Explore the inspiring books by Jean Van’t Hul of The Artful Parent. You’ll love these creative guides for making art with kids at home.
Updated July 2025
Welcome! If you’re looking to bring more creativity into your home, you’re in the right place. Jean Van’t Hul, the founder of The Artful Parent, has written a series of books that empower families to explore art together with joy and confidence.
Whether you’re new to art or a seasoned maker, these books offer simple, fun, and meaningful ways to connect through creativity.
Here’s a little bit more about each book and where to buy it!
Books by Jean Van’t Hul, Creator of The Artful Parent
The Artful Parent
The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family’s Life with Art & Creativity is Jean’s first book and has the tools you need to encourage your children’s creativity through art. It’s been translated into several languages and sold around the world and was recently completely updated and revised.
Winner of the 2013 Family Choice Awards and named one Amazon’s Best Crafting Books, this book provides readers with the tools and inspiration to offer an art-rich environment that encourages children’s creativity, imagination, and self-confidence. Topics covered include:
- How to get started
- Choose art supplies
- Set up an art space
- How to talk to kids about art
- Fun arts & crafts activities
The Artful Year
Celebrate the seasons and holidays through art, crafts, and cooking together with The Artful Year: Celebrating the Seasons & Holidays with Family Arts and Crafts.
The Artful Year walks through the year with creative ideas to celebrate each of the seasons and holidays with arts and crafts, food, picture books, and more:
- Arts and crafts, using the materials, colors, and themes of the season
- Decorations to make as a family
- Favorite seasonal recipes that are fun for children to help make (and eat)
- Ideas for celebrating the holidays together
- Suggested reading lists of children’s picture books about the seasons and holidays
Invitation to Draw
Invitation to Draw: 99 Drawing Prompts to Inspire Kids’ Creativity is packed with fun, open-ended prompts designed to spark imagination and creative thinking. Whether your child is at home during quiet time, in the car, or waiting at a restaurant or doctor’s office, this book is the perfect screen-free activity to keep hands and minds engaged.
Unlike Jean Van’t Hul’s previous books, Invitation to Draw isn’t about setting up art projects—it’s about handing kids a prompt and letting their imaginations take the lead. It’s simple, playful, and full of possibilities.
As Jean says, “Drawing prompts help children draw and think more creatively by inspiring them with interesting and challenging art prompts and questions.”
Jean Van’t Hul’s books are loved by families and teachers because they make it easy and fun to bring more creativity into everyday life. Whether you want to help your child explore art, build creative habits, or enjoy more meaningful time together, The Artful Parent books are full of ideas and inspiration. We hope you check them all out!
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