A snow day lifeline for working parents!

Greetings, dear reader, from the frozen tundra of Southern Connecticut 🥶. On this very wintry Monday, I’m resurfacing a favorite from the archives (circa 2022) that feels especially timely. In my conversation with Bar Rucci, founder of ArtBar, she shares a trove of fun, kid-centered art projects—perfect for those of us in the Northeast who are home on a snow day, trying to get a little work done while keeping small humans creatively occupied. And for those of you who escaped the weather drama, consider this one to tuck into your back pocket for the weekend.

Enjoy and stay warm!

The importance of fostering creativity

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July 21, 2022

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BR: I have over 400 art projects on my blog, ranging from the simplest, open-ended toddler ideas to the more in-depth craft projects for tweens and teens and everything in between. I love anything using cardboard and recyclables, activities that engage multi-ages, and projects that have a big “wow” factor, like printmaking and weaving.

If I had to choose one all-time fave, it would be any of the times I brought out a pile of shoeboxes along with a table of loose parts and invited children to make a box city. We hot glue the boxes together so it looks like an apartment building or a big house, and then the kids are free to embellish the rooms any way they choose. Projects like this can last days and even weeks and encourages so much innovation and imaginary play.

BR: Yes, absolutely! Again, not to sound like a broken record, but the key in peaking children’s interest is giving them the supplies and trusting them to make whatever they want. This way, you don’t have to be involved at all. It’s good to set some simple rules, like supplies stay at the table, and maybe no tempera paint while you are not there (depending on age). Otherwise, just be intentional in setting out materials, and save some special supplies for when you have a longer meeting so they are excited by the novelty. Some greatest hits are:

1. A mailbox station with envelopes, cardstock, paper punches, stickers, markers, and a pretend cardboard mailbox with a slot. It’s an almost guaranteed hour, at least.

2. A clothespin / craft stick people-making station, with colored washi tape, markers, cloth squares, scissors, and a glue stick. Kids love making people, and if you pair it with a cardboard box they will find a way to make a house or a theatre to go with their people.

3. Or a simple watercolor station can be something that will keep a child’s interest for quite some time, especially if it’s a special supply that isn’t used as often. Give children a big piece of paper, or a pile of smaller pieces, and invite them to cover the whole page. You can also give them a pencil to draw with, some crayons, and scissors for extended exploration of supplies and techniques.