Let’s start with a moment of honesty:
Most of us parents—myself very much included—want our kids to be creative. Like, genuinely imaginative little beings who can see a cardboard box and think “castle,” “spaceship,” or maybe “interdimensional time portal with glitter cannons.” Not just because it’s cute (although it really is), but because somewhere deep down, we believe that building a creative mindset in kids gives them an edge. In life. In self-expression. Maybe even in healing. And in 2025, when screens are practically stitched into the fabric of our daily lives, finding ways to foster creativity in children through something as timeless and tangible as art? It feels more important than ever.
But here’s the kicker—getting your child into an art hobby without turning it into a chore or a competition? That’s a delicate dance. One I’ve stepped on my own toes doing.
Start With Curiosity, Not Curriculum
Forget Pinterest-perfect craft tables. Honestly. Those spotless white setups with rainbow-sorted markers? They’re gorgeous… and also completely intimidating. Kids don’t need aesthetic backdrops—they need room to be messy, curious, and occasionally chaotic.
When my daughter was five, she once drew a horse with three eyes and insisted it was “a unicorn who sees feelings.” I nearly corrected her. Nearly. But then I thought—who am I to police the anatomy of magical creatures?
If you want to develop art skills in children, let them first fall in love with the process, not the product. That means:
- Giving them materials without expectations.
- Encouraging exploration over instruction.
- Praising effort and wild imagination instead of symmetry or realism.
Because once they’re hooked on the joy of creation, the skills will follow. Slowly, naturally, beautifully.
Make Art Part of Everyday Life (Not Just a Weekend Thing)
You know that saying—”You are what you eat”? Well, kids become what they’re surrounded by. If art is something that only comes out on Saturday afternoons between 3 and 5pm, it’ll always feel like an “extra.” A thing you do if there’s time.
But what if…
- You kept sketchpads in the car?
- Left sticky notes and a pencil on the kitchen counter for spontaneous doodles?
- Asked them to design a “menu cover” for family dinner?
It’s these little moments that normalize creativity. They quietly whisper, “Art belongs here. In our daily rhythm.”
One day, my son asked if he could “decorate” the grocery list. I handed him the notepad and he turned “milk, eggs, and butter” into a cartoon farm scene. Was it practical? Nope. Was it pure magic? Absolutely.
Ditch the Rules (But Keep the Structure)
Okay, this one sounds contradictory. And… it kind of is. But hear me out.
Kids crave freedom, but they also thrive in a bit of gentle structure. It’s like giving them a sandbox. Inside it? Endless creative freedom. Outside it? Boundaries that keep things from going totally off the rails (or onto your white living room wall—been there).
Here’s what I’ve found works in 2025’s overstimulated world:
Try rotating themes instead of instructions
Like “draw your dreams,” “invent a creature,” or “design a new planet.” No right answers, just creative nudges.
Create a “yes space”
A spot where paint splatters are welcome, glitter isn’t a curse word, and nobody’s worried about ruining the carpet.
Offer options, not directives
Instead of “let’s paint flowers,” try “want to try painting with a sponge or a feather today?” Let them steer.
The Best Art Activities for Kids in 2025? It’s the Weird Stuff.
You’d think with all the high-tech toys and digital apps, kids would only want tablets. And sure, they’re drawn to them. But there’s still something deeply satisfying about tactile, messy, offbeat projects that engage the senses—not just the screen.
Some of the unexpected hits at our house recently?
- Bubble-wrap printmaking – wrap their feet in bubble wrap, dip in paint, and let them dance it out.
- Digital-and-physical mashups – like drawing a character by hand, then animating it with a free app.
- Recycled sculpture challenge – where cardboard tubes become giraffes or robots or… both?
It’s not about fancy supplies. It’s about giving them permission to play with ideas.
How to Make Art Fun for Children (Even When You’re Not Feeling Creative)
Some days, you’re just not in the mood. And that’s okay. You don’t need to be an artist yourself to support your child’s art hobby. In fact, your imperfection can be a gift.
Let them see you mess up. Doodle badly. Laugh at your crooked cat sketch. It shows them that art isn’t about being good—it’s about being brave.
Besides, fostering creativity in children isn’t about leading from the front—it’s about cheering from the sidelines.
Encourage them. Ask questions like:
- “What inspired this?”
- “Tell me the story behind that color.”
- “How did you even think of that?”
Let your wonder be genuine, even if you don’t totally get it. Because they can feel the difference between empty praise and curious engagement.
Don’t Force It—But Don’t Ignore It Either
Look, not every kid is going to be Picasso. And that’s not the goal, right?
Some will dive into finger-painting and never look back. Others might dabble, pause, then come back to it years later. Your job isn’t to create an “artist”—it’s to plant the seed. To make sure the door to creativity stays open, even if they only peek through it now and then.
Because that little door? It leads to confidence. To problem-solving. To emotional intelligence. And sometimes… to peace.
Final Thoughts: Your Child’s Art Hobby Is More Than Just Cute Scribbles
As I’m writing this, there’s a painting hanging in our hallway—a blur of reds and golds with a streak of black through the middle. My daughter made it when she was seven and called it “storm inside the sun.” I don’t entirely understand it. But I feel it.
That’s what art does.
It communicates what words can’t.
It lets children explore themselves without judgment.
So if you’re wondering how to develop art skills in children, start by honoring their curiosity. Make room for mess. Say yes more often. Show up, imperfectly. And let them teach you something about seeing the world through wilder, weirder, more wondrous eyes.
