A new ‘messy play’ sensory art centre for toddlers and kids is opening in Ballincollig

It’s all of the fun with none of the clean-up.
A brand-new messy play and sensory art centre for toddlers and young children is opening its doors in Ballincollig, offering little ones the chance to explore creativity, texture, and colour in the most hands-on way possible.
Designed to encourage curiosity, imagination, and fine motor skills, the sessions at Busy Doing – The Messy Place, which opens in November, promise a joyful mix of painting, splashing, squishing, and experimenting — all in a safe, child-led environment (and far away from your living room walls!).
The creative force behind the project is Early Years Play Specialist and well-known Instagram personality Mairead Sullivan.
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“Busy Doing has always been a dream of mine, my background is in Early Education and Therapeutic Play skills.” Mairead told Yay Cork.
“I’ve always valued the importance of sensory and open-ended play and I wanted a space I could give those play opportunities to children of all ages. Play is the work of the child, it’s how they process and learn and when they are playing they are very much, “busy doing,” hence the name.
“As a parent, I equally appreciate messy play isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Nobody wants to be picking slime out of the sofa or play dough out of the rugs! So at Busy Doing, We make the mess for you!”
Busy Doing – The Messy Place will cater for children aged from 18 months to 12 years old in a purpose-designed environment for small group sessions and classes.
An online booking system will be open soon but you can secure your place for the upcoming term by emailing busydoingplay@gmail.com.

