Rachelle Doorley

I have a fun collection of design inspiration, open-ended art projects (my favorite), science news, and creativity prompts for you today. This three-part article shows you how to set up a mud kitchen, mud kitchen accessory ideas, and creative ways to shop for your mud kitchen. Flophouze in Round Top, Texas offers an opportunity to stay in their uber-stylish, super modern shipping container hotel. This is a clever idea for creating Mondrian-style circle art from old maps.

An Art Provocation, also called an Invitation to Create, is a thoughtfully set up prompt that provokes children to create, ask questions, test ideas, and think independently, all while exploring with art materials. The adult’s role in the art provocation to create is to set the materials up, ask provocative questions such as “I wonder what we can create with these supplies? For example, if a child demonstrated an interest in owls, you could set up a book about owls alongside drawing paper and colored pencils. The idea is simple: set up the materials, ask a few questions to get your child interested and engaged, and then invite him or her to create.

Sugary cereal rarely makes an appearance in our home, but this paper cereal animation is a catchy metaphor for filling up on artsy inspiration today. If you have paper plates and paint, try this super easy open-ended drawing and painting prompt at home or school: Painting and Drawing Paper Plate Craft (TinkerLab) • If you believe that movement and breathing breaks help students stay focused on learning, you’ll enjoy reading about some successful school-based mindfulness techniques here. Sprout creates modern kid-friendly furniture and they have a gorgeous adjustable wood kitchen helper that encourages independence and connection.

Make an easy God’s Eye Craft, also known as Ojo de Dios (oh-ho-day-DEE-ohs), with yarn, sticks, and scissors. God’s eyes, originally come from the Huichol people of Central Northwest Mexico, were created as protective and spiritual symbols that helped them connect more deeply to the natural world. If you’re good with small details, try your hand at these tiny matchstick sized God’s Eyes, perfect as pendants, charms, or ornaments. Pink Stripey Socks Make a large God’s Eye with four walking stick sized branches and long scraps of fabric.