Art Is All Around!

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso

While not everyone becomes a Picasso, art is a fundamentally important aspect of childhood. Yes, various forms of art come more naturally to some than others, but let your children try to discover what they’re naturally good at and what they enjoy most.

As with most things, your children will feed off of your interest and excitement about art. Simply incorporate a certain aspect of art into something you already enjoy and see where each child takes it.

Perhaps you enjoy reading. Discuss what illustrators are and how they bring a story to life through pictures. Find a wordless picture book such as The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney and talk about how you can understand a story just by looking at the pictures. You could even fold some blank paper together and write and draw a story together.

Maybe photography is up your alley. Talk to your child about looking for beauty or interest when taking a photo. Give your child a camera (they still sell disposables!) and let him take photos. Have the photos printed and put them in a photo album.

Let your children help you in the kitchen. Come up with a new recipe or modify a favorite. I have even let my kids paint animal crackers with colored yogurt. You also can decorate cookies or a pizza.

Music is an easy way to incorporate art. Play a variety of background music as your children play or do chores. Play different music for different occasions, such as Celtic music on St. Patrick’s Day or Latin music during taco night. I also play toddler music while they are in the jogging stroller while I run.

Nature is another fantastic place to notice art in the beauty of landscaping and flowers. Head out to the Overland Park Arboretum or tour the Loose Park Rose Garden. Don’t forget your camera!

Kansas City is a fabulous place for taking kids to art as well. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art hosts summer art classes, or you can simply take a family field trip to the museum. The Johnson County Museum, Wonderscope, Kaleidoscope and Kookiedoodle Crafts are also great choices. There are many music classes, such as Music with Mar, and dance classes all around the area, too. A paint your own pottery place makes a fun son/daughter date, and what grandparent wouldn’t love that as a gift? 

Local craft stores and home improvement stores, such as Michael’s and Home Depot, also offer kids workshops. Mark your calendars for the Plaza Art Fair on Sept. 19-21 this year and check out a local car show as a family. Older children can even try their hands at a theater camp or class.

Ultimately, art can help children express their feelings, develop fine motor skills and learn to take risks. Children and art tend to go hand in hand if you allow opportunity and accessibility to it. To make things simple, put some crayons and blank paper on your table and see what happens!

Stephanie Loux enjoys creating with her two young children. She writes during naptime from her home in Olathe.