Summer Holiday Program
January 2026
Two days of creative imagination & movement for children
Programs for 3-5 and 6-12 year olds
Bookings essential - spaces fill quickly!
Limited to 10 children per session
Program for 6-12 year olds
Our summer program for 6-12 year olds offers a nurturing blend of creativity, movement and fun for children, designed to inspire and engage young bodies and minds during the 2026 summer school holidays.
Dates
Tuesday 13 &
Monday 19 January
9am - 4pm
Full and half day options available
Pricing
Full day: $120-$160
Half day: $60-$80
What to expect
Inkbrush painting
Morning workshop
9am - 12pm
A morning filled with creative flow in a nourishing environment. Be guided through beautiful rituals and process that helps cultivate a sense of grounding, calm and free creative expression.
Creative dance, yoga & craft
Afternoon workshop
1pm - 4pm
An afternoon with playful and creative movements that encourage children to connect with their bodies and imagination and with each other through dance, yoga and craft.
A safe & enriching experience
All activities are led by experienced facilitators in a safe, supervised environment. We provide a nurturing space where children can explore their creativity, build confidence, and leave feeling enriched and inspired.
Program description
Choose to join us for one or both dates, a full day (attending both workshops), or for half a day (attending one of the workshops).
Ink brush painting
9am -12pm
In these workshops we will learn to work with the four treasures of traditional Chinese and Japanese ink painting - ink stick, ink stone, brush and paper - and the beautiful tonal qualities of black ink and water. Beginning with the ritual of mixing the ink, we will explore a different natural or imaginative theme each workshop. We will learn a range of approaches to brushwork in a process that helps cultivate a sense of grounding, calm and free creative expression. All materials will be provided on the day, and children will leave with finished paintings to take home with them. During our session we will have a short morning tea break, so please bring along your own healthy snack and water bottle. Garden herb tea and some fruit will also be provided.
Lunch break
12pm - 1pm
Lunch and supervised free time (inside or outside) for those staying for both workshops. Children to bring their own packed lunch.
Creative dance, yoga & craft
1pm - 4pm
Afternoon sessions begin with explorative movement, rhythms and yoga, enlivening our senses and using our imaginations as we dance. This will be followed with a short afternoon tea break before we pursue a different artistic outlet through a craft activity. Each child has the chance to create something as a treasured keepsake.
Please bring along your own afternoon tea snack and water bottle. Garden herb tea and some fruit will also be provided.
With questions regarding the inkbrush painting workshop, please contact Meah on 04185673344. With questions regarding the creative dance, yoga & craft workshop, please contact Julie on 0491057924.
Program for 3-5 year olds
Our summer program for 3-5 year olds offers a nurturing blend of creativity, movement and fun for children, designed to inspire and engage young bodies and minds during the school holidays.
Dates
Thursday 15 &
Wednesday 21 January
10am - 12pm
Pricing
$40-$60
What to expect
Creative Dance, Yoga & Craft
A morning with playful and creative movements that encourage children to connect with their bodies and imagination and with each other through dance, yoga and craft.
A safe & enriching experience
All activities are led by experienced facilitators in a safe, supervised environment. We provide a nurturing space where children can explore their creativity, build confidence, and leave feeling enriched and inspired.
Program description
Choose to join us for one or both dates, 15 & 21 January.
We start each morning with explorative movement, rhythms and yoga, enlivening our senses and using our imaginations as we dance. This is followed by morning tea break before we pursue a different artistic outlet through a craft activity. Each child has the chance to create something as a treasured keepsake.
Please bring along your own morning tea snack and water bottle. Garden herb tea and some fruit will also be provided.
What parents say
Every moment
our children have spent in creative dance with Julie are cherished moments. We see the imaginatively inspiring, activating yet calming effect on them ripple out to their home lives.
— Maria C, parent
After attending the holiday program at the Red Door Studio my daughter’s been regularly doing creative dance classes with Julie, and she's been so much more confident in body when she puts on 'shows' at home.
— Dharman G, parent
I highly recommend this program as my daughter had a wonderful time attending with her friends
— Belinda N, parent
Our teachers
Julie Aares and Meah Velik-Lord are both highly experienced facilitators. With a passion for fostering creativity, they bring a supportive and inspiring learning environment to the community in Heidelberg West. Their dedication ensures every child is guided to develop their skills and confidence with joy.
Julie Aares
Julie is Founder and Creative Director of the Red Door Studio. Since 2013 she has taught Creative Dance and Yoga to adults and children of various ages, both in Norway and in Australia. Julie loves Creative Dance as a fun, playful, nourishing and enriching experience, extending one’s movement range and widening scope for imagination and artistic expression.
Meah Velik-Lord
Meah is the Artistic Director of Travel Art Dance Company, and has been teaching, choreographing and performing with the group since 2003. She currently runs the company's program of public classes and workshops, teaching classes for adults and children in dance and creative movement, brush and ink, and labyrinth walking practices.
The Red Door Studio
The Red Door Studio is a small and beautiful family-run space for nurturing health, creativity and community. Set in a quiet residential street in Heidelberg West, Naarm/Melbourne, amongst a thriving garden and in a family home setting, the space hosts a range of classes including yoga, creative dance, a Steiner playgroup, and other activities and events from time to time.
Ready to enrol?
Spaces are limited to just 10 children per workshop. Secure your child's spot for a nourishing and unforgettable summer experience!