4 DOs and DON'Ts when your kids are doing art

4 DOs and DON'Ts When Your Kids Are Doing Art

During a recent Artist in Residence program as part of the SALA Festival (South Australian Living Artists), I set up on sunny King William Road in Adelaide. The kids arrived excited for their art classes, and as always, there was that one child who kept throwing their paper away to start again.

This got me thinking about some helpful tips for supporting children during art time—especially for parents and teachers wondering how to nurture creativity without pressure. So here they are—4 essential DOs and DON'Ts when kids are doing art, based on real experience and loads of lessons learned over the years.

Whether you’re homeschooling, teaching in a classroom, or just want to set your child up for success at the kitchen table, these are for you.

1. DO Keep It Simple

DON’T Start Long-Term Projects

Choose easy art activities for kids that can be completed in a single session. This builds confidence, especially for beginners. Younger kids thrive when they see a quick result, while older kids still benefit from achievable wins before tackling more complex work.

Long, multi-step projects often result in frustration or abandonment—save those for more experienced or older students.

Artventure offers quick, age-appropriate lessons that suit short creative sessions—perfect for primary-aged learners.
Try a free Artventure lesson

2. DO Model the Drawing Separately

DON’T Draw on Your Child’s Paper

When teaching children how to draw, resist the urge to correct or fix their work by drawing on it. Instead, demonstrate on your own piece of paper. Kids learn best when they try for themselves—even if their lines are wobbly or proportions off.

If they need help, point and explain what to try. By solving problems independently, kids gain confidence and improve over time.

Artventure’s step-by-step video lessons allow kids to pause, rewind, and watch examples while still doing the drawing themselves.

3. DO Praise the Process and Effort

DON’T Focus on Mistakes

Try phrases like:

• “I love how you chose that colour.”

• “The tall tree looks fantastic next to the tiny house.”

• “That’s such a fun idea.”

Avoid spotlighting the mistake. Instead, use it as a problem-solving opportunity:
“Great—let’s see how we can work with that.”

Art isn’t about perfection—it’s about expression. When kids overcome an error, celebrate their resilience:
“You did a great job pushing through. That’s what real artists do.”

Looking for confidence-building activities? Try our Portraiture for Kids blog or related lessons.

4. DO Display the Artwork

DON’T File It Away (Yet)

Kids feel validated and motivated when their artwork is proudly displayed on the wall. Like finishing a house, a child should have the chance to stand back and admire what they’ve built.

Let them enjoy the spotlight. You can always file the artwork away later—but first, hang it somewhere visible.

Try making an art wall at home or in the classroom where each child’s work gets a moment to shine.

Art Tip Summary: Support Over Supervision

The goal is not to manage the art experience but to empower the child to explore, create, and persist. Encourage self-expression, praise effort, and let go of perfectionism—for them and for you.

My Favourite Mantra:
“All artists make mistakes. The difference between a good artist and a bad artist is: one finds a way to work with it, the other wants to start again.”

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