Atelier for under-fives

Atelier for under-fives returns to Leeds Art Gallery on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November, with more sessions following on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 December, and Thursday 21 and Friday 22 January 2027. It's a playful, guided art session for children under five and their families, built around the gallery's current exhibitions.

The idea is simple: you and your little ones spend some time in the gallery, looking at the art on display, and then move into a dedicated space to make something of your own. It's less of a structured class and more of a guided exploration, where curiosity and discovery take the lead. Each session is supported by an experienced Early Years practitioner who sets up an imaginative environment with materials and ideas influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which treats children as capable and curious learners who lead their own learning through play and exploration. All under-fives are welcome, including very young babies, so it works whether you've got a toddler who can't sit still or a baby who's just starting to take things in.

Because the sessions are inspired by the gallery's exhibitions, what you'll be doing changes depending on what's on the walls. It's a way of bringing the art down to a child's level, letting them respond to it with their own materials rather than just being told about it. The practitioner is there to support and nudge along, but the focus is on the children's own creative expression.

There are two time slots each day: 10:30–11:40 and 12:20–13:30, so you can pick the one that fits your morning. The dates are Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November, Thursday 17 and Friday 18 December, and Thursday 21 and Friday 22 January 2027, all at Leeds Art Gallery.