Welcome to the creative world!
At Little Carpenters, children design and build their own wooden toys, puzzles and 3D creations using a safe, child-sized carpentry machine. Each session blends woodcraft with painting, design and storytelling, so children don't just learn to use tools: they learn to trust their hands and their ideas. Our programme was created by an art therapist, so every project is built around the process, the senses and each child's pace, not a single "right" result.
Meet the Founder
I'm Ela Mazmanoglu, an art therapist and the founder of Little Carpenters. With a background in philosophy, theatre and yoga, I've seen how much changes when children build something real with their own hands: they slow down, focus, solve problems and walk away proud. Today, together with a team of experienced professionals, we bring Little Carpenters to 25+ international schools and cultural spaces across Portugal.
Meet the fabulous crew behind the magic!
João
Rita
Mariana
What We Offer
In-school programmes
Weekly or twice-weekly after-school and curriculum sessions, up to 1 hour per group.
Holiday camps
Nature, art and woodcraft camps for school holidays, including our Winter Camp 2026.
Family workshops
Weekend workshops at partner venues, open to families with children aged 4+
Trusted by schools across Portugal
Also working with municipalities and cultural partners
Bring Little Carpenters to your school
Tell us about your school and we'll send a proposal shaped around your timetable, age groups and goals.
João is a guitarist and singer in the band Mt. Roshi, and has been playing instruments since the age of 12. Music has always been a big part of his life, shaping the way he expresses himself and connects with others.
Alongside performing, he is also a music teacher, giving bass and guitar lessons. He strongly believes in encouraging children to use their hands, explore real instruments, and develop new skills beyond screens while discovering the importance of expressing themselves through music. 🎸
Rita is the heart behind Little Carpenters. She’s happiest by the beach, inspired by the scent of the sea breeze and the joy of discovering new hobbies!
With a background in Communication Sciences and Journalism, Rita began her career as a Content Writer. But her love for education led her to follow her heart and pursue a degree in Primary Education a decision that shaped her path in the most beautiful way.
Today, she brings together learning and creativity in everything she does. At Little Carpenters, she teaches carpentry and also leads creative workshops like crochet, embroidery, and painting.
She truly believes that life is more meaningful when shared and that we grow and flourish best when we create and learn together. 🌿
Mariana joined Little Carpenters bringing together two things she truly loves: children and crafts.
She is a Special Educational Specialist and Psychomotor Therapist, working in both clinical and school settings with children with special educational needs, especially in the assessment and support of learning difficulties.
At Little Carpenters, she finds a space where creativity and hands-on learning come to life, nurturing teamwork, problem-solving, confidence, and the joy of turning an idea into something real.
Outside of her work, Mariana loves the sun, the sea, and being surrounded by nature. She enjoys drawing, painting, experimenting with different materials, and sharing her passion for creating with the children in her workshops. 🌞
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