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Why a Kids Art Room Isn’t Just About Art

by Megan Schiller
March 1, 2022
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Creating a kids art room can be about so much more than just art. Guest post by Megan Schiller of The Art Pantry

Updated March 2022

When you think about having a kids art room in your home, what comes to mind?

Whenever I talk about my kids doing art in our home, most people think I’m talking about painting, drawing, or crafting.

We’ve had a dedicated space for creating in our home for almost 9 years, ever since my oldest daughter was 18 months old. My girls do a lot of painting, drawing, and crafting of course, but I’ve learned over the years that an art space isn’t just about art.

girls in kids art room
Photo by Megan Schiller

An art space is really more like a workshop or a science lab. It’s a place where kids explore materials, investigate ideas, experiment with ingredients, learn new skills, build things, and make astonishing discoveries!

Over the years, my kids have used our art space to write stories and songs, they’ve built their own toys, they’ve made family card games, they’ve made musical instruments… I could go on and on.

What I love most is that my kids have become resourceful, expressive, and confident creators in this art space.

Megan Schiller
Megan Schiller - Clay creations
Photo by Megan Schiller

How To Go Beyond Art in Your Kids Art Room

If you want to expand your kids’ creative exploration here are 4 tips to get started:

girl creating sculpture in kids art room
Photo by Megan Schiller

1. Offer A New Art Prompt

Set up an art prompt with some new tools and materials that aren’t typical art supplies, like a child-sized hammer, wood, and nails. Show your kids how to use them and supervise until they get the hang of it.

Megan Schiller - A science lab experiment
Photo by Megan Schiller

2. Set Up A Mini Science Lab

Set out a tray of ingredients for science experiments like baking soda, vinegar, and liquid watercolor (or food coloring). Kids love to mix and pour so make sure to include a few jars or beakers for multiple experiments.

Megan Schiller - Girl with wand with jingle bells on it
Photo by Megan Schiller

3. Upcycle Broken Toys & Recyclables

Save your recyclables or broken toy bits and keep them in a bin near your art supplies. A low temperature hot glue gun works wonders with these “junk” items. This has been our number one resource for making toy accessories in our home!

Megan Schiller - brushes & paints made with spices for an art space
Photo by Megan Schiller

4. Try New & Exciting Combinations

Keep writing materials, art supplies, basic tools, and science materials all in one place so your kids can easily mix things up and try new combinations of materials.

Girl working on beading art project - Megan Schiller
Photo by Megan Schiller

Need help setting up your kids art room?

I’m dedicated to helping more kids have access to creative tools and materials. So if you want help setting up an creative space in your home, I’m here for you!

  • My online course, Art Pantry Design Camp, will guide you through the process of setting up an organized and inviting space for your kids (no matter your budget or the size of your space!).

Design Camp is a 5 week course with step-by-step instructions, clickable product lists, videos, group accountability, inspiration, and support. I guide you through the process and answer every question that comes up for you!

And for the month of September, I’m offering all Artful Parent followers 20% off my Design Camp course and eguides. Just use code ArtfulParent at checkout.

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