Real inclusion is not just access, but the supports to truly participate.

A Community-Centered, ABA-Informed Class with Built-In Parent Support!

Upcoming Classes & Events

Inside a Messy Makers Oahu Class

2. ABA-Informed Tools You Can Actually Use

We incorporate simple, effective strategies that support ALL kids:

Token boards
First-then visuals
Visual supports for communication and transitions

These aren’t just used in class, you take them home with you.

1. Learn Through Play & Real Life Skills

Every class is different, but always meaningful.
We introduce important topics like safety, communication, and daily life skills through:

Social stories read together
Hands-on sensory activities
Music, movement, and guided play

Learning feels natural, engaging, and fun.

4. A Space Where Every Child Belongs

Participation looks different for every child, and that’s okay.
We celebrate small wins, big wins, and everything in between.

Come as you are:
Loud, quiet, bouncy, shy, wiggly, all of it is welcome here

3. Guided Support for Parents

You’re not just watching, you’re learning too.
Mrs.Shy leads each class while:

Demonstrating how to use each tool
Walking you through real-life application
Providing support, guidance, and encouragement

So you leave feeling confident, not overwhelmed.

Messy Makers Oahu offers Grown Up & Me classes where children and caregivers learn and create together through hands-on, sensory activities & messy play!

Class Groupings at Messy Makers

We offer classes for school-aged kiddos and teens, thoughtfully grouped to support each child’s developmental stage:

Kids: ages 5–7
Big Kids: ages 8–11
Teens: ages 12–16

Each group is designed with age-appropriate activities, support, and guidance in mind so every child can feel successful and engaged.

For specific class details, please refer to the event description on our booking page. Some classes may have adjusted age ranges or be OPEN TO ALL ages.

Purposeful play. Meaningful growth. Every child, exactly as they are.

Our classes are ABA-informed and use clear routines, structure, and visual supports to help children participate and succeed. Caregivers actively join in and learn simple strategies they can use at home to support communication, Engagement, and independence.

Meet the Founder

Aloha, my name is Shy. I’m a mom of four and have worked in the ABA and special education field since 2015. One of my children, Luke, is autistic and has shown me just how powerful the right supports can be. I was also diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum later in my adult years, which has further shaped the way I understand and approach support, communication, and connection in a deeply personal way. Through my experience as both a parent and an educator, I’ve seen how limited access to practical, ABA-informed strategies outside of clinical or school settings can make everyday activities feel inaccessible for many families.

Too often, caregivers are expected to navigate community spaces without guidance or tools that support different ways of learning, moving, and communicating. Messy Makers Oʻahu was created to change that. We envisioned something different, a space that bridges that gap. A place where children are free to explore, create, and be themselves, while caregivers feel supported, confident, and included every step of the way.

At Messy Makers Oʻahu, we believe play is powerful. Through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences and ABA-informed strategies, we create opportunities for connection, growth, and confidence. Sensory needs, elopement, self injury, and regulation are anticipated, not treated as surprises. Visual supports, prompting, and step by step guidance are thoughtfully built into every class.

Meltdowns do not mean exclusion. They mean we offer compassion, tools, and space. Caregivers are invited to take a breath, feel supported, and learn strategies they can take home and actually use. Participation looks different for every child, and that is not only accepted, it is celebrated.

This is more than a class. It is a community where differences are embraced, small wins are celebrated, and every child has the space to thrive.

Book Your Next Messy Makers Experience.

Join sensory-friendly classes, creative events, and meaningful play experiences designed for children and caregivers. Our ABA-informed approach uses visuals, play, repetition, and supportive strategies to help children build confidence through connection and hands-on learning. Book classes individually or become a member to save on classes, access exclusive resources, receive caregiver support, and be part of our supportive Messy Makers ʻOhana.

Membership Coming Soon!