Children's Clubs & Camps
Our children's art & craft clubs provide a calm, screen-free environment for toddlers, school-aged children, and home-educated children. Explore painting, crafting, and collage, build confidence, make friends, and have fun during after-school clubs, holiday camps, and special creative events.
Minibugs Toddler Art
Looking for a toddler group that’s fun, friendly, and just the right amount of messy? Minibugs is your midweek dose of creativity, connection, and calm.
What to expect & more info
Why Families Love Minibugs:
- Weekly themed sessions (dinosaurs, farms, vehicles, zoos!)
- Small, welcoming groups with no pressure - just play
- Messy painting (we love the mess, so you don’t have to!)
- Sensory play with tuff trays & homemade playdough
- Dress-up & role play (even a pretend coffee machine!)
- Story & song time
For Grown-Ups:
Enjoy a warm cuppa, friendly chat, and a chance to connect with others in a relaxed, pressure-free space.
After School Club
Welcome to a screen-free, nurturing space where children can unwind, express themselves, and enjoy relaxed, meaningful play after the school bell rings.
Flexible options & activities
Walking Bus (£12)
3:00pm – 6:00pm. We collect your child from local schools and bring them straight to Doodlebugs.
Drop-Off Session (£8)
4:00pm – 6:00pm. An affordable option if you drop your child off.
Why Choose Doodlebugs After School?
- Small, calm groups (max 16) – ideal for emotional well-being.
- Daily LEGO play and introduction to knitting, crochet, and sewing.
- Screen-free zone fostering real-world play and imagination.
- Healthy snack provided each day.
- Supportive, caring staff who truly get to know your child.
Holiday Arts Camp
Small in size. Big on creativity. A calm, creative alternative to the usual holiday chaos packed with glue, glitter, and giggles!
What’s the Day Like?
- Morning Masterpiece: Guided art session using real techniques. Every child takes home their creation!
- Lunch Break: Chilled-out picnic vibes with friends (bring a nut-free packed lunch).
- Afternoon Craft Zone: Hands-on textiles, junk modelling, seasonal themes, and quiet zones for LEGO or reading.
Why Choose Doodlebugs?
- Small groups = big attention
- Boosts confidence, imagination & friendships
- All materials are completely provided
Focused Art Group
Ready to take your child’s creativity to the next level? Designed for young people who love art and want to grow their skills in a fun, relaxed environment.
11-Week Term Highlights
- Week 1–2: Art foundations (mark making, drawing)
- Week 3–4: Composition & colour theory
- Week 5–6: Art styles & artist-inspired projects
- Week 7–10: Develop personal style & mediums
- Week 11: Create an original Masterpiece!
More Than Just Art:
- Children learn to reflect on their process
- We build confidence through creativity (over perfectionism)
- All materials provided (including A3 pad & portfolio)
Home Ed Creative Group
Midweek sessions where parents/carers are welcome to stay and join the fun. Explore different materials and connect with like-minded families.
Why families love this group
- Calm, inclusive, screen-free space (max 16 children).
- Encourages imagination, confidence & friendships.
- A place for both children and carers to connect.
We even have time for a cuppa and a chat! A gentle space to share with your child, Doodlebugs offers a creative home-from-home.
What Parents Say
We are incredibly proud of the supportive, creative community we've built. Here is what local parents have to say about Doodlebugs.
"My 6yo daughter feels safe at Doodlebugs and looks forward to going! Mandi, Lenya and Yvonne are fantastic and have really taken time to get to know the 'real' Jasmine. Highly recommend, especially for anyone with Neurodiversity struggling to find the right setting. This is an all inclusive, highly caring and very safe environment."
"Doodlebugs has been an absolute game-changer for my son! His imagination and creativity have blossomed beyond my wildest dreams. It turns out we’ve had to raid IKEA for a new desk to accommodate all the amazing creations he continues to make! The cherry on top? He absolutely loves the walking bus from school!"
"Minibugs Mum and Toddler Group is absolutely fantastic! Mandy and Lenya do an amazing job creating a safe, warm, and nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and grow. The weekly classes are thoughtfully planned with rotating themes and engaging arts and crafts activities."
"This is a really lovely group, led by 2 really talented ladies who love their craft. Tailored to each individual’s interests they can guide the children through knitting, sewing, crochet, painting in different ways, map drawing & so much more. A great place for home educated families near St Albans."
"I can't express enough how thankful I am for Doodlebugs! My little boy absolutely loves it, and it has been such a joy to see how much he has grown. His social skills have blossomed, and he has become so much more chatty and engaged with other kids. A huge thank you to everyone there—you are amazing!"
"My son LOVED his ‘doodlebugs’ days this half term!! Thank you for all that you do, it’s amazing to see their creations and Tommy was proud of himself with what he made! He loves his arts & crafts so this place is perfect."
Moments of Magic
Take a peek at the messy, wonderful creations happening in our studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about our classes? Here are some quick answers.
What should my child wear to a session?
Clothes you (and they) don't mind getting messy! While we use washable paints wherever possible and provide aprons for the really messy activities, art is a hands-on experience. We highly recommend sending them in older clothes they can freely create in.
Do I need to stay with my child?
For Minibugs (Toddlers) and Home Ed groups: Yes, these are "stay and play" style sessions where parents/carers are required to stay.
For After School, Holiday Camps, and Focused Art: No, these are drop-off sessions! You can leave your child in our safe, capable hands and enjoy a few hours to yourself.
Do you cater to SEN / neurodivergent children?
Absolutely. We pride ourselves on providing a calm, inclusive, and pressure-free environment. We limit our group sizes to a maximum of 16 children to prevent the space from becoming overwhelming. If your child has specific needs or triggers, please let us know when booking so we can best support them!
Are food and snacks provided?
For our After School Club, we provide a healthy snack.
For our Holiday Camps, we ask that you provide a packed lunch and a water bottle for your child. Please note: We are a strictly nut-free environment.
Still have questions? We'd love to help.
Email Us