in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.I launched We Are The Busy Bees in 2022 with my very first Art Camp and it has since evolved into so much more! With weekly term -time Messy Play sessions in Newtownmountkennedy and Rathnew (previously Kilcoole, too!), weekly Art Clubs, summer Camps, face painting, parties and events - we really are Busy Bees!The team has recently expanded and I am proud to say that we are now a strong team of 4; all equally as passionate about the role of play and individual creativity in childhood.Please feel free to get in touch with us via the Contact Us form.

Messy Play

Suitable for babies from 6 months up to children of 4 years of age, Messy Play is a combination of sensory art and messy play.Messy Play follows a different
theme each week, with varied sensory bases on our tuff trays as well as a fun art activity, too! Not forgetting our soft play area, tunnel and sensory blocks, puzzles and books for each child to explore.Sessions also offer parents, grandparents and childminders a valuable opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals in the local community.The next Messy Play sessions will take place in August, with regular weekly sessions returning in September.☀️ SUMMER MESSY PLAY SESSIONS ☀️I am very excited to reveal two very exciting Messy Play sessions taking place in August! Both lasting for 1 hour, these sessions are guaranteed to be full of sensory summer fun! Older siblings up to the age of 10 are welcome to join, too. There will be a dedicated art table for older ones to get stuck into!Where & When:• Tuesday 12th August at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre from 10:00-11:00am.• Friday 15th August at St Brigid's Hall, Rathnew from 10:00-11:00am.⚠️ NEW TERM ANNOUNCEMENT! ⚠️Messy Play will return on Tuesday mornings as from 9th September to Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre and on Friday mornings as from 12th September to St Brigid's Hall, Rathnew.The new term runs for 7 weeks in NTMK and 6 weeks in Rathnew.See Book Now on the Homepage to secure your space.

Camps

WATBB's Art Camps provide your child with the opportunity to independently express their imagination and creativity through the medium of art.The core focus is on the artistic process rather than the end creation and each Camp is thoughtfully planned to ensure that each and every child will feel confident in their creative ability. Camps also offer your child a chance to explore areas of art that they may not necessarily be exposed to: from different types of pastels to clay, liquid watercolours to tempera paints and collage to drawing activities.Check out the @wearethebusybees social media pages for a peek into previous Camps!Summer Camps are now in full swing and will take place as follows:CAMP 1: FULLY BOOKED1st-3rd July
📍 Woodstock ETNS, NewtownmountkennedyCAMP 2: LIMITED SPACES15th-17th July
📍 Roundwood NS (St Laurence O'Toole's NS)CAMP 3: LIMITED SPACES22nd-24th July
📍Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin, RathnewAll Camps run from 10am-1pm and there are full 3-Day and limited single-day booking options available at each Camp.The cost per child for the full Camp is €85. Single Day Camp passes are €30 per child.See Book Now on the homepage to secure your child's space.

SATURDAY ART CLUB

Suitable for children aged 4-10 years, Saturday Art Club is an opportunity for each child to explore their individual creativity in an inclusive and supportive environment. We will explore a range of artistic projects, from collage to printing and pastels to painting. There are additional activity stations each week too, from Lego and sensory playdough to fun, interactive games for all to play if they wish.It's the best way to begin the weekend!SAC has now finished for summer break - a huge thank you to everyone who has joined me this year! Watch this space for the next SAC classes!

Afterschool ART CLUB

Afterschool Art Clubs currently run each Monday at Woodstock ETNS in Newtownmountkennedy and each Wednesday at St Francis' NS, Newcastle.Both Clubs are exclusively for Junior and Senior Infants in each school and run for one hour straight after school.We explore different mediums of art, including painting and
techniques, drawing, collage, clay, print-making and so much more. It's a calming and creative way to end the day!With different activity stations set-up around the room, Afterschool Art Club is an opportunity for each child to express their individual creativity in a friendly and calming environment.Afterschool Art Clubs will return in September after the initial JI settling in period. If your child attends either of the above schools and would like to join me, keep an eye on your school's emails in early September for full booking information. Spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Face painting

We have had the absolute pleasure of doing face painting at a number of parties and events so far this year. Our face painting rates are highly competitive and we cater for both small and large events, parties, weddings and christenings.Our growing team of creative, friendly and fun staff means that we are available for both small and large events.Get in touch today to discuss your date and availability. We currently have very limited availability until October 2025.

parties & Events

We cater for children of all ages and provide a choice of party packages to suit your budget and your child's interests!Choose either from a Messy Play party or an Art Party.For children up to the age of 5, we recommend our Messy Play package and for children over 5, our Art Party package works well! That being said, we are completely flexible and can provide whichever party type you and your child would like irrespective of their age.What's Included?Messy Play: We provide up to 5 large tuff trays which can either all follow the same theme or be a mixture of themes. Themes include:Dinosaurs
The Farm
Disney
Construction
Under the Sea
Rainbows
Outer SpaceIf your child has a specific interest, we are completely open to new themes and will provide whichever theme your child would like.Art Parties: We provide a choice of 2 artistic activities for your child and their friends to get creative with. These include watercolour painting, clay, collage, monoprinting, mosaics and pastels. The package for Art Parties is priced for up to 10 children.Our basic packages are priced the same at €175 and parties last for 90 minutes. Smaller groups are catered for on request at a lower price.Parties can take place at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre at a discounted hourly rate when booked through us. This is an exclusive agreement in place with the Centre.Alternatively, we will come to your house or party venue and bring all the fun. Face painting and party bags are additional extras and can be provided if required, making it the best day possible for your child and an easy day for you as the parent!Face painting only is also available.Simply complete the form below, including which party you are interested in, the date, number of children and theme preference and we will get back to you as soon as possible!....................................................................................................

events

Whether you're planning a corporate event, a wedding, a Family Fun Day or even just a general social gathering, we will bring all the fun for the little ones!So far this year, we have taken part in the D12 Autism Fun Day in Dublin (for the second year in a row!), the annual Street Feast celebration in Greystones and will again be at several Family Fun Days this summer in both Wicklow and Dublin.We are available for events taking place throughout the island of Ireland.If you're having a small event or would prefer not to include Messy Play or art activities, we are also available solely for face painting, too.Simply complete the form below giving a brief description of your event, the date and your requirements and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm rates and availability.

Contact Us

Get in touch with us today. Simply fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible!