Creativity
Move that table. It’s blocking the sun.
How can you have a sunny day at the beach, while confined to the Chicago suburbs over spring break?? If your kids have a spirit of adventure, an active imagination and a few choice props – anything is possible.
One of my favorite ‘staycation’ family memories happened years ago when our girls were in elementary school. It was spring break and we were excited to have a week without homework and time constraints, mom included. And at our house that meant lots more time for playful adventures.
One day, without realizing what I would inspire, I brought home three inexpensive pink and white striped tote bags, one for each daughter. Inside each bag was a pair of summer flip-flops. As I gave the girls their tote bags, I could see big sister Laurie’s wheels start turning. She quickly swept her younger sisters into her imagination and upstairs to change. Soon they reappeared holding beach towels, wearing swimsuits, sunglasses and their new flip-flops. The dining room chairs were quickly moved away from the table, the towels spread out underneath and a sunny afternoon beach adventure ensued.
How can you encourage creative at home adventures?
Inspire your Child: 12 Family Fun Activities To Do In March
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow”
- Boost your luck this spring by finding a Four Leaf Clover
- Make your OWN Shamrock Shake: Just combine mint chocolate chip ice cream and milk into a blender
- Go on a treasure hunt: Shake off those winter blues and get everyone outside for a spring treasure hunt.
- Celebrate the Irish with a St. Patrick’s Day Craft…like this Pot of Gold
- Think Spring by planting a little seed in an indoor pot: Herbs are great to keep indoor by a window and they can be enjoyed all summer long!
The Cactus: Show Us How You See the World
This is one of my all time favorite drawings. My son did it when he was in first grade and attended weekly Young Rembrandts classes. Like all parents, I am especially fond of anything and everything my own kids do, but this drawing represents so much more. 
First – he drew a collection of cacti! Not sure that would ever have happened without being in a drawing class.
Then – look at all those details! Check out that line work, the colors, and the multitude of careful little lines for the ‘pokey things’ on the cactus. You can tell by looking at it, he really enjoyed the line work and all the careful coloring.
Family Fun: 9 Activities for you and your kids
“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.”- John Boswell 
- Make a valentine for someone special
- Use heart candy to practice math
- Give someone a kiss (Hersheys)
- Visit your local library and check out some books
- Build a snow fort outside or build a fort inside
Preschool Drawing: Developing Social and Academic Skills
I love art and kids, so it makes a lot of sense that my business, Young Rembrandts, is all about teaching kids how to do art. In Young Rembrandts, we teach a lot of elementary drawing classes, but I have to say teaching preschool classes is my absolute favorite.
I love their enthusiasm and hunger to absorb the world around them – and their skill development is beyond remarkable.
Bringing art to children at an early age has tremendous impact, socially and academically. Look at these ladybug drawings and see what young kids can accomplish with some instruction and encouragement.
Family Fun: 11 January Activities for You and Your Kids
Little January tapped at my door today and said “put on your winter wraps and come outdoors to play.”- Winifred C. Marshall
January is a great month to start new and enjoy some winter fun! Enjoy these 11 activities I found that are fun for kids:
January Activities
- Drink Hot Chocolate: This delicious drink is easy to whip up, but make a ritual out of it and go slow to enjoy the process with you little ones. Adding whip cream to the top is my favorite part!
- Make a Puzzle: Dig out an old one or grab a new one from the store, this tactile activity is a great activity for group or single playtime.
- Examine Snowflakes: When it snows, chill some black construction paper in the freezer. Catch snowflakes on the paper and examine them with a magnifying glass!
Young Rembrandts Drawing: Dramatic Skill Building
When I first created Young Rembrandts, I was teaching a lot of preschool classes. 
We see huge academic and social benefits to getting young kids into art and drawing at an early age. But this story is about our elementary students. Elementary children are equally impacted by the arts. I have talked a lot about the relationship between art and learning styles but today I want to focus on artistic skill development.
