Flabbergasted Animal Portraits | Kids Art Workshop for Libraries & Vacation Care
Engaging Kids’ Art Workshops for Libraries & Vacation Care Programs
Age Group: 5–12 years
Duration: 1 hour (+ 30 min setup/clean-up)
Group Size: Up to 15 students per session (contact us for larger groups – options available)
Materials: All supplied
Room Requirements: Chairs and tables, access to toilets, bins supplied
Suitable For: Library sessions, Vacation Care programs
Availability: Book now for Spring 2026 & Summer 2026–7 school holidays
Pricing: Per group, not per child
Workshop Overview
Draw a hilarious animal portrait with a shocked, surprised, or totally flabbergasted expression—just like an illustrator bringing a story character to life!
In this hands-on kids art workshop, participants explore expressive animal portraits, experimenting with facial expressions, character design, and storytelling through illustration. Kids develop creativity, confidence, and playful artistic skills while learning how illustrators bring characters to life in books.
Flabbergasted Animal Portraits is part of our Library & Vacation Care Art Workshops program, designed for libraries and vacation care venues across Western Sydney, The Hills District, Penrith, and the Blue Mountains.
Creative & Learning Outcomes
Creative
• Create expressive animal portraits using drawing and colouring techniques
Literature / Storytelling
• Explore how illustrators convey personality and emotion through character design
STEAM / Creative Problem Solving
• Experiment with drawing techniques to develop visual storytelling and character personality
Social Connections
• Share artwork with the group and discuss each animal’s expression
Wellbeing
• Build confidence, emotional expression, and playful creativity
Materials & Setup
All materials are provided, including:
• Drawing paper or card
• Pencils, paint markers, alcohol markers, textas, colouring pencils
Room setup required: Chairs and tables, access to toilets, bins supplied.
Activity Outline
Step 1 – Warm-Up Sketches
Children start with quick portrait sketches to loosen up and explore expressions.
Step 2 – Guided Demonstration
Elaine demonstrates simple portrait guidelines that students can adapt for their own animal characters.
Step 3 – Create & Colour
Participants draw and colour their final expressive animal portrait, using their imagination to exaggerate emotions.
Step 4 – Share & Discuss
Students share their portraits with the group, describing what makes their animal look so flabbergasted.
Step 5 – Optional Extension
If time allows, children can draw the surprising scenario that caused their animal’s shocked expression.
Why Libraries & Vacation Care Programs Love This Workshop
• Encourages creativity, emotional expression, and illustration skills
• Ideal for library programs and vacation care activities
• All materials provided – a hassle-free session for organisers
• Fun, interactive, and confidence-building for kids
• Supports social connection, focus, and playful learning
Location & Availability
Workshops are available for libraries and vacation care programs across Western Sydney, The Hills District, Penrith, the Blue Mountains, and surrounding NSW regions.
If you’re located outside these areas, please get in touch — Elaine is always happy to discuss options where possible.
Elaine travels to your library or vacation care venue and delivers all workshops on-site. Multiple sessions can be scheduled on the same day, subject to availability.
Meet the Art facilitator – Elaine Butler
Elaine Butler is a kids book author, illustrator and arts educator.
With over 30 years of experience in arts education, Elaine brings a unique blend of creativity, storytelling and visual arts to every workshop.
Her programs offer an engaging, hands-on approach that nurtures imagination, creative confidence and wellbeing. Through her artwork, books and creative wellness philosophy, Elaine inspires children to explore, create and discover their own artistic voice.
Why Work With Elaine?
Elaine brings warmth, creativity, and extensive arts education experience to every session. Her workshops offer meaningful, calm, and imaginative learning experiences that children enjoy and remember.
What venues love:
✔️ Over 30 years experience as a visual arts educator
✔️ Engaging, calm and inclusive teaching style
✔️ Strong group management and smooth session flow
✔️ Hands-on activities that boost creativity and confidence
✔️ Creative wellbeing woven into each workshop
✔️ No-prep, low-stress experience for libraries and vacation care venues
✔️ Professional-quality artwork outcomes students are proud of
✔️ Sessions that support wellbeing, focus, and self-expression
Hands-on learning. Real creativity. Real art. Real collaboration.
Enquire or Book
If you’d like to discuss availability, session options, or how this workshop can fit into your venue’s program, please get in touch.
We are currently taking bookings for Spring 2026 and the Summer 2026–7 school holidays.
👉 Enquire or book using the online form
☎️ Or contact us to discuss dates and options.