{"id":7057721,"date":"2026-09-05T16:32:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T16:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/how-to-start-art-journal-prompts\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T16:32:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T16:32:34","slug":"how-to-start-art-journal-prompts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7057721","title":{"rendered":"How to Start + Art Journal Prompts"},"content":{"rendered":"


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We’re always looking for ways to help kids express themselves with creativity. We also want them to be able to express their feelings in a healthy way. That’s where art journaling comes in. Art journaling is a great way to explore creativity and communicate emotions<\/a>. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!<\/p>\n

I interviewed art therapist Caren Sacks, author of Draw and Discover, an Art-Making Journal for Kids<\/a><\/em>, to learn more about how creativity and self-expression fits as part of mental health. \u201cArt journaling offers us a space to express our creativity, it can be a healthy strategy and coping skill for managing stress and anxiety.\u201d says Sacks.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Alissa Zorn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We live in chaotic and uncertain times. According to the American Psychological Association we are seeing a rise<\/a> in mental health concerns in youth in the past few years. They include social isolation, anxiety, and depression.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are numerous ways to address these concerns.\u201d says Sacks, \u201cIf your child is struggling, speaking with their pediatrician or school psychologist can be helpful. If we think of an aspect of mental health as managing stress and anxiety, as self-awareness and self-expression, art journaling can be helpful. The process of art making can be calming and relaxing, it also allows for the expression of feelings, and experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Is Art Journaling?<\/h2>\n

There are no hard and fast rules with art journaling. Kids can use whatever materials they like, and there’s no need to worry about making things perfect. The goal is simply to give them creative outlet to express themselves and have fun.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs adults, we often have to undo our desire for perfectionism to try art making.\u201d Sacks explains, \u201cChildren create naturally. They express and share their creativity in so many ways, in their art making, their building, their storytelling, their play, their dancing and singing, all with the joy and playfulness of childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it’s drawing, painting, or collage- art journaling tugs on their imagination and taps into their inner artist. \u201cCreativity is about exploring and experimenting, it can be joyful, it offers opportunities for self-expression as well as for relaxation. It is an expression of our originality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why Is Art Journaling Important for Kids?<\/h2>\n

Art journaling helps kids to express themselves in a healthy way. Sacks says, \u201cArt can create order out of disorder. This is true for children as well as teens and adults of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen children make art, it gives them ways to express themselves and tell us what they are thinking, feeling, and experiencing, so we can support them and help them manage their varied feelings and experiences, and to seek professional help if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrawing provides children with the potential to tell stories, share their feelings, present their world views, find ways of coping, channel their energies, and tell us what\u2019s happening in their life. Any expression of art can be a way to obtain pleasure, release tension or express anger. When children share their drawings with a trusted adult it also makes space for communication, sharing, and receiving support.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: bbernard\/Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How Do I Get Started Art Journaling With My Child?<\/h2>\n

The best way to get started with art journaling is to jump in and start doing it! There’s no need to wait for the perfect moment or buy expensive supplies.\u00a0 Gather whatever you have on hand and start creating.<\/p>\n

\u201cKids can often create very meaningful thoughtful art as well as silly and funny drawings without any suggestions or prompts.\u201d says Sacks, \u201cWhen I do offer kids suggestions for art making, I always give options, I try not to be too prescriptive, in both Draw and Discover<\/em> and Vision and Voice<\/em> children and teens can choose any page that suits them at any time to respond to.<\/p>\n

If you are new to art making, experimenting with a variety of basic art materials can be helpful and enjoyable. Scribble drawings can also be freeing and playful.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you’d like some ideas, Caren’s site has art making videos<\/a> with topics and suggestions that can be helpful when getting started. One is about love, another about favorite things, another about feeling grounded and one is about gratitude.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you’re feeling crafty you can even make your own journals with paper you have on hand using our easy book making tutorial<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How We Grow Art Journal Prompt for Kids and Grown-Ups<\/h2>\n

An art journal prompt that I enjoyed doing with my kids showed all of our different hand sizes together.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Alissa Zorn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


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I used a page that I water color painted during a diferent art session which I talk about here: three ways to prepare an art journal page<\/a>. I drew over the watercolored page using my very fine point Staedtler Fineliner Pens<\/a> and slightly thicker Paper Mate Colored Pens.<\/a> The kids made their own versions however they liked.<\/p>\n

Art Journal Prompt and Activity<\/h2>\n

Kids love seeing their hand size in relation to yours. Take turns tracing your hand and your child’s hand on the paper. You can overlap handprints in an orderly fashion such as I have done here, or take a more wild all-over-the-page approach. The overlapping hands make for interesting shapes to color and write in.<\/p>\n

Prompts for Chatting With Kids About Growth:<\/h3>\n