The Art of Strewing for Kids

Strewing is the art of casually yet strategically leaving art and learning invitations out for your kids to discover and explore on their own.

Updated May 2022

Do you strew?

If not, we’re going to encourage you to give strewing a try this week.

We first learned about strewing from Kristen Marra of Pepper Paints years ago and have practiced it ever since. You can read more about strewing in The Artful Parent book, too.

First, though, what does this funny word mean?

Strewing is the art of casually yet strategically leaving “invitations” for learning and creativity out for your kids to discover on their own.

NOTE: Strewing is not about adding to the clutter. It’s about creating subtle but irresistible invitations. Product placement if you will. Strewing works best, in fact, in an uncluttered space.

Strewing is more about helping your kids explore and play and create on their own. It’s about introducing or reintroducing materials, books, concepts, in a non-pushy way that lets them own the experience and gives them the thrill of discovery.

How to Try Strewing at Home

So, what and where to strew? Here are some ideas:

Remember, think simple invitations rather than “here’s a project.” And if the strewed items are in a place your kids wouldn’t expect them, they’re more likely to *see* them.

Books (opened to a page on the sofa, bed, or table)

• A new graphic novel on the sofa
• A wordless book (for pre-readers and early readers)
• A touchy-feely book (for toddlers)
• A big grown-up photography book about elephants or sea life or construction

Creative Building Materials

• A basket of blocks or magnet tiles in the middle of the floor
• A container of toothpicks and a bowl of grapes (or marshmallows, blueberries, cheese cubes, or styrofoam pieces)
• A basket of straw builders and some play silks

Art Experiences

• Set a sketchbook open to a fresh page, with some markers and some hole reinforcement stickers
• Get out the playdough, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.
• Put a fresh sheet of paper on the easel along with paints or collage items
• Set out a challenge paper and pen or stickers

Nature

• Set some nature finds on the table or in a basket
• Leave a pair of binoculars and a bird guide on the windowsill
• Set up a microscope near the nature table

Creative Toys

• Set out a couple of matchbox cars, easel paper, tape, and cardboard tubes
• Line up some animal figurines along the edge of a table
• Bring out a toy cash register and pretend money

The idea is to choose ideas, materials, and books that will inspire your kids’ imagination, creativity, play, curiosity.

Some of your strewing ideas may be ignored, but you know your children and their changing interests and abilities best; work with that knowledge.

We also tend to strew with items that our kids can do or use on their own without too much supervision (you can watch out of the corner of your eye) or mess (we wouldn’t consider shaving cream art to be a good contender for strewing, for example).

Ready to give strewing a try?

More Art Invitations for Kids

• 10 Invitations to Create to Bring Out Kids’ Natural Creativity
• The Best Kids Art Ideas
• Our Favorite Playdough Play Ideas for Kids’ Everyday Creativity
• 13 Easy Art and Craft Activities for Transitions

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