HAVING a creative 10-year-old we tend to end up at crafty locations.

Pottery painting is one of those rare occasions where you get time to sit down and test your creativity, whatever your age or ability.

And there is something very very therapeutic about pottery painting. May be its the brush strokes, the concentration required and the uninterrupted bliss that many of us no longer benefit from following the introduction of the hand-held technology which now dominates our lives.

With the half-term holiday underway, and having tried and enjoyed pottery painting before, Katy chose our latest destination and what a special place this is.

Located in Elland, The Mouse House Pottery Company is a wonderful place to let your creativity flow.

Boasting its very own Mouse House - home to a family of harvest mice and an instant attraction for its gathering young audience - the pottery studio is run by its friendly and welcoming head artist, Jenny Kemp.

Fashioned and styled with farmhouse dressers boasting 300 unglazed pottery pieces as well as completed works of art to spark that creative inspiration, the Mouse House also has a range of make and take items for those seeking a swifter result.

From practical pieces such as cereal bowls, mugs and plates to more detailed and intricate ornaments such as an enchanted castle or a ceramic trainer boot - there is something to suit all ambitions and abilities.

When customers have selected which piece they want to paint, they can learn about the various techniques and tools they can use such as sponge shapes and stamps to decorate. Transfer techniques of popular example designs are available too.

Setting down the unicorn Katy has chosen to paint, we sit at our table topped with a cheery floral tablecloth.

Before us is a carousel of non-toxic and washable paints and a mixing palette. After selecting the colours, and some explanation about the amount of coverage to make her piece bold and beautiful, Katy sets to work transforming the white pottery piece into a work of art.

As any parent will appreciate hands-on activities struggle to compete with the instantly appealing hand-held technology gadgets and games.

And that is what was so refreshing about this place. Every table was full with parents painting with their children.

All were immersed in what they were doing; working together, sharing ideas and helping each other.

Within half an hour Katy's once-white ceramic is slowly transforming into a rainbow of colours, bringing her pottery piece to life - although not literally!

From pale pink hooves to turquoise body and rainbow coloured mane, Katy dips into each bottle on the carousel of paint pots.

Plenty of thought went into choosing the colours and deep concentration is required with such intricate work so it is certainly an activity to get children thinking and also keeps them entertained for a while.

One little boy sat close by was putting the finishing touches to his pot pig while his Mum worked away on a cup and saucer, a wonderful striped pink and purple combination.

On another table a group of young boys were having fun with the 'Mouse Mud', an air-drying clay perfect for wrapping the pottery as an alternative to painting. The mouldable clay has mini foam particles to help decorate the pottery surface. It is warmed in the hands and moulded into shape around the item.

Unlike the painted pottery pieces which are glazed and fired on site, items created with the mouldable clay can be taken home on the same day along with other items such as the Fairy Doors, which can be painted and decorated, or Decopatch - another instant creation - allowing crafters to decorate their creation in the special paper without the need to glaze or fire.

But we didn't have to wait long to collect Katy's unicorn, within days it was ready and it was definitely worth the wait!

The Mouse House Pottery Company is a wonderful place for families or friends to spend time together and even create handmade gifts with a personal touch.

The Mouse House Pottery Company is at 16 Victoria Road, Elland, HX5 0PU. For more information call 01422 646919; email Jenny@mousehousepottery.co.uk or visit mousehousepottery.co.uk