HAPPY HANDS Art is a community art program focusing on letting kids develop their fun and creative side and a new branch is about to open in Deloraine. Carolin Schmitz is the founder and director of Happy Hands. She says, ‘Happy Hands is a place where parents can bring their children to experience messy crafts, fun and sensory play. They are all the things that parents are not too keen doing at home because, let’s face it, it leaves a big mess right?’

right?’ Happy Hands is true to their motto: ‘The mess stays with us!’ Which is exactly what every parent needs to hear. In 2011 the first branch of Happy Hands opened in Nunawading, Victoria where it was established as a non-profit community program. Children aged 1–5 years and parents can interact together and get creative in a comfortable vibrant space where. Happy Hands has since spread across Victoria, NSW and Queensland and is excited to expand into Tasmania this coming term. Happy Hands is a practical hands-on program designed to build self-confidence in children by exploring new things. The sessions run for 1.5 hours and they are very structured, understanding that children this age have a short attention span and respond well to structure.

‘We live in a technology world and you often see children with their iPads or with their iPhones being out of touch with things around them. We are really intentional about creating these environments where children are encouraged to experience, feel, create, paint and glue,’ says Carolin. This program encourages and proves that children can have fun without technology. There are a lot of benefits for parents attending Happy Hands as well, with plenty of opportunity to meet other parents, make friendships and be part of a supportive community.

‘We are creating a space where mums can meet other mums, where there is a community feel, a space where people can feel that they belong, but also a place where parents can spend special bonding time with their child each week.’ Happy Hands teams are run by volunteers, which means the program is affordable for any family. Children enjoy a whole 1.5 creative hours for $8.80, including morning tea. The Happy Hands team are committed to making their program accessible to anyone. Check out their website and register at www.happyhandsart.com.au.