Imagine Play Inspire

07/12/2025

Proud to be the messiest party in town 😁

On the weekend we celebrated a fairy & mermaid inspired art play party for a young creative turning 7.

"I love doing art so I chose an art party" - birthday girl.

Mixing colours, exploring mark making using unusual painting tools, problem-solving, collaboration, and fun, so much fun!

Keen for an art play party yourself? Reach out and I'll send you the details ❤️

04/12/2025

I see it all the time... the older the children I'm working with are, the more pressure they feel to get it "right".

When new kids start taking our classes, they often ask "What are we meant to do?" or "Am I allowed to use this colour?" - waiting for step-by-step instructions...

Fast forward to the end of term, and these same kids have learned to trust their own creative instincts again, and are confident in expressing their unique creative voice. They gleefully share with other newbies that "in this art class, you can do what you want - and you can't get it wrong!"

Below is a recent story from our classes...where "getting it wrong" couldn't have been any more right.

In Monday’s Creative Explorers class the tamariki were making yarn letters: wrapping yarn around large cardboard shapes. They could choose different yarns, colours and textures, but the activity it…

20/11/2025

Save this one! ❤️

An invitation to create that's super simple to prep, only needs a few basic materials and is nice and open-ended - meaning anything is possible and no 'wrong' outcomes are possible. I dare you to try 😁

As an adult, I love watching kids add meaning to these watercolours blobs. It comes so naturally to them and I often find my perspective change and my mind open just seeing their process.

I remember from a class just this week gone, one artist remarked, when looking down at his piece of paper: "Well this is definitely a crocodile." Confidently and assured.

I personally had not seen any animal or creature in that particular blob, which was of a brown colour.

And I thought to myself, when do we stop seeing possibilities in everything? And start doubting our own perspective and instincts?

Anyway, give this one a go - and you know I love, love, love getting your messages of you and/or your kids getting creative at home. So don't hold back 😁

20/11/2025

Recent words from a parent...

This family has started 2:1 classes with us in November 2024. One year of weekly art & play sessions, and they have flown by!

Art journal adventures, abstract mark making, clay sculptures, mask creations, painting to music, toy decoration, messy art exploration, self-portraits, storytelling, observational drawing......but most of all having fun making mistakes and the freedom to express and follow their own ideas. ❤️

Keen for your child to also experience this calm, creative environment?

Class registration for our after-school programmes opens next week. Jump on the mailing list to make sure you don't miss out - we keep our classes small, and they book out fast.

If you think your child can benefit from our 1:1 classes, we only have 1 x afternoon spot available next term - get in quick! Just send a message to find out more 😊

19/11/2025

Last week, I left a huge box of cardboard, bubble wrap and other recycled treasures behind after finishing a private session. I didn’t even realise until I got a text later that evening, asking whether I needed the box. Safe to say I’ve entered silly season 🫠

This time of year, I often find myself doing aaaall the things and yet somehow not doing enough. I start skipping the fun and relaxing bits in my days, first here and there, then completely...because "stuff's gotta get done".

My emotional state? Frazzled. Scattered. Reactive.

When I was teaching full-time, I noticed come mid/end of term 4 that emotions were running high amongst the tamariki...with parents (and teachers!) being equally exhausted.

I don't have a magic wand to make the stress disappear. But what I do have are some tools and practices you (and I) can use to bring some more calm into our busy days... 👇🏽

Keeping this one short on the story front but packed with useful things to help you get through what can be a busy time of the year, often with emotions running high… A snap from a recent 1:1 class…

13/11/2025

Some recent self-reflections around adult play and creativity.

I find it surprising that, even though I constantly go on about "being in the process" and "letting go of the end result", I still find myself in moments of (self-imposed) "outcome pressure" and worrying about getting it not just right but perfect.

Here's what I noticed:

1) Focusing on the outcome steals the magic.
The minute I start judging or predicting how a project will turn out and be received by others, I lose connection... with myself, with the moment, and with the process.

2) More play = more joy.
After three weekends of shows and workshops, I started noticing so much more play in my everyday life. Silly chats with my partner, lighter conversations with strangers, and an overall mood boost.

3) Facilitating play lights me up.
Watching the transformation from nervous adults to confident, joyful grown-ups embracing their inner child reminded me why I love being part of and creating experiences like these.

Which of these surprises you, or feels familiar? I’d love to hear. ❤️

10/11/2025

What really happens when we come together and create alongside each other?

Without being told what to do... And instead, have the permission to create freely.

To make a mess.

To make mistakes. To then realise that there's no such thing as "making mistakes" in art.

To understand that our voice is unique, and that this uniqueness matters.

To experience calm and inner peace. To, for a moment, let go of what, just seconds ago, made our heart race.

To connect with ourselves, and to connect with each other, from one human heart to another.

To slow down, to be present in this very moment.

To let our hands wander, and perhaps our mind too.

To be surprised by all the things we can create.

To experience joy... to be delighted by the process, and by each other's work.

What really happens when all this takes place, and more? ❤️

Keen to hear your thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments 😊

05/11/2025

A recent chat inspired some reflection around joy. Are we born as more or less joyful humans? What are the simple things we can do to experience more joy?

Spoiler alert: more play = more joy... 🙃

Franzi reflects on their frequent joy and attributes it to spending time with children, who appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Childhood play fostered creativity and connection, and adult pl…

05/11/2025

“Franzi, when are you going to do something like this for us adults?”

A question asked frequently before and after our kids’ classes.

Well…

Here’s your answer. 🙃

So very excited to be getting this off the ground after months (who am I kidding, it’s been at least a year 🫠) of contemplation, experimenting and planning.

Know someone who needs this? Share it.

Keen to join? Message me. ❤️