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Messy little fingers and big imaginations
✶ Messy little fingers and big imaginations
Messy Fun
!At Messy Martians, we embrace the mess and joy that come with sensory experiences. Through activities like painting, play dough, water play, and dancing, children can explore, create, and develop motor skills while having loads of fun. Our classes are designed to spark curiosity, boost confidence, and promote cognitive and physical growth. We also offer parties, events, and collaborate with schools and early years settings to bring the benefits of messy play to even more children across Belfast.
Meet Ciare Ellen Hamilton, the spirited Director of Messy Martians LTD, where she believes "messy play" isn't just for fun —it's an essential child development tool. As a child, Ciare was a whirlwind of energy, diving into every sport imaginable until gymnastics caught her eye and refused to let go. At the young age of 15 she began working with children at the gym and knew this was her passion in life. Her infectious enthusiasm and genuine care made her a favourite among children, who flocked to her classes from far and wide.
After her initial coaching experiences, Ciare transitioned into special needs education, where she has been for the past 12 years and continued to make a significant impact. She pursued extensive training to enhance her skills, excelling in communication, supporting children's emotional and social needs, and safeguarding their well-being.
With an artistic flair that could rival Da Vinci (if Da Vinci preferred finger paints), Ciare crafts imaginative classes that captivate and inspire. She firmly believes that the best learning involves fun—and the messier, the better. Under her leadership, Messy Martians LTD has become a haven where every child is encouraged to explore, create, and, most importantly, get delightfully messy
Important Note: If your child has any allergies, please mention them at the time of booking. For safety reasons, we advise booking at least one week in advance to allow us time to accommodate any specific needs or allergies.
Our Approach
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Sensory Exploration Through Play
We believe children learn best when they engage all their senses. Our activities like painting, play dough, and water play let kids explore textures, colours, and shapes, sparking creativity and curiosity in every messy moment!
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Building Essential Motor Skills
Messy play isn’t just fun—it’s vital for developing fine and gross motor skills. From using their hands and feet to squish, squeeze, and spread, children strengthen their muscles and coordination while enjoying every messy activity.
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Fostering Independence and Confidence
We create an environment where children can explore at their own pace. This freedom encourages self-expression, decision-making, and builds confidence as they take charge of their messy creations.
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Promoting Cognitive and Emotional Growth
Messy play supports problem-solving, critical thinking, and emotional development. As children experiment with different materials and activities, they gain valuable skills that support both their mental and emotional growth, setting the foundation for lifelong learning.
Class Highlights
Sensory Exploration
Developmental Benefits
Themed Adventures Every Week
How it works
Payment options
Pay Weekly: Simply pay for each class as you go, with no commitment required beyond each week.
First Come, First Served: Our classes are popular, so spaces are limited to 15 children per session. Be sure to book early to secure your spot!
Sibling Add-On: Want to bring a sibling along? Add an extra child for just £4. When booking, select one space for the first child, then choose the sibling add-on to include them in the fun.
FAQs
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Each class lasts for 1 hour. This gives children enough time to fully engage with the activities, explore different sensory experiences, and have fun!
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Our messy play classes are suitable for children aged 2- 7 years old, and our sen classes age range from 2-10 years. We tailor activities to be age-appropriate and fun for every stage of development.
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For SEN classes, we keep the class size small with up to 10 children to ensure each child receives individual support and attention.
For our regular messy play classes, we have a maximum of 15 children per session.
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Yes! You can bring a sibling along for just an additional £4. Simply book one space for the first child and select the sibling add-on when booking.
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Each booking is for the current week's class. Simply reserve your spot for the upcoming class of your choice online. For the sibling add-on, be sure to add it when booking for the first child.
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Absolutely! All materials used in our messy play sessions are non-toxic and safe for children to use. We make sure every activity is suitable for little hands and worry-free for parents.
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We recommend dressing your child in old clothes as the activities can get messy! We provide all the materials, but it's always a good idea to bring along a change of clothes for after the fun.
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Yes, parent attendance is mandatory. We want parents to be part of the experience, and your support and participation ensure that your child gets the most out of the session.
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If your child has SEN needs, we recommend our SEN class to ensure the session is tailored to their requirements. For all other children, the regular messy play class is a great option! Feel free to reach out if you're unsure which is best for your child.
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If your child has any allergies, please inform us at the time of booking. For safety reasons, we recommend booking at least one week in advance to allow us time to accommodate any specific needs or allergies. We strive to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all children.
Class pricing
1 class
£8.5
Popular
£34
4 class package
£32.5
Best value
£68
8 class package