Parenting toddlers and babies is a whirlwind, equal parts giggles, sticky fingers, and the occasional meltdown over the wrong color cup. In the middle of all that chaos, it can be easy to forget that these little humans are constantly learning, experimenting, and trying to make sense of the world. One of the most powerful tools they have to do that? Art.
The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA), recently voted the Best Art Museum in the U.S. in the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, knows that creativity starts young. That’s why they’ve designed hands-on workshops for the tiniest artists and their caregivers, led by early childhood educator Jamie Sansom. These sessions aren’t just about painting or play, they’re about communication, connection, and sparking imagination during the most important developmental years.
🖌️ Why Art Matters in Early Childhood
Long before toddlers can string together full sentences, they’re already expressing themselves through color, movement, and mark-making. Think about the first time your toddler scribbled wildly on a piece of paper; it may have looked like random lines, but to them, it was a story, a feeling, or even just pure joy.
Child development experts often call art a “language of childhood.” Like spoken language, art allows children to process their world and communicate ideas that they don’t yet have words for. According to the American Psychological Association (2020), engaging in the arts during early childhood boosts language acquisition, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. In other words, finger painting isn’t just fun, it’s foundational.
Art is also multisensory, which is key for growing brains. When children dip their hands into paint, they’re not just making a mess; they’re building neural connections related to touch, sight, movement, and coordination. For babies, sensory play builds pathways that support later learning. For toddlers, process-based art (art that emphasizes exploration rather than “perfect” results) encourages curiosity, confidence, and creativity.
🤝 Bonding Through Creativity
Here’s the best part: art isn’t just good for your child, it’s good for your relationship with them.
When parents and caregivers sit down to paint, glue, or sculpt alongside their kids, something magical happens. You’re entering their world, letting them lead, and sending the message: I value what you create. Research shows that shared creative activities build stronger parent-child bonds and foster open communication later in life.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to be Picasso to join in. In fact, it’s better if you’re not! When your toddler sees you experiment with colors, laugh at your crooked lines, or embrace a splash of paint on your sleeve, you’re modeling resilience and the joy of trying something new.
👶 Classes at TMA: Art for the Littlest Hands
Toledo families are lucky to have access to art experiences that are not only fun but also thoughtfully designed by experts in child development. TMA’s workshops are tailored to specific age groups, ensuring that activities are both safe and engaging.
🌈 Art Crawl (0–18 months)
This class introduces babies to art through movement, sensory play, and exploration. Caregivers and babies wander the galleries together, then dive into a sensory painting session. Along the way, babies build language, coordination, and motor skills while discovering the joy of creative play.
🎨 Toddler’s & Two’s Process Art (18–36 months)
Toddlers are explorers by nature, and this class gives them the space to create without pressure. Through gallery visits and process-based art projects, little ones strengthen fine motor skills, stretch their imaginations, and develop confidence, all while bonding with their grown-ups.
🗓️ Dates, Times, and Details
- Dates: Sept 28 | Oct 26 | Nov 23
- Times:
🕐 Toddler’s & Two’s: 1:00–2:00 pm
🕝 Art Crawl: 2:30–3:30 pm - Location: Family Center, Toledo Museum of Art
📍 2445 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43620 - Cost: $20 per class OR $50 for all three (TMA members save 10%)
- Phone: 419-254-5080
- Website & Registration: toledomuseum.org/learn/classes-workshops
🌟 Why Parents Shouldn’t Wait
These classes often sell out, and it’s easy to see why. They’re more than just playdates; they’re opportunities to:
- Encourage your child’s brain development
- Build cherished memories together
- Spark creativity that lasts a lifetime
- Give your toddler a positive introduction to museums
Plus, let’s be honest: it feels pretty amazing to watch your little one toddle through galleries, paintbrush in hand, looking like a mini creative genius.
💭 Final Thoughts
In the blur of parenting, it’s easy to get caught up in schedules, snacks, and the next nap time. But experiences like these are the ones that stick, moments where your child discovers new colors, textures, and ideas with you by their side.
The Toledo Museum of Art isn’t just about viewing the masterpieces of the past; it’s about creating the artists of the future. So grab your diaper bag, pack an extra change of clothes (for both of you, paint happens! ), and sign up for a class.
Because sometimes, the best memories are made one messy masterpiece at a time.
👉 Register today: TMA Classes & Workshops
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 