Being a parent is tough. Ever had one of those days where no matter what you do, it feels like you're getting it wrong? You say the wrong thing, offer the wrong snack, pick the wrong outfit, or even mess up their hairstyle.
I had one of those days just this week, and it ended with me saying the wrong thing right before we left for school. Before I knew it my little girl was upset and crying and had clearly lost all trust in what I was saying and OMG I felt awful.
Parenting young children is exhausting and on occasion can even be deeply heartbreaking especially when you don't mean to get it so wrong. But what if I told you there’s a simple way to reconnect that doesn’t cost a thing—just a little time and some basic art supplies you probably already have at home?
Today I am exploring the theory behind therapeutic art techniques, why they’re invaluable at home and how you can incorporate them this holiday season to nurture your child’s emotional development.
“Art it seems is not just a medium for expression - it is a form of medicine for a fractured world.”
I really love this quote, as it draws attention to what art is and how it helps all of us.
Creative activities can foster resilience and teach children essential coping skills for life’s ups and downs. It is also a great way strengthen family connections for the times when things don’t go as planned.
So Why is Art Therapeutic?
Therapeutic art is grounded in the idea that creativity helps us process emotions, communicate nonverbally, and find calm in chaos. For children, who often lack the words to articulate complex feelings, art provides an outlet to explore their inner world safely.
When you introduce therapeutic art techniques at home, you create a nurturing environment where children feel seen, supported, and connected. This sense of safety and emotional validation is crucial for building resilience—a child’s ability to bounce back from challenges and adapt to adversity.
But surly I need to be a great artist or at least a good artist?
The short answer is Nope. You don’t have to be an artist at all but I would advise that you do need the ability to be able to enjoy arts and crafts with your children. If you are struggle with this please read this blog post, How To Do Arts And Craft With Young Children Without Loosing Your Mind! because lets face it we have all been there and still to this day the mention of glitter sends shivers down my spine.
If you are already at this point and enjoy doing art but what to be able to get the most out of your creative sessions then this blog is for you.
How Arts and Crafts Build Resilience in Children:
Creative Activities Encourage
Emotional Expression
Art allows children to express what they may struggle to say with words. By painting or drawing emotions, children learn to identify, process, and regulate feelings like sadness, anger, or frustration.Arts & Crafts Foster Problem-Solving Skills
Creative activities often involve trial and error—choosing colours, solving design challenges, or deciding how to piece materials together. These small problem-solving moments translate into broader life skills, teaching children how to approach challenges with curiosity and persistence.Creativity Builds Confidence
Completing a craft project, no matter how simple, gives children a sense of accomplishment. This boosts their self-esteem and reinforces the belief that they can tackle tasks and achieve goals.Creative Activities Strengthen Relationships
When parents and children create art together, it opens the door to quality bonding time. These shared experiences foster trust and connection, laying the foundation for open communication in the future.Creative Activities Promote Mindfulness and Stress Relief
The act of creating—whether it’s colouring, moulding clay, or painting—has a calming, meditative effect. Engaging in art helps children (and parents!) stay present, reducing anxiety and encouraging relaxation.
Simple Therapeutic Art Activities for the Holidays
The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down and reconnect with your child through creative play. Here are some easy techniques you can try:
1. "My Year in Colours" Collage
What You’ll Need: Old magazines, scissors, glue, and a large sheet of paper.
Activity: Encourage your child to create a collage representing their feelings and experiences over the past year. Use colours, images, and words to express highs, lows, and everything in between. Discuss the collage together to help your child process their emotions and feel supported.
2. Gratitude Ornaments
What You’ll Need: Clear plastic baubles, paper strips, markers, and small decorative items (like glitter or sequins).
Activity: Write down things your child is thankful for on paper strips, roll them up, and place them inside the ornament. Decorate together, then hang it on the tree as a reminder of positivity and mindfulness.
3. Create an "Emotion Wheel"
What You’ll Need: Paper plates, markers, and a split pin to create a spinning wheel.
Activity: Divide the plate into sections, each representing a different emotion (happy, sad, angry, excited). Ask your child to draw a face for each emotion. Use the wheel to talk about how they’re feeling and what might help when they’re experiencing big emotions.
4. Family Vision Board for the New Year
What You’ll Need: A poster board, magazines, scissors, and glue.
Activity: Work together to create a vision board of what your family wants to experience or achieve in the coming year. Focus on shared goals like spending more time together or learning something new. This activity encourages hope and teamwork.
Why Start Now?
The holiday season can be overwhelming for children, with disrupted routines, social events, and heightened emotions. Integrating therapeutic art into your time together not only brings joy but also equips your child with tools to navigate challenges calmly and confidently.
As a parent, these moments are an opportunity to model healthy emotional expression and build a deeper connection with your child. Beyond the crafts themselves, it’s the act of sitting together, listening, and creating that will leave a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
Therapeutic art isn’t about being perfect or artistic—it’s about the process. By carving out time for creative play, you’re giving your child a gift far more valuable than anything wrapped under the tree: the gift of connection, resilience, and emotional strength.
With just a few simple materials, you can set the stage for meaningful moments that will shape your child’s emotional well-being for years to come.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our Little Star Craft Boxes which will be available next year, for curated activities designed to support emotional resilience and mental wellness through the power of creativity.
Transform your child’s screen time into meaningful, hands-on play! Our monthly subscription box will deliver creative craft activities straight to your door, designed to help children explore their emotions, build confidence, and strengthen family bonds.
Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when subscriptions open!
Oh, and if you’re wondering about my little girl—don’t worry, it all turned out okay. I pulled out the big guns with some heartfelt apologies and explained that even mummies don’t always get it right. We had a little heart-to-heart about how messing up is part of life, but as long as we say sorry and try to make it better, it’s all good in the end. Then she looked me straight in the eye and said she wanted to use glitter. A tiny piece of my soul shriveled up, but I smiled and said, "Of course, sweetheart." Ah, parenting—you win some, you lose some... and sometimes you just have to let it go and sparkle.