Growing up, I loved drawing, sewing and making crafts. One of my favourite memories is making a duck marionette with my dad. I was so proud of the way I could walk it across the floor. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that I don’t have as much time to dedicate to crafting as a grown-up as I thought I would when I was seven, but I still try to encourage my children to make time for creative endeavours.
It’s so important for them to have some sort of creative outlet because it can help them improve their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence. If you’re like me and too tired to think of new and exciting things for them to try, here are a few books with some ideas, and a couple that will inspire their imaginations even if there are no crafts involved.
The first book is aptly named What’s the Point of Art? by DK (2024). This non-fiction book goes over the history of art from cave drawings all the way up to contemporary art. It discusses why art is important and how it contributes to self-expression and societal values. Your child doesn’t need to read the book chronologically. If there is a certain era or art style that they are interested in, they can flip to that section. Then, once they’ve learned about different styles, including symbolism and finding new perspectives, they can check out the “try it out” tips to learn how to create automatic drawing, recycled art and more. For ages 9 to 12.
While I enjoy art, I know my two oldest sons prefer a more mechanical outlet. If your children also prefer tools to triptych, they may enjoy reading Birth of the Bicycle by Sarah Nelson and illustrated by Iacopo Bruno (Candlewick, 2024). As the name suggests, this story covers the invention of the bicycle and how it went from the velocipede to the structure we know today. The illustrations are incredibly impressive considering the detail that Bruno put into each of the bicycle styles. For ages 6 to 9.
Another slightly different way of using creativity shows up in Money Matters: A Guide to Saving, Spending and Everything in Between by Alexa von Tobel and illustrated by Morgan Goble (Rebel Girls, 2024). This book, which covers responsible spending, stocks and saving, also discusses how to earn money. Specifically, it has an entire chapter about how to start a business. And, as the book points out “There’s no cookie-cutter entrepreneur,” so this is a very creative (and potentially lucrative) endeavour for your children to try out. For ages 8 to 12.
Now that you and your children have some ideas for potential creative outlets, they might be wondering where different ideas for crafts or inventions come from. These next two stories can help with that. The first one is There are No Dragons in This Book by Donna Lambo-Weidner and illustrated by Carla Haslbauer (NorthSouth Books, 2023). This interactive story will help our children find magic and see hints of dragons everywhere they go from the mess strewn across the living room floor to the sparks crackling in the fireplace. You never know where you might find a dragon. For ages 4 to 8.
The second one is If I Couldn’t Be Anne by Kallie George and illustrated by Geneviève Godbout (Tundra, 2020). Growing up, I loved Anne of Green Gables. It was a highlight of my childhood when we ended up in PEI and got to visit Lucy M. Montgomery’s home and try raspberry cordial. I’m so glad that Montgomery’s story is inspiring new ones, because I get to enjoy it all over again. And if there is one thing Anne can teach all of us, it’s how to dream. This story explores all the things Anne imagines she could be if she couldn’t be Anne with an e. For ages 4 to 7.
I’m not sure where your children’s imaginations will take them this fall, but I hope that with some help from these books, they will be able to learn, adapt to new situations and enjoy the challenges living creatively brings.