As we find ourselves in the midst of summer, the quest to keep kids entertained becomes ever more pressing. If your goal is to foster learning and creativity in your children during these sunny months, who better to draw inspiration from than artists with experiences at Disney, Marvel, and more? Below, you’ll discover invaluable advice from four artists, including two who have penned tips specifically for you to share with your little ones!
NURTURING CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN
These four insights from Disney artists spanning the nation can aid parents in cultivating creativity in their children and giving them the boost of confidence needed to elevate their artistic prowess. Read on to explore why transforming messy projects into digital art can be a game-changer, the significance of dedicating time and showing genuine interest in your children’s creative pursuits, and how to kindle musical interests together.
“TRANSFORM MESSY PROJECTS INTO DIGITAL ART” — ARA KERMANIKIAN
We all fondly recall our childhood days of Play-Doh, sculpting imaginative creations that sprung from our minds, leaving behind a trail of colorful chaos. Parents, consider taking these messy projects and transforming them into a clean digital experience. Equipping your child with digital sculpting tools can replicate the tactile joy of molding, enabling them to push, pull, add, subtract, and even transcend the constraints of physical materials like Play-Doh. They can showcase their 3D creations and even bring them to life as tangible objects through 3D printing. Accessible introductory tools like ZBrush Core Mini offer a splendid starting point.
This digital avenue can broaden your child’s horizons, igniting their imagination within the boundless digital realm and enabling them to spend their summer break productively by creating art and enhancing their skills.
“MAKE ROOM FOR NOVEL EXPERIENCES” — MIKE MORRIS
Allocating time for fresh experiences holds the key to enriching a child’s mind with exciting novelties and equipping them with the tools to unleash their creativity. Children are perpetual sponges, soaking up the nuances of their surroundings, encounters, and escapades. Frequently, these vivid impressions find expression on paper, in crafts, sculptures, or even social media posts—various forms of artistic expression. Encourage kids to explore new locales and engage in unfamiliar activities, whether it’s through sampling diverse cuisines, delving into sports, or embracing hobbies. Observe how these encounters manifest in their artistry.
“JIVE TO SOME TUNES AND JOIN THE FUN” — ETHAN CASTILLO
Music often serves as a catalyst, propelling kids into a creative groove. Curate a playlist featuring your children’s cherished tunes, infusing them with excitement for imaginative endeavors. Better yet, partake in their artistic pursuits! Creativity thrives in the company of kindred spirits, and art provides an avenue for wonderful bonding moments that your children will treasure. Join them in drawing and crafting to illustrate that art is not only fun but also a shared adventure.
“SHOW GENUINE INTEREST” — QUINCY VADAN
To inspire your children, demonstrate a sincere interest that fuels their creative fire. Go beyond routine questions like “What is it?” and “How did you do that?” Display genuine curiosity about your child’s creative process, showcasing your investment in their artistic journey and endorsing their identity as budding creatives.
Expressing this support can also be as simple as gifting your child with art supplies. Even if you’re uncertain about their preferred artistic medium, offer them an assortment of supplies and watch their creativity flourish. I can still recall the excitement of receiving art materials from my aunt as a child, where the possibilities seemed boundless, spanning from paper and crayons to paint and even digital tools like a Wacom Intuos Tablet or Wacom One.
CREATIVITY TIPS FOR KIDS
Children sometimes benefit from an extra dose of encouragement, especially when it comes from adults who have crafted art for iconic brands like Disney and Marvel—two names children adore. Here are two quick tips to impart to your kids, guiding them on how to discover their unique style by harnessing the world around them.
“EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUE STYLE” — QUINCY VADAN
Emphasize the importance of staying true to their unique style, as their version of the world holds immeasurable value. Encourage them to recreate their beloved toys, movie characters, or game personas in their distinctive style. Let their imagination take flight as they redesign these characters in ways they believe they should have been crafted. Whether it’s envisioning the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as cats, dogs, or snapping turtles, nothing should limit their creative boundaries!
“SEEK INSPIRATION ALL AROUND” — ETHAN CASTILLO
Urge your children not to shy away from drawing inspiration from other works of art. Encourage them to explore comics, toys, books, and any other sources of inspiration at their disposal. Inspiration envelops them from all angles, so why not make the most of it? By sketching what they love and drawing from their familiarity, they can expedite the development of their unique artistic style while relishing every moment of it!
