Mums Matter - Week 5: Creativity, Calm, and Little Painted Robins

After several beautiful (and chilly!) weeks outdoors, the Mums Matter - Nature & Wellbeing Programme moved indoors this week for a cosy, creative session - and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Delivered by Time to Connect CIC, in partnership with Forest Frontiers and supported by Bolton CVS, the programme continues to alternate between age groups each week, offering mums and children the chance to connect through nature, play, and creativity.

With December winds sweeping through the trees, this session brought warmth, laughter, and colour to the day - proof that nature-based inspiration can flourish even when the weather keeps us inside.

A calm space for creativity

The session began in a quiet, welcoming atmosphere. Mums and children gathered on the floor, surrounded by paints, brushes, stones, and natural materials. There was a buzz of excitement, but also something deeply peaceful about the space.

“It was lovely to see the mums meet up and spend time actually sat down on the floor, in a group situation,” Jan reflected. “There was lots of support, lots of communication — and the children felt really chilled out.”

The activity was led by a visiting art facilitator, whose calm, reassuring approach set the tone for the morning. She encouraged the mums and children to explore freely, to experiment, and to embrace the process of creating - not just the final product.

Julie later said:

“The children showed so much curiosity and became fully engaged in the creative session. It was wonderful to see.”

Starting with confidence and connection

To begin, the facilitator invited the children to explore paint through touch - starting by painting their feet and hands.

It was a joyful, giggle-filled beginning. The sensation of cool paint on tiny fingers and toes sparked curiosity and laughter in equal measure. For some of the younger children, it was a first experience of paint play - and it helped build confidence and trust before moving on to the main project.

“We started with sensory painting to help everyone feel comfortable,” Julie explained. “The children painted their hands and feet first, which broke the ice and gave them confidence to carry on.”

This tactile, messy fun also encouraged independence. Once the children had experimented with textures and colours, they began to use brushes, sponges, and even natural items like twigs and leaves to make their own marks.

The room filled with chatter, music, and laughter - the perfect antidote to a grey winter morning.

Little robins taking flight

After warming up with paint play, the group moved on to the main activity: creating painted robin decorations using smooth stones gathered from previous outdoor sessions.

Each child chose their own rock - some round and small, others long and flat - before turning it into a cheerful robin using paint, markers, and a selection of craft tools.

“The children selected their own rocks to paint,” Julie said. “You could see how proud they were to make that choice themselves - it gave them ownership over their work.”

Mums supported their younger children with the more intricate details - tiny red chests, feathery wings, and little eyes - while older toddlers worked independently, experimenting with brushes and patterns.

“The children took risks using various tools to complete their robin,” Julie added. “They were totally engaged throughout.”

The finished creations were delightful - each one unique, colourful, and full of character.

Jan described the atmosphere as “creative and calm,” adding:

“The quality of the work the children did was incredible. Julie was right - the mums probably enjoyed it even more than the kids! To have everything there in front of you and end up with something lovely to take home was a real treat.”

A moment for mums too

Although the children’s robins were the stars of the session, the morning also offered something special for the mums.

Amid the paints and laughter, there was time to pause, chat, and reconnect. Sitting together in a circle, the mothers shared stories, encouraged each other’s children, and offered kind words - small gestures that added up to a genuine sense of community.

“There was so much support between them,” Jan said. “You could see mums helping each other, laughing together, and celebrating what the children were making. It was really lovely.”

For many, the slower pace of the indoor setting was a welcome change from the bustle of outdoor play. It provided space to breathe, reflect, and simply enjoy being creative side by side with their children.

“The facilitator was fantastic,” Jan added. “She was chilled, calm, and patient - the whole thing just flowed beautifully.”

Creativity as mindfulness

This week’s activity wasn’t just about art - it was also about mindfulness and confidence. Painting and crafting offer opportunities for both children and adults to express themselves freely, explore new sensations, and feel pride in their creations.

Research consistently shows that creative play supports emotional regulation and parent–child bonding, especially when it’s free from expectation or perfection. That spirit was evident in every moment of this session.

“You could feel the calm,” Julie reflected. “Even though the room was full of colour and movement, there was a sense of peace - everyone was absorbed in what they were doing.”

The robin-making also carried a seasonal touch of symbolism. As a bird often associated with hope and renewal, the robin represented exactly what Mums Matter aims to nurture - small, joyful moments that remind parents of their strength and resilience.

Engagement through curiosity

One of the most striking observations from both Jan and Julie was how engaged the children were throughout.

Despite their young age, they remained focused for the entire session - exploring, asking questions, and proudly showing their finished work.

“Children were curious and confident,” Julie noted. “They took ownership, made choices, and weren’t afraid to try different things. You could really see their independence growing.”

Even the quieter children, who might have held back in earlier weeks, joined in enthusiastically once they saw the paints and tools being used. It was a powerful reminder that creativity is a universal language for connection - no matter the child’s age or personality.

A sense of warmth in winter

By the end of the morning, the floor was sprinkled with colourful paper, happy chatter filled the air, and mums compared notes on their children’s latest masterpieces.

The group gathered to admire everyone’s robins, which would soon find new homes on windowsills and mantelpieces - little symbols of joy to brighten the winter days ahead.

“Everyone left smiling,” Jan said. “It felt like a really special session. You could tell that both the children and the mums were proud of what they’d made.”

This fifth week marked a shift in rhythm - from the physicality of outdoor exploration to the reflective calm of creativity. It also reinforced one of the core messages of Mums Matter: that mindfulness doesn’t have to mean stillness. It can be found in movement, colour, and shared laughter too.

Looking ahead

Next week, the programme returns outdoors for the 2–4s group, embracing wild play and freedom after the calm focus of the art session.

As Mums Matter moves into the second half of its 12-week journey, the sense of community continues to deepen. New friendships are forming, returning mums are bringing friends, and families connected through the earlier Dads Matter project are still joining in.

Each week brings something new - a reminder that, like the painted robins the children took home, every session adds a splash of colour and hope to the colder months.

“It was a great, great session,” Jan said with a smile. “The mums are really connecting now - with each other, with their children, and with the programme. I can’t wait to see what next week brings.”