“Messy Tables, Happy Minds: How to Nurture Creativity at Home”

A Moment That Stayed With Me

A few weeks ago, I hosted a clay workshop for kids and adults to make clay idols. As the children were leaving, I asked a little girl if she enjoyed herself. With a bright smile, she replied, “I can’t wait for the next one.” That moment warmed my heart.

For two full hours, everyone was engaged. No one reached for their phones except to take a few pictures. It was a reminder of how deeply children can connect with creativity when given the chance.

Why Do Screens Take Over So Easily?

In my parenting workshops, I often hear the same concern: “How do I help my child stay away from screens?”

It is a real challenge. Screen exposure often begins very early. Parents hand a phone to an infant during mealtime or gatherings just to keep them settled. Over time, the demand for more screen time grows and becomes hard to manage.

One parent once asked me if it was effective to give children a fixed amount of daily screen time, say 30 or 60 minutes. When I asked how it was working in their home, they admitted it was not. In fact, they already knew the answer in their heart.

Children Are Naturally Creative

Here is what I have noticed: children are eager to explore, to create, and to imagine. When I travel and know there will be a child where I am staying, I carry a small art kit. Nothing messy, something simple and easy to clean up. When I get free time after teaching, I sit with the child to show them how to use it. Almost always, they settle in and spend hours happily creating.

This tells us something important. Children do not lack creativity. What they need is space, freedom, and sometimes a little encouragement.

Common Roadblocks Parents Face

“My child wants me to sit with them, but I have work to do.” This is a very real challenge. If we really look into this, it is not the workload that holds us back, but the noise in our own minds. That noise can make us feel restless or impatient about having to sit with the child. Yet, when we pause and set that chatter aside, even for just five minutes, something beautiful happens. Our presence is enough. Often, the child will then continue on their own with ease.

“My child has no patience.” Creativity needs both freedom and structure. Too many instructions or rules of “right” and “wrong” can quickly take the joy away. A gentle structure, communicated with openness, allows their imagination to flourish.

“It gets too messy-children don't clean up.” This comes up often. Many parents want their children to clean up immediately after playing. One mother once shared that her daughter refused to touch toys or Legos, simply because she did not want the hassle of cleaning up afterward. And of course, the easier choice then becomes watching a screen. No cleanup is required.

When I ran an art school, my franchisor once asked if I had a place at home where I could leave things messy. I said no, and she replied, “Then forget about doing art.” She was right. Each time I cleared my art table, I would lose the flow and not return to it for months, sometimes years. Creativity and mess often go hand in hand. Too much order can suffocate the creative spirit.

For children, play and art are not just activities. It is about their imagination. When they are building or drawing, there is a story unfolding in their mind. If they are forced to stop and clean up every time, that flow is broken. What might look meaningless to us is often part of a larger story still in progress, one they may want to continue the next day.

This does not mean encouraging a messy home 😀. 

A simple and practical solution is to create a small space where projects can remain undisturbed for a few days or even a week. That little allowance can make a big difference in nurturing creativity.

Where Do We Place Our Priorities?

Parents are incredibly resourceful and creative when it comes to supporting their children. This is not an issue of not knowing what to do. It is about making it a priority. Once creativity becomes important in the family, the solutions appear naturally.

Next time your child asks for screen time, try offering a creative alternative instead. Notice how they respond, and more importantly, how it feels for you to share that moment with them.

I would also love to hear what creative activities light up your child. Share your ideas—I know other parents will find them inspiring too.