4 Ways To Get Your Children Into Arts

Trying to get kids to put down their devices and pick up a paintbrush can feel like pulling teeth. I used to think all I had to do was set out a nice box of markers and a little desk, and the magic would just happen. More often than not, I’d get about two minutes of distracted doodling before they were asking for their iPad back. It’s honestly exhausting, especially when you remember how much fun it is to just make a mess and create something.

The secret isn’t trying to force them to be the next Picasso. It’s about taking the pressure off so making art doesn’t feel like homework. It doesn’t have to be this big, planned-out weekend event. Just a few tiny tweaks to how you set things up can help them figure out what they actually enjoy. Here are four simple ways to bring more creativity into your home without the daily arguments.

1. Leave the Good Supplies Out Most of us have a tendency to hide the “good” art supplies. We save the nice watercolor paper or the fresh set of paints for a rainy day or a special project. The problem is that kids operate on impulse. If they have to ask for permission, wait for you to dig the box out of the closet, and set up a protected workspace, the creative urge usually passes.

Instead, create a permanent, accessible art station. It does not have to be elaborate. A small table in the corner of the kitchen or a rolling cart with bins works perfectly. Keep the paper, crayons, and washable markers within their reach. Having a paint by the numbers set displayed right there on the shelf can also be a massive help. It acts as a bridge between freeform mess and guided creation. When the blank page feels intimidating, a structured activity gives them a low-pressure way to dip their toes into painting without worrying about making a “mistake.”

2. Praise the Process, Not the Product Kids are incredibly hard on themselves. I’ve watched my son draw a dog, decide it looks like a weird blob, and immediately crumple the paper into a tight little ball. They get so caught up in making it look “right” that they forget to actually enjoy the drawing part.

I had to completely change how I react when they show me their work. Asking “what is it?” just makes them freeze up and get defensive. Now, I just point out specific things. I’ll say, “I really like how you mixed those two blues,” or “You worked so hard on shading this part.” Taking the focus off the final picture takes all the pressure away. They start to realize that messing around with colors and lines is just fun, no matter what it ends up looking like.

3. Turn Everyday Outings into Inspiration Hunts Art honestly has a lot more to do with how you look at things than with sitting down at a craft table. I realized this when my youngest pointed out that the clouds looked like a sleeping dog one afternoon — she was already noticing shapes and colors without me ever teaching her to.

Now I try to sneak little observation games into our regular day. Walking to the park, I’ll casually ask if she can spot three different greens in the trees. I keep a tiny sketchbook in my bag, nothing fancy, and whenever we’re stuck waiting for a table somewhere, I’ll pull it out. She’ll doodle the ketchup bottle or try to draw the weird pattern on someone’s shoes. It’s such a small thing, but I’ve noticed she just sees more now. The cracks in the sidewalk, the way shadows stretch in the afternoon. She doesn’t call it art, and that’s kind of the point.

4. Make It a Family Ritual Kids watch what we do way more closely than they listen to what we tell them. If you want them to actually enjoy making things, they have to see you doing it, too. You don’t have to be some master crafter or talented painter. You just have to be okay with making a lopsided clay pot or a messy sketch right next to them.

We actually started doing this a few months ago, just picking a low-pressure time to make stuff together. Usually, it’s Sunday morning while the coffee is brewing, or sometimes a lazy Friday night after the dishes are finally done. We’ll put on a playlist, sweep the mail and car keys off the dining table, and everyone just grabs their own little project. I might try to knit, the kids sketch, or we just dump out a jigsaw puzzle. If you want to keep that creative momentum going without anyone stressing over a blank piece of paper, I’ve found it really helps to shop paint by number kits that the whole family can tackle together. Having a guided project gives everyone an easy starting point and somehow always sparks the best, most random conversations. We aren’t trying to make museum pieces here. The best part is just falling into a rhythm where making things together becomes a normal, cozy part of your week.

Let Them Lead Getting children into the arts is not about enrolling them in the most expensive classes or filling your house with craft kits that will eventually be thrown away. It is about creating an environment where curiosity is welcomed and the mess is manageable.

Some days they will spend an hour completely absorbed in shading a drawing. Other days, they will touch a marker to the paper, decide they are done, and run outside to play. Both are victories. Keep the supplies accessible, keep your expectations grounded, and let them discover the joy of making something entirely their own.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.