creating with a kid- art journal play dates

As many of you know, an art journal is one of my favorite places for me to practice, explore, brainstorm and play with all kinds of mixed media techniques. But did you know that art journaling is also one of my favorite ways to create with kids? It is such a fun accessible way for kids to experiment, journal, doodle and play. With summer in full swing, art journaling can be a really fun activity for all ages. Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate art journaling with kids.

Art journaling is great activity for variety of ages (and skill levels) working at the same time with the same supplies together!

Let that art journal be the place where all that art happens! While I love to plan and orchestrate all kinds of art projects, it can be a lot of work to pull out different supplies. I love that Lucy's art journal is a really small easy place to get creative when we are limited with time and the ability to access lots of supplies.

While we love binding our own art journals, you can use just about any pad of paper for an art journal- a watercolor pad, a mixed media pad of paper, a sketchbook or even a composition notebook are all great things to use.

Prompts are a wonderful way to kickstart ideas with kids (or any age) and can be helpful when you are staring at a blank page. I like to have a handful of prompts (typically organized by season, or things we are talking about or learning about) ready to go. Having prompts on hand adds a little bit of guidance/direction for an art journaling session.

I like to select 2-3 different techniques at a time and I always limit the rules (typically there are no rules) and let them interpret the techniques and run with them!

As tempting as it can be to discourage kids from making mud by mixing all of the colors, I always give them the freedom to figure it out on there own. And you know what? They always do!

Embrace the mess! Giving kids (or anyone) the permission to make a mess is often all we need in order to stop overthinking and just get creative!

Art journaling is a really great family, friend, playdate activity and getting adults inviolved with the kids is another fun way to socialize and bond!

Looking for more or projects or inspiration for creating with kiddos? Head on over to my creating with a kid series of posts HERE