we tend to expose our kids with activities that are fancy, complex, has a brand name tied to them, fast, jumpy, intensive, laud, over the top, expensive, etc.... thinking they may get bored otherwise.
While sometimes it is fun to go fancy, I think kids can truly enjoy and engage with activities that are simple... you will be surprised.
I was recently asked to come up with creative activities for a summer festival at a local preservation - “Ramat Hanadiv” (sort of my favorite close to home getaway). the first thing that came to mind was setting up easels in the beautiful garden, letting families experience nature drawing from observation, using watercolors and soft pencils.
the woman that commissioned me to do the job was a little skeptic. she wasn't sure how people will react to simply drawing outside.
Well....let me tell you the 25 easels were constantly occupied with an ongoing list of people waiting to draw. Some kids drew for as long as 2 hours. The kids were thrilled, and their parents were too.
The first 2 times I forgot to bring my camera. This week I finally did, but guess what, without the battery pack (just like me). Luckily, one of the dads (Yosi Ovadia) was taking pictures of his daughter Noa (whom you can see in the picture). She is only seven and a half. look at her drawing - she was amazing. and so are her dad’s photographs.
thanks Yosi for letting me use your pictures.
Check out his photography blog.
So don't run and buy an easel, that's not the point here. The point is....think simple - whether you're planning creative activities for a festival or an institution, or your classroom.
Enjoy the rest of your summer wherever you are
tali
While sometimes it is fun to go fancy, I think kids can truly enjoy and engage with activities that are simple... you will be surprised.
I was recently asked to come up with creative activities for a summer festival at a local preservation - “Ramat Hanadiv” (sort of my favorite close to home getaway). the first thing that came to mind was setting up easels in the beautiful garden, letting families experience nature drawing from observation, using watercolors and soft pencils.
the woman that commissioned me to do the job was a little skeptic. she wasn't sure how people will react to simply drawing outside.
Well....let me tell you the 25 easels were constantly occupied with an ongoing list of people waiting to draw. Some kids drew for as long as 2 hours. The kids were thrilled, and their parents were too.
The first 2 times I forgot to bring my camera. This week I finally did, but guess what, without the battery pack (just like me). Luckily, one of the dads (Yosi Ovadia) was taking pictures of his daughter Noa (whom you can see in the picture). She is only seven and a half. look at her drawing - she was amazing. and so are her dad’s photographs.
thanks Yosi for letting me use your pictures.
Check out his photography blog.
So don't run and buy an easel, that's not the point here. The point is....think simple - whether you're planning creative activities for a festival or an institution, or your classroom.
Enjoy the rest of your summer wherever you are
tali
