Why Art Matters for Kids: Creativity, Confidence and the Joy of Entering the Show
Some of my favourite artworks will never hang in a gallery. They are drawn at the kitchen table, painted in a hurry before dinner, or made with whatever was within reach. I have spent my working life with a paintbrush in my hand, but watching my children create has taught me more about why art matters than any course ever did.
Let a child's creativity shine. Give them the chance to tap into their creativity and self-expression before it is all taught out of them and they are drawing perfect square-and-triangle houses.
Art gives children a language before they have the words
Children often feel far more than they can explain. A drawing lets a worry, a joke, a favourite animal or a big day at school land on paper in a way that talking sometimes cannot. The colours they choose, the things they leave out and the details they care about all tell a story.
I try not to over-analyse what they make. Instead of asking what it is, I ask them to tell me about it. That small change opens up conversations and tells them that what they made is worth talking about.
Along the way they practise skills that reach well beyond the page: making decisions, being patient, solving problems when something does not go to plan, and finishing what they started. What happens if I mix these two colours? How do I fix this mistake? Those are questions that matter in every part of life.
The process matters more than the finished piece
Keep materials easy to reach, so creating can start the moment inspiration strikes.
Let it be messy. Some of the best ideas come from experiments that go slightly wrong.
Praise the effort and the ideas, not just whether it looks realistic.
Resist the urge to fix or finish their work for them.
At our place, art happens on the dining room floor. Out come the drop sheets, and then the paints, foils and markers, all spread out so there is room to experiment.
A gallery of our favourites
Here is a selection of the pieces I am proudest of, in no particular order.
Every one of these began with a blank page and a child with an idea.
Why we love entering art competitions
Competitions give children something to aim for. There is a closing date, a decision to make about which piece to enter, and the thrill of seeing their work displayed beside other people's. Win or not, it teaches them to be proud of what they have made and to appreciate the work of others.
The Orange Blossom Festival
The Orange Blossom Festival is a much-loved part of life in The Hills Shire. Its name comes from the area's citrus-growing past, when the Hills was full of orange orchards, and it now runs through September with events across the community. Art is a big part of it. The Castle Hill Art Society runs the Annual Art Awards and exhibition, which has been going for decades, and there are community art exhibitions in local venues such as the Dural Memorial Hall. The awards also showcase work by younger members of the community.
What I love most about it is that it feels like a neighbourhood celebration. Children's work hangs alongside everyone else's, and families wander through together.
It started because I was entering competitions myself and I dragged the kids along. It just made sense from the beginning. When my eldest, now 18, was five, we began entering together and turned it into a family affair, with a shared goal for all of us, for both the Orange Blossom Festival and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show
The Sydney Royal Arts & Crafts Competition is one of the Show's longest-running traditions. The Arts & Crafts Pavilion has been part of the Easter Show since 1869, and today the competition covers roughly 5,000 exhibits across around 400 categories. There is a dedicated Under 20s section, and young exhibitors are also welcome to enter the open classes if they wish.
Seeing your own work on display in a pavilion that thousands of people walk through is something you do not forget, at any age. I have been fortunate to win First Place at the Show myself, and it means even more now that my children are part of it.
We enter the Show the same way, as a family, with everyone making something and everyone showing up. Seeing each piece hung on the wall is a proud moment for all of us.
Winning is not the point
Ribbons are lovely, but they are not why we enter. I talk to my children beforehand about the fact that the judges only see one piece on one day, and that a result says nothing about how clever or creative they are. The real prize is the courage to put your work out there.
Sometimes you win or receive an acknowledgement, and sometimes you do not. The fun part is the process and showing up.
How to encourage creativity at home
Set aside a regular time and place for making things.
Offer a variety of materials, from pencils and paint to clay, paper and fabric.
Take them to galleries, shows and local exhibitions, and talk about what you see.
Display their work at home so they can see it is valued.
Let boredom happen. It is often where the best ideas start.
Make your own art alongside them. Children copy what we do, not what we say.
Give their art a place on the wall
One of the nicest ways to show a child their art matters is to frame it. A favourite piece in a simple frame with a mount looks wonderful, and our guide to choosing a frame has tips that work for children's art too. When you hang it, our guide to how to hang art will help you get the height right, and at a child's eye level it is even better.
It is also worth photographing or scanning every piece before it goes into a folder or on the wall, so you have a record of how their style grows.
Thinking of entering a competition?
Read the schedule carefully. Entry dates, age rules and presentation requirements change from year to year. For the Easter Show, age is worked out as at the first day of the Show.
Let your child choose which piece to enter. It should be one they are proud of.
Check how the work needs to be presented, labelled or framed.
Keep a photo of the piece before you hand it in.
Talk about results beforehand, and celebrate the entry itself.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can children start entering art competitions?
It varies. Both the Orange Blossom Festival and the Sydney Royal Easter Show include sections for younger entrants, but the rules and age groups change, so check the current schedule or entry details for the year.
Should I help my child with their entry?
Help with the practical side, such as entry forms, labelling and delivery. Most competitions expect the artwork itself to be the child's own work, so let them take the lead and check the rules.
What if my child does not win?
Talk about how proud you are of the effort and the courage to enter, and remind them that results reflect one judge on one day. Keep their art on display regardless.
How can I encourage a child who says they cannot draw?
Take the pressure off. Focus on enjoying the process, try different materials, and ask them to tell you about what they have made rather than judging how it looks.
Looking for gift ideas for a creative, horse-loving child? Read our guide to gift ideas for horse-mad kids or browse the babies and children collection.
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