Even before children are able to express their ideas and feelings with words, they have the natural ability to express themselves through art. The simplicity and accessibility of drawing, painting, molding clay, and other artistic activities provide kids with creative ways to convey thoughts and feelings—not to mention the ability to just have fun.
Creating art also helps kids practice emotional and developmental skills, whether they scribble across the page with a marker or delve into painting and color exploration.
In order to encourage your child to explore their creativity at home, Melissa & Doug is excited to offer these ideas for creating the ultimate child-friendly artist’s studio. The key is to provide a welcoming creative space that fosters talent, feels comfortable, and helps kids thrive.
Shop creative fun from Melissa & Doug for your child’s art studio
Step 1: Choose the right location
You can set up a corner art space in a bedroom, playroom, or other space that has good lighting (natural light is best), and a floor that’s easy to clean. You can always throw a drop cloth or old sheet on the floor if it’s not tiled. The space doesn’t need to be large; in fact, it should be small enough to make supplies within easy reach for kids. If possible, set up the space near the kitchen or laundry area with access to water and cleaning supplies.
Step 2: Set up an easel
Once you’ve located a good space, choose an easel for kids such as the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Standing Art Easel as a focal point. This sturdy double-sided easel features a white board, chalk board, and includes paper, plastic tray, and other artist accessories.
If you think that a desktop easel would work better, the Double Sided Magnetic Tabletop Easel is a perfect choice. It has a magnetic dry-erase board on one side, chalkboard on the other, and includes a paper roll, and 36 letter and number magnets.
Step 3: Stock up on supplies
You don’t have to worry about an overwhelming art supply shopping list when you get the Easel Companion Accessory Set. A lot of the work is done for you in this set that includes everything young artists need when inspiration strikes. It comes with poster paints, spill-proof paint cups, brushes, chalk, dry-erase marker, and more.
Step 4: Have plenty of paper
The Melissa & Doug wooden easels come with rolls of art paper, but be sure to have more rolls on hand as the masterpieces keep coming. You can also get some art pads suitable for drawing, finger painting, and a large easel paper pad that’s big enough to share.
Step 5: Add fun details
Once you have the basic supplies, enhance your child’s experience with items that can add additional layers of creativity into their artwork. Kids can add fun details to their creations with toys such as our Sticker WOW! collection of character-based sticker stampers that can be loaded with stickers over and over, or our Dinosaurs Wooden Stamp Set and the Friendship Stamp Set, which includes stamps, a stamp pad, and colored pencils.
The Scratch Art Rainbow Mini Notes introduce a unique way for kids to easily create vibrant designs.
And don’t forget how much kids love to express themselves by working with clay. The Melissa & Doug Clay Activity Bundles are a perfect way to round out the art studio setup.
Step 6: Dress for the mess
It goes without saying that little ones will make a mess when they explore with paints and other art supplies. Kids can stay neat and clean with Melissa & Doug’s Durable Artist’s Smock. This kid’s smock is perfect for arts & crafts with an easy-clean surface, roomy pockets, and a write-on chest pocket for personalization. And it features adjustable straps so one size fits all!
By following these six easy steps for creating an art space for your child, you’re helping to spark their imagination and foster a love for art that could last a lifetime.
Want more great content from Melissa & Doug? Follow the links below:
5 Ways to Upcycle Melissa & Doug Wooden Trays
How Toys Can Help Develop Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence
The Magic of Independent Play in Toddlers & Preschoolers
