Remember the first time your little one made their very own artwork? They were beaming with pride and so excited to show you what they had made. Your heart was melting with adoration, and although you couldn’t tell exactly what their painting was supposed to be, you pinned it proudly on the fridge anyway… But what you maybe didn’t realise was that this painting wasn’t just the by-product of a marvellously messy afternoon. It was the start of their creative education!
Whether it’s a blotchy potato print, rumpled tissue paper collage, or chaotic swirls of colourful crayons, there’s lots that kids can learn from creative activities. We sometimes forget that creative education can have profound developmental and cognitive benefits. Indeed, Albert Einstein once famously claimed that “creativity is intelligence having fun” — and we couldn’t agree more!
Creative education incorporates these creative practices in learning. It uses creative activities like painting, designing, and building to boost kids' understanding and progression. So come with us to learn why it’s so important and how you can incorporate it into your child’s education!
Why prioritise creative education for kids?
The benefits of creative education are often overlooked. In an increasingly tech-obsessed world it can be easy to dismiss the importance of creativity for our kids. But there’s so much that creative activities can teach our children. Whilst textbooks and tests can be important, we shouldn’t underestimate the profound long-term benefits of creativity for kids.
Creativity isn’t just about having fun with all things sticky, glittery, and colourful. Creativity provides children with an outlet to express themselves. Most kids can struggle to explain how they are feeling, they don’t yet possess the vocabulary or patience to communicate as they might like to. That’s where creativity can step in. Through their art they can ask questions, feel sad, feel angry, feel anything! Creative activities allow them to explore and understand their emotional landscape.
Furthermore, creative activities are also excellent for developing children’s decision making skills. What shade is best for a sunset? What material looks like the scales of a fish? Are sequins or glitter glue the best way to decorate a bauble? Through these decisions children hone their critical thinking skills, learn how to approach challenges from various angles, and embrace the unconventional. What may seem like simple decisions actually do go to show that “creativity is intelligence having fun”!
The Best Creative Activities for Kids
1) Storytelling through art:
Pick a theme, any theme – from jungles to outer space – and let your child paint or draw their story. The key isn’t perfection but expression. As Picasso said, “every child is an artist”, so let them take the lead on their own creative practice and show you how it’s done!
2) Musical journeys:
Music is a universal language. Even if it’s just banging on pots and pans, it counts! Create instruments from household items and let your mini maestro compose their symphony. Try elastic bands stretched over tupperware for a makeshift guitar, or use a pencil to strike glasses with varying water levels for a simple xylophone!
3) The craft of nature:
A walk in the park can be an art lesson in disguise. Collect leaves, twigs, or flowers and transform them into collage masterpieces.
Sounds like something your little artist would love? Check out our FLOWER PRESS & NATURE BANNERS!
4) Mundane to Marvellous
Empty cardboard boxes, discarded buttons, and worn-out clothes. Sounds like clutter? Think again! These can be the raw materials for your child's next art project.
Arts and Crafts for Creative Education
We've curated unique and exciting craft projects that ignite kids’ creativity and provide hours of artistic fun. Choose from our huge range of creative crafts to incorporate into your child’s creative education!
Rainbow Butterflies Craft:
Our Rainbow Butterflies craft will have little hands busy and little hearts all aflutter! This craft is all about experimentation through art, making it perfect for those rainy afternoons when creativity comes calling. Check it out!
Owl Lantern Craft:
Hoot, hoot! Bring the magic of the forest to your home with this delightful owl lantern craft. Using materials like felt, googly eyes, and coloured paper, children can craft their adorable nocturnal friend. Read bedtime stories together by the glow of the owl lantern’s light and imagine exciting stories for your feathered friend to fly through!
Find out more here!
Enjoying the Creative Journey
The joys of creative education aren't just in the outcome but in the journey. Observing a child engaged in arts and crafts, immersed in their world of imagination, is a sight to behold. Who knows where their creativity will lead? Who know what wonderful things they will learn along the way?
Hungry for more creative delights? 🎨
Visit Our Shop: Dive into a world of crafts, books, and art supplies specially tailored for your young artist. From bumper boxes of craft materials to themed creative kits, we’ve got everything your child needs to get creative.
Join the ultimate craft subscription: Monthly doses of crafty goodness delivered to your doorstep! Become a member today and unlock a treasure trove of creative activities perfect for your little creator.
Let’s turn every day into a canvas of possibilities and continue to let intelligence have fun!
Curated by Jéssica Dorantes
Content Strategist and Editor
Curated by Jéssica Dorantes
Jéssica is a published author of children’s literature and has more than 5 years of experience working with educational content, three of them aimed specifically at children and families.
She graduated in Literature and Languages and specialised in Editorial Production, with a Linguistics Masters.
