There is a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from making something with your hands – especially something you can actually use afterward. Splashy in Horotiu, Waikato, has been delivering that satisfaction to people from Hamilton and across the North Island since 1994, which makes it one of the longest-running paint-your-own ceramics studios in New Zealand.
Located in the Horotiu Village Hall, just north of Hamilton on State Highway 1 – approximately 15 minutes from Hamilton Central – Splashy is the go-to paint-your-own ceramics destination for the Waikato region. The studio is run by a team of 10 people who design, make, and paint ceramics on-site, and who welcome visitors of all ages and artistic abilities to come in and have a go themselves.
The building has a history that matches the character of the business. The Horotiu Village Hall has, at various times, served as the local town hall, a picture theatre, and a freezing works – a hundred-year-old building that now houses one of the most colourful and creatively energetic small businesses in the region. It is genuinely unlike anything else you will find in the Waikato, which is part of why people keep coming back.
What Is Paint-Your-Own Ceramics?
The format at Splashy is simple and accessible regardless of your artistic experience:
You arrive at the studio and choose an item to paint from the range of unglazed ceramics. The selection includes cups, mugs, bowls, plates, ornaments, garden art, and decorative pieces – something to suit almost any preference and budget. Prices start from around $25 and go up depending on the size and complexity of the piece.
You take your chosen item to an allocated table, receive a brief set of instructions on how to apply the paints and any design guidance you want, and then begin. All paints, brushes, sponges, and other tools are provided. The studio supplies everything – you just need to show up.
Once you finish painting, your piece is numbered and left at the studio. The staff collect all the completed pieces and begin the firing and glazing processes. This takes approximately 10 days to complete, though during busy periods like school holidays it may take slightly longer. After that, your finished, fully fired ceramic is ready for collection or can be posted to you if you do not live locally.
Every fired piece from Splashy is microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and oven-proof. They can also live outside as garden art – the fired and glazed finish is weather-resistant enough to use outdoors.
The Acrylic Option: Take It Home the Same Day
For those who cannot wait 10 days or do not want to return to collect a finished piece, Splashy also offers an acrylic painting option. Acrylic paints do not require firing – which means the piece can be finished and taken home on the same day. The trade-off is that acrylic-painted pieces are not dishwasher-safe, but they work well as decorative items, garden ornaments, and keepsakes.
This is a particularly useful option for visitors who are passing through the Waikato and want to take a piece home immediately without waiting for the firing process.
Who Is Splashy For?
The short answer is: everyone. This is not an exaggeration – the studio has been deliberately designed to be welcoming and accessible across all age groups and skill levels.
Families with children are one of the most regular visitor groups. Children find the process genuinely engaging, and the range of pieces includes items small enough for younger children to manage comfortably. The studio has a relaxed atmosphere where there is no pressure to produce a perfect result – the enjoyment is in the process.
Couples and groups of friends regularly use Splashy as a relaxed, social activity – a way to spend a few hours doing something creative together without the competitive edge of other activities. Multiple TripAdvisor reviewers describe it as an unexpectedly enjoyable experience that is easy to sustain for longer than expected.
Corporate groups and team-building visits are accommodated, and the studio is popular for function bookings including birthday parties, hens parties, baby showers, and family celebrations. The Friday night Ladies Evening, held on the last Thursday of each month from 7pm to 9pm, is a regular draw for groups who want an evening social activity with a creative element. Book in advance for any function.
A particularly meaningful and popular use of the studio is baby hand and footprint ceramics – creating a permanent, functional keepsake of a child’s hands or feet in fired ceramic that can be used as a plate, bowl, or displayed as an ornament.
What the Colours Are Made From
One of the things that makes Splashy products distinctively recognisable is the colour. The paints used at the studio are made according to a specific proprietary recipe developed by the Splashy team – the colours are intentionally vivid, bright, and unlike the palette used by most other ceramics studios. When fired and glazed, the colours intensify further, producing finished pieces that are genuinely striking.
This consistency of colour and character means Splashy pieces are recognisable across all the homes where they live – whether in Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, or Christchurch, where Splashy handpainted products are sold through stockists as well as directly from the studio.
Getting There and Practical Information
Splashy is located in the Horotiu Village Hall on the Thermal Explorer Highway (State Highway 1), Horotiu, Waikato – approximately 15 minutes north of Hamilton Central. The studio is well-signposted from the highway and has ample parking.
Walk-ins are welcome, but booking in advance is strongly recommended for any group visit, function, or the monthly Ladies Evening. Call 07 829 9780 or email via the website at splashy.co.nz to make a booking.
Opening Hours and Location
Ladies Evening: Last Thursday of every month, 7pm–9pm (booking required)
- Address: Village Hall, Thermal Explorer Highway (SH1), Horotiu, Waikato (15 minutes north of Hamilton Central)
- Phone: 07 829 9780
- Email: Via splashy.co.nz
- Website: splashy.co.nz
- Firing time: Approximately 10 days
- Posting: Finished pieces can be posted if you are not local
If you are looking for other creative and hands-on activities in the Waikato region, Hamilton also has Mystery Creek Ceramics at MADE in Hamilton East (Thu–Sun 10am–4pm), which offers handcrafted ceramics and supplies. For a broader overview of things to do in and around Hamilton, browse our Hamilton activities guide.
FAQs About Splashy Paint-Your-Own Ceramics Horotiu
Where is Splashy located?
Splashy is at the Village Hall on the Thermal Explorer Highway (SH1) in Horotiu, Waikato – approximately 15 minutes north of Hamilton Central.
How long does it take to get finished ceramics back?
The firing and glazing process takes approximately 10 days after you finish painting. During busy periods like school holidays, it may take slightly longer. Finished pieces can be collected from the studio or posted to you.
Are the finished ceramics dishwasher safe?
Yes. All fired and glazed pieces from Splashy are microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and oven-proof. They can also be used outside as garden art.
Can I take a piece home the same day?
Yes – if you paint your piece with acrylic rather than ceramic glaze, no firing is required and the piece can be taken home immediately. Acrylic-painted pieces are best used as decorative items rather than food-safe dishwasher-safe ceramics.
Does Splashy do birthday parties and group bookings?
Yes. Splashy accommodates birthday parties, hens parties, baby showers, family celebrations, corporate team-building groups, and other functions. Booking in advance is required for group events. Call 07 829 9780 to arrange.
What is the Ladies Evening at Splashy?
The Ladies Evening runs on the last Thursday of every month from 7pm to 9pm. It is a popular social event for groups of women wanting a relaxed creative evening. Booking is required – call or email via splashy.co.nz.
Do I need to book in advance to visit Splashy?
Walk-ins are welcome during regular opening hours. For group visits, functions, or the Ladies Evening, booking in advance is strongly recommended.
