Expressive arts studio · Phoenix · Ages 4–18

Where kids find their voice

And parents learn to hear it.

We created The Artplay Way™: kids make things, and somewhere in the making, they find their words.

No diagnosis. No labels. Nothing on your child's record. Just extraordinary helpers and a room full of paint.

“ i love artplay! ”
— Martin, age 4
The galaxy room at Artplay — a glowing space mural, a garlanded teepee, and a big worktable ready for art no wrong answers here ♡

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Not sure who’s right? Find your match →

Sessions for children, for siblings together, and for parents.

Takes about a minute · nothing charged today

Since 2009Helping Arizona kids
Ages 4–18One studio, every stage
Every sessionDirect feedback for you
No labelsNo diagnosis required
not sure who’s right?

We’ll match your child in 30 seconds.

Tell us their age, what’s going on, and when your week has room. We only suggest a helper who fits and has that time open.

Find my child’s match

The people your kid will create with

Seven extraordinary helpers. Every one of them chose this work because they love watching kids surprise themselves.

Meet all our helpers →

Is this your kid?

Families come to us when their child…

  • Feels things deeply and intensely
  • Gets stuck when frustrated or overwhelmed
  • Has plenty to say at home and nothing at school
  • Is creative, thoughtful, or hard on themselves
  • Is navigating a move, a friendship, or a hard season
  • Could use one steady adult outside home and school

Sound familiar? That's who we're built for.

Why families choose us

What Artplay is — and isn't

Artplay is

  • A studio where kids build confidence and their own voice
  • Guided by highly qualified helpers
  • A place where art has no wrong answers
  • Practical — they learn to speak up for what they need
  • Sessions for one child, for siblings together, or for you

Artplay isn't

  • A medical or behavioral health clinic
  • A place that diagnoses or labels
  • An insurance process — nothing goes on their record
  • A weekly obligation — sessions are every other week
Our promise: if we ever believe your child needs clinical care beyond what an arts studio offers, we'll tell you and help you find it.
How a session works

The Artplay Way

1.

Start with what they love

Dragons, dogs, comics, clay, big messy projects. We begin where your child already is.

2.

Talk while the hands are busy

Kids find their words when they're making something. No couch, no interrogation.

3.

You hear what we heard

Their helper walks you through it before you leave — and what to try at home.

What kids practice here: finding words for feelings speaking up at school trying hard things bouncing back trusting themselves
The space

Built to feel like anywhere but a clinic

Murals instead of diplomas. Swings instead of waiting-room chairs. Rooms kids ask to come back to.

The waterfall room — a floor-to-ceiling waterfall mural, a white canopy, and a wagon full of stuffed animals
The Waterfall Room
A hanging cocoon swing under fairy lights, next to a play kitchen and a living green wall
The Cocoon Swing
The relax corner — a hanging blue silk and bean bag beside the feelings chart and a dollhouse
The Relax Corner
A calm room with a floor futon, a mandala cushion, and shelves of things to explore
The Calm Room
A whiteboard where someone has written: you are kind, you are brave, you are loved, you are cared for
Left on the whiteboard
A framed print by the door that reads: I'm so glad you're here
By the door
From parents
★★★★★ 4.9 out of 5 on Google · 58 reviews

What families say

As a parent of a highly sensitive six-year-old with big emotions, Artplay has exceeded every expectation.

AimeeGoogle review

A tremendous amount of growth in our now almost seven-year-old.

Jennifer K.Artplay family since 2022

Ms. Becky is an amazing listener and guide for my daughter.

Wendy M.Google review

Artplay was recommended to our family by another children's health specialist.

Stacy R.Google review
Questions parents ask

The honest answers

Is this therapy?
No. Artplay is an expressive arts studio, not a behavioral health provider. We don't diagnose, label, or treat conditions — and if we ever think your child needs clinical care, we'll say so and help you find it.
Do you work with parents too?
Yes, two ways. Every child's session ends with a conversation about what we saw and what to try at home. And you can book a Parent Session — 50 minutes in person with one of our helpers, $100 — to work through what's happening at home. Kids finding their voice only works if someone knows how to hear it.
Why don't you take insurance?
Insurance requires a diagnosis. Most kids don't need a label — they need skills and confidence. Private pay means nothing goes on your child's record. We accept HSA and FSA cards where your plan allows, and we can talk about ESA and school-district funding.
Why every other week?
On purpose. Kids need the weeks in between to actually use what they've learned. You're paying for independence, not dependence.
What if my child says they're "not good at art"?
Perfect — they're exactly who this is for. There's no wrong way to make art here. The process matters, never the product.
As featured in
North Central News Voyage Phoenix Raising Arizona Kids @artplayhealing
you've been researching a while now —

Pick a time and we'll take it from here.

Tell us about your kid — what they're great at, and where they could use a boost. If Artplay isn't the right fit, we'll say so and point you somewhere better.