| If the front of your fridge is already | | | | own flavor to their playroom, then designate |
| carrying more of your kid's artwork than it | | | | some space on the walls for them to create a |
| can handle, then maybe its time to find some | | | | mural. Help them plan what the space will |
| new outlets for their artistic creations. An | | | | look like, and use the opportunity as a |
| art set can make a great gift for a child of | | | | chance to show them how to design and to use |
| any age, but helping your kids find | | | | space effectively. The contrasting spaces |
| productive ways to use one can be a bit of a | | | | that the kids will naturally create will help |
| challenge. Kids are often drawn to the idea | | | | make the room uniquely theirs. |
| of creating things with an art set, but seem | | | | |
| to have some trouble executing their ideas | | | | Host your own Gallery Opening |
| into reality. You can help them by presenting | | | | |
| some concrete ideas and giving them simple | | | | The next time you have guests over, help your |
| projects that they can complete themselves. | | | | kids set up a small gallery of their art |
| The sense of satisfaction that they will have | | | | projects. You can use the playroom or a |
| after completing a project will be | | | | hallway for the artistic event. Let the kids |
| immeasurable. | | | | invite guests to view their work and help |
| | | | them with the ability to explain each piece. |
| Making Gifts | | | | Your guests will find that this is |
| | | | entertaining and will probably give your kids |
| Though the art set may have been a gift, it | | | | more encouragement and praise than you ever |
| can also be used to make gifts. When it comes | | | | could have imagined. Not only is this a great |
| time to remember birthdays for grandparents, | | | | way to use an art set, but it is a great way |
| teachers, or family friends, getting your | | | | to fuel your kid's creative fire. |
| kids involved in making gifts has several | | | | |
| benefits. First, it gives children a real | | | | Decorate Plain Toys |
| sense of ownership over the gift. You may be | | | | |
| able to help them with some basic ideas in | | | | You can purchase plain wooden toys fairly |
| order to get started, but as they get going, | | | | inexpensively. At first, your kids may |
| their own creative processes will take over. | | | | complain because the toys don't have any |
| Second, a present made with care by a child | | | | bright colors or flashing lights, but once |
| often ends up being a prized possession of | | | | they realize that you are going to help them |
| the recipient. The thoughtfulness behind a | | | | use their art set to decorate/paint their new |
| child's art project is a gift that will last | | | | toys then they will be ecstatic. This is an |
| much longer than a new necktie. | | | | excellent way to encourage kids to use their |
| | | | imaginations as they can add any number of |
| Murals | | | | features and characteristics to each toy. The |
| | | | possibilities are only as big as their |
| If you really want to let your kids add their | | | | dreams. |