Imagine Play Inspire

Imagine Play Inspire Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Imagine Play Inspire, Oakura.

Creative Play & Process Art Specialist helping children and adults strengthen their confidence, creativity & wellbeing

kids art classes & adult creativity workshops
🙋🏽‍♀ 20+ years of experience

18/06/2026

If you've been waiting for another Creative Reset, I'm sorry but I'll have to disappoint you...

Instead, please enjoy this little blooper video. It's me messing up and getting it wrong!

Have fun and let me know if this should become a new series! 🤣

Someone recently asked me..."Franzi, what's it been like teaching adults, versus kids?"And I've been thinking about this...
17/06/2026

Someone recently asked me...

"Franzi, what's it been like teaching adults, versus kids?"

And I've been thinking about this question for days after the actual conversation...

I think my response in the moment was "fun!" And while that's true, it does not really convey ALL of it.

I've been wanting to run adult workshops for years (yes, years..!). Perfectionism, self-doubt, and general day-to-day busy-ness (the latter always makes a great invitation for distraction from what matters, hey?) have meant that I pushed this idea aside again and again.

Until both and my mentor Pam reminded me to take a sip of my own medicine and play with this new format vs. worry about getting it perfect.

I know this stuff, and yet I needed (several) reminders...

And it was. so. hard!

Because I really wanted to create the perfect workshop, the perfect experience. I was fearful of getting it wrong, messing things up, and it kept me stuck for a long time.

But finally, I gave myself the permission to play a little... and now not only one but two adult creative play workshops lie behind us (with more in the planning!), and here's what I noticed...

The adults in the workshops weren't that different from the tamariki in our classes.

I mean yes, of course their life experiences are different and the responsibilities are much bigger. There's also lot more self-consciousness we carry into a creative space as adults.

But aside from that, there's the same curiosity and the same joy when something unexpected happens. The same satisfaction of getting lost in a creative process. The same need to feel seen, welcomed, and safe enough to try something new.

So really, we don't stop needing play, creativity, and imagination as we grow up... We just stop giving ourselves permission (like I did when planning this new workshop format...).

And that's why working with adults feels so special. It reminds me that the things I value most in my work, e.g. play, creativity, connection, curiosity and joy, aren't just children's needs, they are human needs. ❤️

We often focus on what children know…But the real foundation for their future success is how they learn.Process art give...
17/06/2026

We often focus on what children know…

But the real foundation for their future success is how they learn.

Process art gives children daily practice in trying, adjusting, noticing, rethinking, and trying again.

And over time, they develop confidence in their ideas, resilience when things change or don't go to plan, and the ability to stay engaged without needing to “get it right” or looking for outside validation.

Learning how to learn has never been more important...

Save + share if this resonates ✨❤️

16/06/2026

Save this simple drawing game that turns art into teamwork!

Using a cardboard spinner, four strings, and a marker in the middle, children work together to create a drawing by gently pulling the strings...

It takes communication, collaboration, problem-solving... and often leads to lots of giggles too.

A big shout-out to Super Sam Samantha Jay who introduced this activity to our 8-12 year olds.

I tried it with our 5-8 year olds in our Little Art Lab and the tamariki have absolutely LOVED the challenge of creating something together while giving up a little control along the way. So much so that they keep asking to play it again 😁

Sending you into the week with some recent snaps from our 1:1's, 1:2's and group after-school Art Labs...We played drawi...
15/06/2026

Sending you into the week with some recent snaps from our 1:1's, 1:2's and group after-school Art Labs...

We played drawing games for imperfection, connection and yes, giggles.

We revealed surprising colours through our own DIY scratch pictures (with a special paint-potion recipe that makes for smooth scratching).

We tinkered, engineered and invented fabulous creations from our imagination, loads of problem-solving included!

We painted with clay (thanks for the inspo), made mandalas and layered acrylic paints for some abstract art & stencil play.

And we still have a few more weeks to go... what will we make next? 🤔

11/06/2026

Save this one... and read below why it works and when you can best apply it.

A little creative practice that helps bringing us back into the present moment. Great for calming big feelings and slowing down busy minds... and for noticing things we usually overlook.

You may like to swap the sense of smell and sense of taste depending on your preference, and what you find easier to notice.

If you're a teacher, this is a great one to do with a group of children, too. Invite them to notice and reassure them that they can't get it wrong - we all notice different things.

As a family, you can do this at the dinner table, after school, or on your next outing. Fun game to play on a road trip too (you can leave out the drawing and just share with each other what everyone is noticing).

Here's why it works...

When we intentionally tune into our senses, we gently shift our attention away from worries, overwhelm, or what's next, and back to what's happening right now.

Adding drawing makes it even more engaging. It encourages us to slow down, look a little closer, and process what we're noticing through creativity and play.

Try it when:

✨ You need a moment of calm
✨ Your child is feeling dysregulated
✨ You're stuck in your head
✨ You'd like to feel a little more present and connected

10/06/2026

I've been having a lot of conversations around the definition of play recently...

What's your first thought when you hear the word play?

Chances are, you'll be thinking something along the lines of "child's play" / "inner child" / "back when I was younger..."

Isn't it interesting thought that there are a multitude of ways play shows up for us as adults?

Maybe it's experimenting without knowing the outcome.

Trying something new just because you're curious.

Getting lost in a creative project.

Laughing until your cheeks hurt.

Moving your body in a way that feels good.

Having a conversation that maybe is a little bit cheeky, weird, different, quirky... One that doesn't follow the standard social norms.

Play isn't something we grow out of. It's a way of exploring, connecting, processing, learning, and being human.

We do live in a world that often asks us to be productive, efficient, and serious. And in this kind of world, play can be a powerful tool for wellbeing, helping us process and make sense of it all, as well as connect us from one human to another.

So maybe the question isn't "what is play and am I too old for it?"

But...

"Where is play already in my life, and how can I make just a little more room for it?"

I'd love to know what play looks like for you these days?

Creative Calm is a very small, boutique holiday experience I'm running here in Ōakura in July, and I so cannot wait!Just...
09/06/2026

Creative Calm is a very small, boutique holiday experience I'm running here in Ōakura in July, and I so cannot wait!

Just two children, over three mornings, with space to slow down, follow their curiosity, and make things that feel entirely their own.

We will forage for materials at the beach and park. We'll work with clay, paint, and whatever the young creatives are drawn to each morning. We'll make, explore, and possibly (probably) get a bit muddy.

There'll be no rush and no end result that has to look a certain way.

Just presence, curiosity and connection. And playful rituals to start and end each session with. Designed and facilitated by an experienced and NZ registered teacher and creative play advocate. 🙋🏽‍♀️

I first played with this new format in April and it was so, so special, I've decided to bring it back. ❤️

July 6–8 and 13–15 (1 x spot left!), 9am–12pm, Ōakura.
$315 per child for all three mornings.

A lovely option for friends to come together and make some new core memories, or for children who thrive in small group environments.

Either way, a gentle, creative space over the holidays is waiting. 🌞

08/06/2026

Little throwback to the weekend ❤️
.. where a small group of women gathered to play, create and trust the process.

An afternoon that invited curiosity, slowing down and mindful making. Reclaim Your Inner Creative, winter edition... roaring fire and all. ✨

Seeing plain, white canvases transform into unique creative treasures is a process I'll never get tired off witnessing...

Instead of step by step instructions or "this is what your canvas will look like", these women received gentle guidance inviting play and exploration, and walked away asking for a full-day version (should I? 👀).

There was calm, laughter, hot cuppas and a little joyful mess.

Thank you for being there and thank you to those of you sharing your experience with your nearest and dearest.

There's more to come, so keep your eyes and ears open (and join the mailing list if you haven't already!) 🔗

Franzi 🌞

04/06/2026

This seems to be becoming a series, someone stop me 😆

Today's a fun creative exercise that teaches our brain to see possibilities. A great one when you're feeling stuck at work, to use as a unique meeting opener or for an after dinner game with the kids...

Try it and DM me all your connected dot images hehe ❤️

Address

Oakura
4314

Telephone

+64278370498

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Imagine Play Inspire posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share