Free sensory play sessions for non-walking babies and their grown-ups, held in the beautiful surroundings of the Whitworth Art Gallery — a warm, welcoming space to play, bond and connect with other parents and carers. 

Art Baby | Free Baby Art Class at The Whitworth

• Upcoming Dates:
  • Friday 5th June 2026, 10.30am–2.30pm
  • Wednesday 17th June 2026, 12.30pm–2.30pm (extra session as part of Manchester Baby Week)
  • Friday 3rd July 2026, 10.30am–2.30pm
• Location: The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER
• Suitable for: Non-walking babies and their grown-ups
• Booking: No booking required — free drop-in
• Cost: Free to attend
• Website: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/artbaby

Art Baby is a free, drop-in sensory play session run by the Whitworth Art Gallery, specially designed for non-walking babies and their parents or carers. Set within the gallery's beautiful surroundings, the sessions offer a calm and stimulating environment with plenty of space to crawl, explore and discover — filled with new textures, colours and things to look at.

The sessions are thoughtfully designed to support babies' physical and social development, while also creating a warm and welcoming space for grown-ups to meet, talk and spend time with others. The Whitworth team understand that caring for a young baby can feel isolating at times, and Art Baby is a place where parents and carers can find community as well as comfort.

An extra session will be held on Wednesday 17th June as part of Manchester Baby Week, running from 12.30pm to 2.30pm — a great opportunity for families to drop in if they haven't visited before.

Photo credit: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/artbaby/