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