a little about us

Small, messy, joyful sessions

Pudgy Penguin Play is a home-studio playgroup where children aged 6 months to 5 years paint, squish, build and imagine their way through the visit, with a grown-up they love right beside them the whole time.

Sessions are kept deliberately small: approximately 10 children, so every little one has room to explore at their own pace, and every grown-up has space to breathe, chat, and enjoy a cuppa.

🤝 A grown-up stays, every time

Pudgy Penguin Play is caregiver-present. A parent, grandparent or carer stays with their child and is responsible for them throughout each session. This isn't a drop-off service. Sharing the session together keeps things warm, safe and connected.

hello!

Hi, I'm Danni 👋

I'm a mum of two perfectly imperfect kiddos, wife to an amazingly supportive husband, and chief wrangler of a furry golden tornado named Sullivan. 🐶

I love arts and crafts of every kind. Give me a sewing machine or a bit of hot glue and I can fix almost anything (or so the kids seem to think!). I've always loved playing and mucking about with little ones, and Pudgy Penguin Play is my excuse to get my hands back in the slime and play dough, and watch the excitement on little faces as they explore.

Some say I'm crazy to invite people to make a mess in my house, and they might be right! I can't wait to meet you and your tiny humans and bring a little messy fun to their days. 🌈🎨💜

what we get up to

What a session involves

Sessions run from 10 am to 12 pm on Wednesdays. Come and go as it suits you: arrive whenever you like and stay for half an hour or the whole two hours. Every session mixes craft, messy and imaginative play, with a quiet corner for winding down and a cuppa for the grown-ups. All materials are included. Just bring a change of clothes, a hat and a snack!

Craft

Painting, collage, sticking and snipping. Hands-on and gloriously colourful.

Messy play

Sensory bins, dough, foam, rice and water play. Smocks provided!

Imaginative play

Dress-ups, small worlds, loose parts and role-play corners.

Quiet space

A calm corner with books and cushions for little ones who need a few minutes to wind down.

How a visit works 🐧

A guide rather than a timetable. There's no set start, and if the little ones are having fun, nobody gets rushed on.

10 am

Doors openArrive whenever suits you

Any time

Explore the stationsCraft, messy and imaginative play at your own pace, with the quiet corner when needed

11:30 am

Last entryCome in by half past eleven

12 pm

Session endsPack away and goodbye

A peek at the play 📸

Trays, crafts and set-ups from real sessions.

Dinosaur small-world tray with blue water beads, river stones, ferns, sand, toy dinosaurs and a bamboo chute.

Construction-themed sensory tray with toy diggers, pebbles, pasta, tiny bricks and crumbly brown dirt laid out around a road circuit.

A child holds out two hands covered in blue and purple paint above a messy painting mat.

Two decorated two-tier play cakes covered in pink, purple and blue foam, sprinkles and pipe-cleaner candles, on display in the studio.

See more in the gallery

always something new

Six weeks of themes

Each term rolls through playful themes like these, so every few weeks brings a fresh little adventure. They're examples rather than a fixed list, and we'll happily follow whatever the kids are loving.

Week 1Animals

Week 2Colours & rainbows

Week 3Under the sea

Week 4Seasons & nature

Week 5Transport

Week 6Superheroes & fairytales

good to know

The practical bits

Wednesdays

10 am to 12 pm · come and go

11:30 am

Last entry · ages 6 mths to 5 yrs

Approx. 10

Children per session

Beaconsfield

Home studio, Vic

What to bring: a change of clothes (things get messy!), a hat, and a snack for your little one. We're nut-aware, so please leave nuts at home. Smocks, all craft and sensory materials, and tea & coffee for the grown-ups are on us. The studio address is shared with families once a session is booked.

simple, all-inclusive

Pricing

First child

$30

per session · all materials included

Second child

$20

per session · all materials included

Third and each extra child

$15

per session · all materials included

👶 Babies under 6 months are welcome and come along free.

🎟️ Session packs: 3 sessions for $80 (saving $10) or 5 sessions for $125 (saving $25). Use them for any child in your family, one credit per child per session. No expiry date.

Holiday sessions

same prices

extra sessions in the school holidays · ages 6 months to 8 years · same come-and-go format · dates on the booking page · caregiver-present

Private hire

from $200

2 hours · your own little group

🎁 Keep an eye out for special occasion sessions during the year, like Father's Day and Mother's Day, where the kids make a little something to take home for someone they love. These run at an extra charge, with details shared closer to each date.

good questions

Frequently asked

Do I stay with my child?

Yes, every session is caregiver-present. A parent, grandparent or carer stays and is responsible for their little one throughout. It's a shared session, not a drop-off.

What ages is it for?

Regular sessions are for children aged 6 months to 5 years. They run on Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 pm, and you can arrive whenever suits and stay as long as you like (last entry 11:30 am). Babies under 6 months are welcome too and come along free. Holiday sessions welcome ages 6 months to 8 years.

What should we wear and bring?

Pop your little one in clothes that can get messy, and bring a change of clothes, a hat and a snack. We're nut-aware, so please leave nuts at home. Smocks and all craft and sensory materials are provided.

How big are the groups?

Small and cosy. Approximately 10 children per session, so every child has plenty of space to explore at their own pace.

What if we can't make a session?

Life happens! Get in touch as early as you can and we'll do our best to help. Full booking and cancellation details are shown when you book.

come and play

Bookings are open!

Pick a session

Choose a Wednesday that suits. Sessions run 10 am to 12 pm and you can come and go.

Book & pay online

Secure your spot in a few taps through our booking page.

Come & play

Turn up, settle in, and get wonderfully messy together.

Book a session 🐧

Questions before you book? Follow @pudgypplay on Instagram or email hello@pudgypenguinplay.com.au and we'll happily help.

💛 Remember: a parent or carer stays for the whole visit.