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Journal Prompt - On Mondays, we begin again
It always feels like a fresh restart on Monday. The week has not revealed itself, the previous week is in the past and we are moving forward. What is your routine on Monday, is it going back to work or is it an early morning run? Do you drink more coffee on Mondays, because it's Monday and not the weekend? Do you make new promises to yourself on Mondays? Do you blast The Bangles, "Manic Monday" on your way to an appointment? On Monday, we begin the week begins again. Small steps moving us forward.

If your children already enjoy painting with watercolor, introduce these two simple techniques to change it up a little and give their work some texture. The plastic wrap creates an effect that looks like stones underwater or panes of glass. The salt creates puddles and splatters that are rimmed with concentrated color. For larger puddles, use a larger grain salt. Both of these techniques add an air of excitement and anticipation to the drying process.

Replace a boring pencil cup in the house with a fun art project! This whimsical, big-eyed owl is upcycled from a tin can, jar lids, and bottle caps. Pro tip: give your tin can two coats of paint and make sure you sand down any rough edges around the lip. We were so excited with the results, we plan to make more to organize our kids’ studio! Alternative to a pen holder, you could punch holes in the bottom of the can and use it as a planter. For more art activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom.

Journal Prompt - I have witnessed kindness ...
This week's prompt has me thinking about ways we show kindness during this COVID19 time period. I want to remember those kindnesses. It's an excellent reason to WRITE something down to remember later. Here are just two examples of the kindness that I have witnessed. Every Sunday one of our instructors sends out this message "It’s letter day Sunday! If you or someone you know could use a pick me up or encouragement just comment or PM me and I will send them some snail mail." Who doesn't love to receive snail mail?! Or how about when a friend or coworker brings you your favorite drink on a hot day for no other reason then the person wanted to make you smile!? Pure kindness comes in small gestures that can have big impacts, especially during difficult times. Check out more journal prompts on our creative classroom page.

Why purchase scratch art paper when you can just make it yourself? Kids of all ages like to have a hand in all of the steps of making. This activity offers kids the chance to create the medium AND use the medium to make a beautiful work of art. It’s akin to mixing your own paint or stretching your own canvas. And it couldn’t be easier! Pro tip: make your crayon marks with plenty of pressure and change your colors frequently for the rainbow effect. You can use a toothpick, a skewer, or even a push pin to do the scratching.

This is a fun activity for a single artist or for a group! Fold your paper into thirds and then cut the two outer folds into thirds again. One character is drawn in the central panel and then two other figures are drawn on the other side of the paper in each of the outer panels. Pro tip: to make the drawings line up, start with the central figure and fold the outer segments in as you draw the remaining figures. For more activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom.