Oftentimes we are struggling to find creative outlets for our kids and teens. It’s hard enough when they’re in school and there are crazy after school schedules to follow and then there are times where there is “nothing to do” as your children would say and you are left struggling to find something to fill their time. It’s even worse in the summer if your kids aren’t in a regular summer camp program or at a sleepaway camp. You have to get creative with finding inexpensive supplies and materials as well as cool and fun activities to engage kids of all ages.
What can you do to get the creative juices flowing for your kids and/or teens?
Sign them up for a class! In Houston we have many places that you can sign up your kiddos for some artistic fun! Of course, I have art camps and classes available in the summer and during the year. You can do a camp or even have private lessons. You can host a birthday party or other reason to celebrate. Check out my website for the details.
When looking for creative outlets for kids and teens you want to stay local. Some of my favorite places to take classes are the following. My friend Marla does summer art classes as well. Marla’s Art Studio has a variety of classes your kids can take each summer. She is a talented art teacher and good friend of mine. Check her out at her website as well!
The Glassel school, a part of the Houston Museum of Fine Art has a vast array of art classes taught by many many talented teachers. They offer classes in art history, studio art and workshops for adults and kids.
Another benefit of finding creative outlets for kids and teens happens when they are taking a class with a group; it is a great way to break the ice and feel more comfortable with others. Group art classes are a great way to get inspiration. When I’m with a group of people who are as like minded as me, I get jazzed about my work. I get feedback from artists, and I get full on ready to create!
Organize some craft “parties”
Find an artist or friend who can teach a class or two for you! I host classes at peoples homes, church groups, Jewish student classes, or just plain old art classes in general.
Host a holiday glass ornament making class. Bring in your friends to make holiday ornaments for friends and loved ones. It can be for kids or adults.
But the point is to get together and try something! Being creative and having a chance to express oneself is highly necessary and important to developing one’s imagination and fostering self expression.
Possibly host your own “paint your own” canvas class.
There are companies out there that you can go to and select a canvas image to learn to paint as a group.
Try one of those locations or grab an artist and have them teach at your site! It’s something I like to do for all types of groups and all ages of artists!
Creative outlets for kids and teens can look different to different people. Something else to consider is the mental health aspect of being creative.
Sometimes being artistic is a stress reliever. Sometimes it’s a form of meditation. Whatever one’s artistic goals are, everyone can benefit from being creative.
Some of the most common signs of stress are:
- Blowing off their favorite activities
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Having a hard time concentrating or paying attention to important things
- Acting out or having emotional outbursts
Some other creative outlets for kids and teens. Art, which we’ve already discussed here.
Dancing. Virtual games that have dance competitions are fun and a great way to create engagement between everyone.
Taking dance classes are great too but you may get some hesitancy from your teens/preteens.
Whatever you do, movement releases important chemicals in your brian called “endorphins”.
They are the happy chemicals of your brain and help to reduce stress. It’s literally a “drug” your body produces that can make you happy when triggered.
Dance allows you to express yourself and share emotions together.
Music. We all respond to music. We find connection with others through the sharing of the music we like.
Through discussing what music brings us up, what gets us out of a bad mood or is the jam we need to motivate us out of a rut.
I have a playlist for when I’m sad and want to move through it. I have a playlist for when I’ve had a bad session. I turn it on in my car, roll down the windows and sing as loud as I want.
While I am driving home I use the time to let all my worries and frustrations leave me and by the time I get home I am relaxed and have a better mindset.
It’s so important for one to find ways to tap into our creative side. We should be encouraging one another to try new things, to seek ways to discover hidden artistic talents and to even let off some emotional steam.
Kristin Wilson, MA, LPC Vice President of Clinical Outreach at Newport Academy, says that “Once a teen feels connected with self – mind, body and spirit- they can easily connect with family and peers” So you can see where finding creative outlets for kids and teens and ourselves is critical. Finding a sense of freedom, a way to decompress, and increase our self awareness and confidence are all important for our development and being creative is one way to help nurture our imaginations and creativity together.
Happy Arting!
