Have you ever wondered what that cute little playhouse is for… or what’s behind the fence? It’s "HCA Outside"!
What is HCA Outside?
HCA Outside is a magical outdoor creative play experience for ages 2–6 featuring mud kitchen play, sensory exploration, imaginative adventures, and open-ended fun that encourages creativity, independence, and social development.
This thoughtfully designed 750 square-foot fenced-in play space invites children to explore at their own pace through child-led, hands-on experiences full of curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Children can:
☀️ Pretend play in “The Shack” beach house
☀️ Water and explore the garden area
☀️ Build and create in “The Pit” construction zone
☀️ Explore fairy land and small world play
☀️ Mix, scoop, cook, and create in “The Creativity Kitchen” — our signature communal mud kitchen for potion-making, nature cooking, flower concoctions, and more
Registration is required and intentionally limited so we can maintain the integrity, calmness, and specialness of the space and experience.
What do we use this outdoor area for?
HCA Outside is home to our summer outdoor creative play programming for young children!
☀️ Outdoor Creative Play Sessions for ages 2–6 take place during July & August.
(Indoor Little Artists classes pause for the summer, and we head outside for sensory play, creativity, and imaginative adventures instead!)
☀️ HCA Outside is also incorporated into our summer camp programs, including:
• Make & Play Camp for ages 4–6
• HCA Arts Camp for children entering grades 1 & 2
Mud kitchen play, imaginative exploration, sensory experiences, and collaborative outdoor fun are woven into these camp days as part of the HCA experience.
We know older children love this space too! However, once children are older than 6, they are generally too big for the scale of the environment and materials. Keeping the space safe, calm, and developmentally appropriate for our youngest artists is an important part of maintaining the magic of HCA Outside.
This program is thoughtfully designed for children ages 2–5. PRE-REGISTRATION IS ALWAYS REQUIRED and intentionally limited so we can maintain the integrity and specialness of the space and experience
Scroll way down for FAQs & more info!
The benefits of open-ended creative play & exploration in an outdoor environment like this:
- social engagement and social-emotional development
- sharing and caring
- critical thinking skills through curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving
- endless sensory experiences with combinations of materials and methods
- measuring, filling, emptying, and exploring capacity engages children with mathematics
- infinite imaginative and role-play possibilities centered around a simple play space structure and materials set-up that invites children to create in a variety of ways
- language development is practiced by way of descriptive words, questioning, exploration, and storytelling through collaborative, imaginative experiences
- scientific investigation via combined, mixed, transferred, and changed materials
- fine motor skills development through the creative use of tools
- good physical health comes from fresh air, movement, and dirt in our systems which can help develop a healthy immune system
2026 Registration options:
There are 2 ways to register for Monday morning Creative Play Sessions!
- V.I.C.P. 6 Week Spot … “Very Important Creative Playmate” Reserve your child’s spot for all 6 joyful weeks! Give your child the gift of routine, familiarity, & special creative time together each week.
- Drop-In Spots: A very limited number of single-session registration spots are available for each Monday morning.
Spots are intentionally limited to help maintain the magic, integrity, and specialness of the program and space.
*Keep an eye out…something special for Fridays may be headed to HCA Outside this summer too…
Absence / Cancellation Policy:
A raindate of August 17th is on the calendar in case of a weather cancellation. Sessions are typically held unless there is a lot of rain. Light rain is a go, bring your boots!
Cancellation of 6 week VICP: Cancels made by June 5th will receive full studio credit.
Cancellation of 2 pass pack: Pass packs are not refundable but can be transferred to another participant.
Play pass: Cancel within 48 hours of the session to have your pass credited back to your account.
Drop-in registration: Cancel within 48 hours of the session for studio credit less $5 admin fee.
Important notes:
No snacks or food are allowed inside the fenced-in play area. Children will be very busy, so there should be no need. Water and coffee the only beverages allowed inside. This keeps our special space clean and free of insects and critters. There are picnic tables available outside the fence for snacking if needed.
This open-ended setting for kids is welcoming for all types of children. However, the area is not conducive to running, jumping, climbing, and rough play. We love that this environment provides a great playdate for friends or family, but please refrain from signing up a group of children for a playdate who tend to need a sports or park setting, especially if they are over 5 years old. The program is meant to be child-led but it is not meant to be a childcare service and it is not an actual playground.
This is a collaborative space, children who put other children in danger or discomfort physically will not be admitted back for the rest of the season. Children who intentionally destroy materials or structures will not be admitted back for the rest of the season.
Adult participation/supervision & children under 4:
An adult must be on premises for children during the play session. For ages 4-5 who are comfortable playing on their own and are ready for some independence, adults may sit at the picnic tables outside the fence.
Under 4 years old: Children 4 and under must be supervised at all times by their accompanying adult due to the potential of some materials to be a choking hazard. HCA does not assume that responsibility. This session is supervised by a staff but not facilitated like a regular class.
Displaying Artistic Talents
