This qualitative study explores how play informs the making process in a media arts environment. Drawing on Dewey's ([1938]1998). Concepts of experience, purpose, and freedom, we explore how play and making are employed in an out-of-school media arts environment. The purpose of this study is to examine one child's use of digital media in this media arts environment. We chronologically unfold one child's experience, which provides a more nuanced description of interactions with and use of the space, tools, and people -- without the distraction of additional participants. The decision to examine one child, one environment eliminates the tendency to compare and contrast children and/or environments, allowing us to appreciate one child's playing and making with digital tools and physical materials in this media arts environment. This study is important as it leads us to questions to guide future research related to digital media as an appropriate tool for young children to play and make with -- especially when employed in a media arts environment.