I’m frequently looking for new ways to entertain my 2-year-old, and I’ve found that there are lots of toddler activities in Milton Keynes. I’ve been trying to steer Ivy towards exploring a creative side recently, so took her along to a Start The Art session at MK Gallery to play and explore.
The Start The Art sessions are designed to explore your toddlers’ senses with new smells, textures and learn more about the world through play. Each week the session is a different theme, with different activities, so there are lots for your child to explore.
I took Ivy along to MK Gallery for one of the sessions, and wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived. It’s described as ‘informal creative play’, which drew me to joining one of the sessions – as my daughter definitely doesn’t like structured activities and prefers to do her own thing! When we arrived we were welcomed by a member of staff, who explained the theme of the week and the activities that they had out, and then we were free to play with whatever we wanted!
The week we visited it was a bonfire night theme, so there was things we could stick to create our own fireworks, lots of colouring, chalks, paints, and a couple of sensory items you could play with. Ivy took no time in wondering around all the different activities and getting stuck in! Our favourite activity was definitely the painting, and there were big turf trays to contain all the paints in. While we were playing different members of staff were coming around and talking to the children, showing them different ways to do things and giving us ideas for things to do.
There is also a quieter corner, with a tunnel and tent your toddlers can climb through, some mats with smaller toys to play with, and lots of books. Ivy took some time to play in this area towards the end of the session, and loved sitting down to read a few books with me to have a calm down from all the excitement of paint! There were a few people using this area with smaller children with them as well as toddlers, as it’s a great area for quieter activities.
We really enjoyed visiting MK Gallery for the Start The Art sessions, and it was nice to take Ivy to something else a bit different for a toddler activity that’s not softplay or gymnastics. I loved seeing her get involved with all the different activities, especially as she’s not show much of an interest in them before.
How to Find it
Start The Art sessions are run in the MK Gallery event space, opposite the entrance to MK Gallery. You can find MK Gallery at 900 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 3QA – use the map below for directions. There is parking around the gallery, but you’ll need to pay for parking.
Good to Know
- Sessions are for pre school children and run on Tuesdays in term time
- Sessions are at 10am, 11am and 12pm
- Sessions cost £6 for an adult and child, and £2 for an additional child
- Each week is a different theme, so there’s lots to explore!
I’ve Enjoyed Start The Art, Where Can I Go Next?
If you’ve enjoyed Start the Art sessions, then you can always go into MK Gallery for a look around afterwards – and on Tuesday’s Milton Keynes residents get in for free! If you’re looking for another toddler activity similar to Start the Art, MK Gallery also hosts Sensory Toddle Tours which run every few months and are free – keep an eye out for these! MK Gallery also has a lovely cafe if you fancy a bite to eat or a coffee afterwards which is very reasonably priced. There’s also the Playscape behind the gallery next to the theatre, which is great to let your toddlers run around and burn off some energy!
The gallery is also a short walk away from the shopping centre or the Xscape, where you can find other places to eat, shop and visit.
