ART CLASSES IN DOVER, NH

Our art classes give toddlers and preschoolers a joyful, hands-on place to paint, sculpt, squish and explore alongside the grown-ups who love them. Designed by board-certified music therapist Marissa Scott, Makin’ A Mess builds creativity, sensory exploration and confidence for children from 18 months to 5 years old in Dover, NH.

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BUY A PUNCH CARD
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Smiling child with flour-covered hands during a messy sensory activity in Makin’ A Mess art class

MAKIN’ A MESS WITH ME

Ages 18 Months - 5 Years I With Caregiver | Dover, NH

Get ready to get messy! Makin' a Mess is a creative art enrichment class for toddlers and young children, designed to strengthen parent-child relationships and build strong social-emotional skills through creativity, imagination, and play. Little ones will draw, paint, sculpt, create, and explore sensory materials — and yes, we strongly encourage you to get messy with your kids!

Classes with only one registered participant will be cancelled. You will have the opportunity to reschedule with a credit or receive a full refund.

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Class Schedule

GROOVE & GROW

Crawling to 4 years
With caregiver
Mon 9 & 10 am · Maddie
Tue 9 & 10 am · Cacia
Thu 9 & 10 am · Kathryn
Fri 9 & 10 am · Cacia

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BABY GROOVES

Birth to crawling
With caregiver
Currently on pause

Join the Waitlist

GROOVE & GROW
FOR BIG KIDS

Ages 5 to 8
Independent
Wed 4 pm · Elisha

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MAKIN’ A MESS

18 months to 5 years
With caregiver
Tue 11 am · Marissa
Thu 11 am · Kathryn

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Music & Art Class Pricing

SINGLE CLASS

$20 per class. Pay as you go and drop into any music or art class that fits your week, with no commitment.

Register for a Class

PUNCH CARD

$100 for 6 classes, so you get one free. Punch cards never expire, work for any music or art class, and refund automatically if you cancel.

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SIBLING PUNCH CARD

$150 for 6 classes for two children. Brothers and sisters can share the fun, with the same flexibility as our regular punch card.

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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

$660 per year for one child, or $990 for multiple children. Enjoy unlimited music and art classes for a full year, about $55 a month.

Join as a Member

Punch cards and memberships make great gifts, so look for our sales in May and November. Looking for lessons or preschool programs? Reach out and we’ll walk you through pricing.

SCHOLARSHIPS & ACCESSIBILITY

BIPOC Scholarship We offer no-questions-asked, no-limit, free participation in all enrichment classes to BIPOC individuals, caregivers, and children. Use code BIPOCSCHOLARSHIP at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, everybody stays and everybody plays! Makin’ A Mess is a with-caregiver class, and kids love seeing their grown-ups paint, squish and get messy right alongside them.

  • Clothes that can get messy! Paint and sensory materials can stain, so we recommend play clothes for both kids and grown-ups.

  • No. You can drop in for a single class, buy a punch card, or join as a member, whatever fits your family’s schedule.

  • Punch cards and memberships can be used for any of our music and art enrichment classes: Baby Grooves, Groove & Grow, Groove & Grow for Big Kids and Makin’ A Mess. They can’t be used for music lessons, preschool programs, or music therapy, art therapy or counseling sessions.

  • No. Punch cards never expire, and if you need to cancel a class, the punch is refunded automatically.

  • No. Makin’ A Mess is all about exploring and creating, not making a perfect finished piece, so every child can join in whatever their experience or abilities.

  • Yes. All of our classes are built to welcome children of every ability, and our teachers are music and art therapists experienced in supporting disabled, autistic and neurodivergent kids. Children are free to move, explore, take breaks and join in their own way, and we’re happy to talk with you ahead of time about anything that would help your child feel comfortable.

  • That’s okay! There’s no right or wrong way to make art. If your child wants to mix all the colors, skip the project and just squish the paint, or wander over to see what a friend is making, they’re still learning and exploring. Follow their lead, and we only ask that you step in if they’re being unsafe with their body or the materials.

  • It’s okay to take a break, even if that means stepping out of the room for a minute or two, and you’re always welcome to come back when you’re ready.

  • Classes with only one registered participant are canceled. We’ll contact you by the method you chose on your registration form, so please make sure your contact information is up to date. You’ll be able to reschedule with a credit or get a full refund.

  • We ask that phones stay put away during class, but feel free to take a few pictures. If you post online, please be mindful of protecting other children’s identities.

  • At The Sonatina Center, 750 Central Ave, Suite U, in Dover, NH.

  • No. Makin’ A Mess is an enrichment class focused on fun, creativity and connection. If you’re looking for individualized therapy goals, art therapy may be a better fit.

  • Yes! Two grown-ups are welcome to join one child.

  • Absolutely. Any trusted grown-up in your child’s life is welcome to come and join in.

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