Carnival and Sports heroes

A screen-free sculpture journey in colour, costume, movement and joyful creative expression

What happens when children are invited to build not just an artwork, but a whole character full of colour, energy and personality?

Carnival and Sports Heroes is a richly layered, hands-on sculpture project that invites children into a world of colour, imagination and joyful making. Across four carefully guided sessions, children design and create a striking sculptural figure; a human form dressed in an exuberant, bird-inspired carnival costume, using a combination of structure, decoration and imaginative design.

Working entirely away from screens, children slow down, use their hands and experience the satisfaction of building something meaningful from start to finish. The project blends fine art techniques, storytelling, costume design and environmental awareness, offering a deeply rewarding creative experience that strengthens confidence as well as skill.

This is a project full of movement, celebration and visual excitement, while still being calm, thoughtful and carefully supported at every stage.

Abstract digital illustration of three faceless humanoid figures in blue and pink, representing people, against a dark background with vertical lines and light streaks.

9 to 12 years old

A stylized illustration of a calendar or planner with a purple and blue neon glow, featuring checkmarks on some of the date boxes, set against a dark background.
A neon-colored clock and hourglass icon against a dark background.

90 min. 4 sessions

Wednesday, Thursday a Friday

Nature

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Carnival

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Costume

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Joy

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Sculpture

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Nature - Carnival - Costume - Joy - Sculpture -

From structure to celebration

One of the most rewarding things about this project is the way it unfolds in stages.

Children begin by creating the underlying structure of their sculpture, learning how a figure is supported, balanced and built. From there, they gradually add form, surface, costume and decorative detail, watching the sculpture come alive step by step.

This process teaches far more than decoration. It introduces children to the idea that strong creative outcomes are built through stages: planning, constructing, refining and finishing. That makes the final result feel much more satisfying, because they can see how their patience and decisions shaped the work over time.

For many children, this gradual transformation is one of the most exciting parts of the project.

Enquire about this project
Infographic with four sections. The first has an icon of a sun and a phone with a prohibition sign, and the text "Screen-Free Creativity," about hands-on learning with film cameras and self-expression. The second has a shield icon with a check mark, and the text "Trusted & Safe," about enhanced DBS and safeguarding-led delivery. The third has an icon of a child's silhouette with a checklist, and the text "Tailored to Your Child," about projects fitting children's interests and pace. The fourth has an icon of a painted fairy sculpture with measurements, and the text "Tangible Outcome," about children creating a handmade sculpture mounted on a wooden base for display.

A Celebration of colour, movement, music and dance

Carnival and Sports Heroes invites children to explore the joy, energy and expressive power of carnival through sculpture.

Drawing inspiration from birds, movement, costume and celebration, children create their own human figure wearing an imaginative and exuberant costume full of texture, shape and visual rhythm. The process encourages them to think not only about how a sculpture stands, but how it feels; lively, proud, bold, playful, dramatic or full of movement.

This makes the project especially exciting. Children are not just constructing an object; they are creating a character with presence and personality, inspired by the spirit of performance, dance and visual celebration.

At the same time, the project remains grounded in real making skills, helping children experience the pleasure of turning imaginative ideas into a finished physical form.

9 to 12 years

90 minutes per session

4

Up to 3 children

In-person, fully screen-free

Age Group:

Duration:

Sessions:

Group Size:

Format:

A colorful art sculpture of a person with an elaborate headdress, leopard-print garment, and animal-inspired accessories, posed with a dynamic stance.

WHAT CHILDREN WILL EXPLORE & LEARN

Sessions are carefully structured yet flexible, with built-in scaffolding for less confident children and creative extension for those who wish to push further. Every child is guided towards completing a finished piece they feel proud of, without pressure, comparison or rushing.

The emphasis is on process, presence and personal achievement, helping children feel secure while still encouraging imagination and ambition.

    • Constructing a sculptural form using armature wire and papier-mâché.

    • Understanding the human figure, proportion and balance.

    • Developing fine motor skills, focus and patience.

    • Studying tropical birds through photography and observation.

    • Sketching and designing exaggerated costume elements inspired by carnival traditions.

    • Learning how artists stylise and simplify forms for visual impact.

    • Exploring the colour wheel and complementary colour schemes.

    • Selecting and refining a cohesive colour palette to express character and mood.

    • Learning about tropical habitats, rainforests and endangered species.

    • Gently introducing ideas around climate change and how human actions affect the natural world.

    • Experimenting, problem-solving and learning through trial and error.

    • Developing confidence in decision-making and independent thinking.

PROJECT ESSENTIALS

Materials Provided

All materials are supplied, including:

- Aluminium armature wire.

- Papier-mâché (newsprint and child-friendly cellulose paste).

- Pre-prepared painted elements.

- Acrylic paints.

- Wooden bases (pre-nailed for safety).

- Decorative materials such as feathers, sequins, glitter and coloured papers.

Safety & Accessibility

Child-safe materials are used throughout.

Allergies are discussed with parents in advance; gloves and tools can be provided if needed.

Sessions are thoughtfully adapted for children with SEN or sensory sensitivities.

Clear, step-by-step instruction ensures every child feels supported and successful.

Pricing

1 child: £80 per session.

2 children: £120 per session.

3 children: £180 per session.

Custom pricing available for schools or whole-class projects.

A sculpture of a boxer with a muscular build, standing on a wooden base with a metal ring at his feet. The figure is wearing green shorts with blue trim and boxing gloves, with a black and yellow boxing shoes. The sculpture is made from crumpled paper and tape, with a black background.
A colorful, abstract sculpture of a woman with outstretched arms, wearing a green bikini and a feathered headdress, mounted on a wooden base.
Paper mache sculpture of a person in blue top and black shorts holding a colorful beach ball, standing on a wooden base with a wire structure, against a black background.
A colorful sculpture of a human figure dressed in a leopard print outfit, wearing a large feathered headdress, with accessories resembling jewelry, and posed in a dynamic running stance.
A handcrafted paper sculpture of a soccer player wearing a blue and white striped Argentina jersey with a number and the Argentinian flag, white shorts, orange shoes, and a white soccer ball on a wooden base.

WHY PARENTS LOVE IT

A premium, screen-free creative experience.

Deeply educational without feeling academic.

Small groups and individual attention.

Encourages focus, confidence, and emotional well-being.

A meaningful alternative to device-based activities.

A beautiful artwork and an even more valuable experience.

A colorful paper-mâché sculpture of a person dressed as a traditional African tribal dancer, wearing a leopard-patterned outfit and a large feathered headdress with green, yellow, and silver accents.

Get started today

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About the Project Leader

Lucy

Qualified Primary School Teacher (PGCE) with over 30 years of classroom experience.

Extensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in art education with leading institutions including:

  • Bow Arts Trust

  • Tate Modern

  • The Line

  • The Visual Arts Foundation

  • London Gifted & Talented

Designed and delivered whole-school CPD on sculpture, supporting and training class teachers.

Since 2003, has created and led bespoke art workshops for children aged 6–11, thoughtfully tailored to curriculum and enrichment themes including: History and cultural studies, Science and nature, Multi-faith and global stories, PSHE, Maths through creative exploration.

Strong background in fashion, sewing and upholstery, bringing practical, tactile skills into her sessions.

Led large-scale intergenerational costume-making workshops involving children, parents and grandparents, with themes such as: Insects, The Lion King, African animals, Arabian Nights, Ancient Egypt.