Get ready to GO BIG, GET MESSY, and HAVE LOADS OF FUN!

We’re rolling out giant sheets of paper, splashing loads of paint, and bringing all sorts of fun tools to create the most epic, messy masterpieces ever! Want to paint with your hands? Feet? Sponges or rollers? It’s all about BIG, BOLD, MESSY ART!

Why Messy Play?
Messy Play lets kids take the lead, explore their creativity, and dive into a world of textures and colours. It’s jam-packed with benefits like improving motor skills, problem-solving, and confidence—all while having the best time ever!

The Details:

When: Thursday 12th February

Sessions:
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
11.30 PM – 12:30 PM
Who: Under 5s (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: £8 per child

Bring along your:
Mucky clothes (because the messier, the better!)
Painty feet (to make the coolest footprints ever!)

And don’t miss:

Hot drinks and yummy cakes at our Crafty Café for a post-painting treat!

A Messy, Imaginative, Hands-On Creative Adventure

Time: 4-5 pm
Dates: Thursday 5th February – 26th march (7-week block) (no class Feb half term)
Cost: £45.50 for 7 weeks (£6.50 per session)
Age: 6-11 years (ish)
Location: Ragtag Arts

Ragtag’s Kids Art Club is a fun and friendly weekly session for children aged 5–11 to explore their creativity, try new things, and let their imaginations run wild. Each week, we dive into a different creative process—from painting and sculpture to printmaking, clay, recycled crafts and more. It’s a space to get messy, make stuff, and have fun in a relaxed, supportive environment. We’ll also be linking in with the new Ragtag Parade project at times, giving Art Club kids the chance to contribute to the big creative carnival—but the focus here is on playful exploration, skill-building, and making for the joy of it.

This is a drop-and-go session – parents can relax in the café downstairs or pop to the nearby supermarkets while we get busy making amazing creations. Please complete this consent form HERE  if you plan to leave the building.

Want to try an individual session before committing to the full block? No problem! Get in touch for more details.

Access Info

We want all children to feel safe, welcome and supported. If your child has any additional needs, please let us know. We ask parents/carers to fill in our short access form (LINK HERE) when booking so we can understand how best to support your child. We may follow up by phone or email if anything needs clarification. And if you’d like to chat things through with us beforehand—we’re always happy to help.

Please note: These sessions do not have dedicated access support workers, so children who need 1:1 support will need to attend with a parent, carer or key worker. Unfortunately our building does not currently have a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and some areas can only be accessed by stairs—we’re working on improving this.

Event Details

This half term, join us for self-led crafty workshops in our cozy café and exciting Play Space—perfect for a creative adventure for all ages!

Craft Creation at our Scrap Station
Get crafty with loads of spooky ideas to kickstart your imagination! Try Mask Making,  Frames, or Junk Modelling—or let your creativity run wild and freestyle with our fabulous scrap materials, all in the comfort of our café.
Need inspiration? Choose one of our ready-to-go craft kits!

Play Space Adventure!
Step into our Play Space and let your creativity soar! Build dens, design epic ball runs, and explore endless fun with hands-on activities. The adventure never ends!

Paint a Pot
Fancy something extra special? Paint one of our beautiful pots using our professional glazes. We’ll fire it for you, and you can collect your unique masterpiece to treasure another day!

When to Visit

• Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Tuesday: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Thursday: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM

Cost

• Scrap Station: £5 per child
• Play Space: £5 per child
• Double up: Scrap Station + Play Space for just £7.50
• Paint a Pot: from £8

 Café Treats
Our café will be open, serving delicious cakes, snacks, and hot drinks

No need to book, just drop in. Please not children must be accompanied.

Join our fabulous events team as they take the Ragtag Roadshow on tour at a range of events and festivals taking place across Cumbria and further afield.

When:

Wednesday 18th February

Location:

Barrow Family Hub LLP, Dalton Hub

This Beginner’s Ceramics Course is perfect for those wanting to learn the basics of hand-building with clay! Over the course of 7 weeks, you’ll explore essential techniques such as coiling and slab building. You’ll be introduced to different methods and processes to establish a solid foundation, and then encouraged to develop your own ideas and create unique pieces.

What’s included:

• All materials
• Firing costs
  (Please note: this course does not include using the potter’s wheel.)

Whether you’re looking to start a new hobby or develop your existing skills, this is the place for you… and it’s lots of FUN!

Dates: Tuesday 24th Feb – Tuesday 25th March
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ages: Adult course 18+
Cost: £112.50 for 5 weeks (£22.50 per session)
Location: Ragtag Arts

Time: 4-6pm
Dates: Wednesday 24th February – Weds 25th March (5 week block)
Age: 11-15 years
Location: Ragtag Arts

Cost: Pay as you feel

Book in half term blocks 

£0 free for those who may need it

£32.50 (£6.50 actual cost per session) 

£65 (pay for you and someone else)

Or, pay any amount that suits you

Create, Explore and Be Part of Something Brilliant

Our Youth Arts Club is a weekly creative space for young people aged 11–15 to explore, make, and express themselves in a fun and supportive environment. While we’ll be contributing to the Ragtag Parade by working on exciting collaborative elements—like costumes, props and giant puppets—Youth Arts Club is about much more than just the parade.Throughout the year, participants will get to experiment with a wide range of creative processes, from sculpture and painting to textiles, illustration, performance and more. It’s a space to try new things, build confidence, meet new people and grow creatively. And yes—toasties are always provided, because no one makes good art when they’re hangry.

About Ragtag Parade

We’re so excited to launch Ragtag Parade—a bold, inclusive, and joy-filled carnival project funded by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Awards for All, celebrating creativity, community and sustainability. From September 2025 to November 2026, we’ll be working with people of all ages to co-create giant puppets, costumes, props and performances using reclaimed materials—all culminating in parades at festivals across Cumbria.

Access Info

We want everyone to feel welcome at Youth Arts Club. If you’re disabled, neurodivergent, or have access needs, we’ll do our best to support you. To help us plan, please fill in our short access form (LINK HERE), this gives us a better idea of how we can make the sessions work for you. We may follow up by phone or email if anything needs clarification, and we’re always happy to chat if you have questions or concerns. 

Please note: While we’ll always do what we can, we’re unable to provide personal care or administer medication.

Unfortunately our building does not currently have a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and some areas can only be accessed via stairs—we know this needs improving and are working on it.

Our accessible minibus is available, pick up 3.25pm and drop off 6.25pm at Kirkbie Kendal School, and Pick up 3.45pm and drop off 6.15pm at Queen Catherine School. To book this, please email info@ragtagarts.co.uk.

Please let us know on the consent form below if you’d like to use this service.

Once, you have booked your place, please fill out this consent form LINK HERE

A Messy, Imaginative, Hands-On Creative Adventure

Time: 4-5 pm
Dates: Thursday 5th February – 26th march (7-week block) (no class Feb half term)
Cost: £45.50 for 7 weeks (£6.50 per session)
Age: 6-11 years (ish)
Location: Ragtag Arts

Ragtag’s Kids Art Club is a fun and friendly weekly session for children aged 5–11 to explore their creativity, try new things, and let their imaginations run wild. Each week, we dive into a different creative process—from painting and sculpture to printmaking, clay, recycled crafts and more. It’s a space to get messy, make stuff, and have fun in a relaxed, supportive environment. We’ll also be linking in with the new Ragtag Parade project at times, giving Art Club kids the chance to contribute to the big creative carnival—but the focus here is on playful exploration, skill-building, and making for the joy of it.

This is a drop-and-go session – parents can relax in the café downstairs or pop to the nearby supermarkets while we get busy making amazing creations. Please complete this consent form HERE  if you plan to leave the building.

Want to try an individual session before committing to the full block? No problem! Get in touch for more details.

Access Info

We want all children to feel safe, welcome and supported. If your child has any additional needs, please let us know. We ask parents/carers to fill in our short access form (LINK HERE) when booking so we can understand how best to support your child. We may follow up by phone or email if anything needs clarification. And if you’d like to chat things through with us beforehand—we’re always happy to help.

Please note: These sessions do not have dedicated access support workers, so children who need 1:1 support will need to attend with a parent, carer or key worker. Unfortunately our building does not currently have a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and some areas can only be accessed by stairs—we’re working on improving this.