Backyartists

Backyartists Curated process art and sensory exploration for children ages 18 months to 7 years

In Sensory Fun (18 mos - 5 yrs) classes this week, children created “popsicles,” “football pasta (gnocchi),” and more wi...
11/21/2025

In Sensory Fun (18 mos - 5 yrs) classes this week, children created “popsicles,” “football pasta (gnocchi),” and more with cinnamon and clove scented playdough, fun tools, and ice cube trays. Many of these creations “baked” in our popular cardboard oven.

Squeezing glue is one of our favorite hand strengthening exercises and one the kids love. This week children squeezed glue onto cardboard and used their fine motor skills to pick up and place dried beans, peas, and lentils onto the squeezed glue.

This week, we had our cranberry bog sensory bin, which one parent deemed as the “most New England” sensory bin ever 😆 . ...
11/21/2025

This week, we had our cranberry bog sensory bin, which one parent deemed as the “most New England” sensory bin ever 😆 . Every year before Thanksgiving, we set up colorful and fragrant bins of water, fresh cranberries, and orange slices. The children love feeling the fruit, squishing and squeezing it, and, of course, scooping, pouring, and dumping.

Today at Messy Minis (6-18 months), the group was busy exploring everything- Playdough with loose parts, water with ball...
11/18/2025

Today at Messy Minis (6-18 months), the group was busy exploring everything- Playdough with loose parts, water with balls and mirrors, and filling and dumping in a ball pit! The toddlers used their feet, hands and whole bodies to paint under bubble wrap. The egg shakers continue to be a crowd favorite and make their way to each activity as well!

Join next Monday 9-9:45 at the link: https://www.backyartists.com/art-classes-playgroup (click on the camps/events tab)

Clay coil pots with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers yesterday!
11/13/2025

Clay coil pots with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers yesterday!

More jellyfish 🪼 from the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers!
11/07/2025

More jellyfish 🪼 from the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers!

We finished off our 3-week paper mache project with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers by turning our creations int...
11/07/2025

We finished off our 3-week paper mache project with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers by turning our creations into jellyfish! Children used yarn, foil, and pipe cleaners to add tentacles to their jellyfish and everyone loved how they turned out!

Today at Messy Minis (6-18 months), the group really enjoyed playing with the orange water, ping-pong balls, metal bowls...
11/04/2025

Today at Messy Minis (6-18 months), the group really enjoyed playing with the orange water, ping-pong balls, metal bowls, and spoons. We saw a lot of collecting, dumping, scooping, and sharing at this station. The sensory bags on the light table inspired one child to smoosh the paint around with their hands and their head. The group also spent a good portion of the morning checking out the play-dough. One friend enjoyed pulling it apart to make little pieces, while another friend liked the way it felt on her toes.

The babies and toddlers are beginning to recognize one another and pick up on the routine of the class, which is so cool to see after only 3 sessions ❤️

There are still some available spots in our upcoming classes, and we’d love for you to join in the fun! Register at: https://www.backyartists.com/art-classes-playgroup (click the camps/events tab)

Please join us in supporting local families who are facing food insecurity. When you come to class, starting next week ...
11/02/2025

Please join us in supporting local families who are facing food insecurity. When you come to class, starting next week on Tuesday, November 4th, bring along non-perishable food and personal care items to donate. When our box is full we’ll bring it over to Arlington Eats to donate. Arlington Eats also welcomes monetary donations to help cover expenses, and has an Amazon wishlist.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 4 - Tuesday, Nov. 25th, during class hours
Where: Backyartists Art Studio, 8 Medford St., Arlington
What: Non-perishable food items such as: coffee, tea, shelf stable milk, cereal, granola bars, peanut butter, sunbutter, vegetable oil, and more. Personal care items such as: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc.

Thank you for helping care for our community!

Part two of our paper mache project with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers: Children were so excited to arrive at ...
10/31/2025

Part two of our paper mache project with the K-2nd grade Afternoon Art Explorers: Children were so excited to arrive at the studio and see that the paper mache had hardened. They GASPED in excitement and awe when they cut the balloons inside, watched them shrivel up, and saw that the paper mache retained its shape! Then, children cut the paper mache into the shape they wanted and used a variety of paint to add colors. This group loves mixing colors to get the exact shade they like and we got to see lots of that in action! We told them that they could add a second layer of paint to cover the words from the newspaper underneath, but most of them liked how it looked to see the words and pictures coming through a bit. We can’t wait to finish off this three-part project next week!

Fall themed Sensory Fun (18 months - 5 years) classes this week!
10/29/2025

Fall themed Sensory Fun (18 months - 5 years) classes this week!

This week in Messy Minis, we had the opportunity to play with (taste-safe) slime and paint! Some enjoyed the sensation o...
10/27/2025

This week in Messy Minis, we had the opportunity to play with (taste-safe) slime and paint! Some enjoyed the sensation of the cold paint and slippery slime, while others preferred to explore squishing them around in sensory bags on the light table. There was lots of scooping, dumping, and splashing. We also observed the children observing one another! Can’t wait to play again next week!

Register for next Monday at: https://www.backyartists.com/art-classes-playgroup (click the camps/events tab)

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8 Medford Street
Methuen, MA
02474

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