Art Every Day — Why We Stopped Treating Creativity as Optional

Before we started officially homeschooling, we did various hands-on projects to help Riy with early learning. These ranged from arts and crafts to science, but one thing stood out: art. We began to notice that Riy had a natural affinity for it, and she truly enjoyed creating. Recognizing this, I made sure to include art at least once a week when we began homeschooling, but I quickly learned this was not enough. So I slowly began increasing the number of days that we did art, following her lead and her excitement. At the beginning of 2026, we decided to make it a daily activity. Each day looks different; some days we complete an entire painting, while other days are filled with simple doodles and quiet creativity. 

Riy has a constant need to make and create. Whether it's artwork, building with Legos, doodling on a scrap of paper, or using random things around the house to bring an idea to life, she is always creating. It’s simply part of who she is. Over the years, I’ve noticed she doesn’t gravitate toward just one form—she loves anything that gives her the freedom to imagine and make something her own.

I love watching her in those moments because she becomes completely immersed. She gets so focused that everything else fades into the background. It’s as if it’s just her and whatever she’s creating, existing in a quiet little world of her own. She doesn’t like to be interrupted in those moments, and as a creative person myself, I understand that deeply—it’s where the magic happens.

Riy - 

While I was preparing this blog, I asked her why she loves to create art so much. She thought about it for quite a while but couldn’t quite find the words. Art, for her—and for me as well—is simply a part of who we are. It isn’t something that can easily be explained. It’s a feeling, a pull, a quiet knowing. It shows up in the way she notices small details, in the stories she creates without needing to speak them, and in the joy she finds in bringing something from her imagination into the real world.

Making art a daily part of our rhythm wasn’t about adding another subject to our homeschool—it was about honoring something that already existed within her. It gives her a space to explore, to express, and to simply be. Some days are messy, some are simple, and some are filled with big ideas, but each one matters. Art has become more than an activity in our home; it’s a steady thread woven through our days—a quiet, meaningful part of how she learns, grows, and understands the world around her. And the best part, it’s a lesson without feeling like one. It teaches us to focus, be patient, solve problems, and express ourselves. 

Daily habits take time to create, and I’m still working on having art as one of mine. Art for me is more of a hobby that I thoroughly enjoy, but since it’s something Riy loves, I’m working hard to make it a daily habit we can share. After all, I’ve had a love of art myself since I was a child. I took independent art classes in high school, where I was able to try all sorts of art styles. Riy is naturally following in my footsteps, and we both love learning new art styles. I loved learning to throw on the pottery wheel in school, and when Riy had the chance to try it, she fell in love as well. We also both love painting with acrylic paints, but we each have our own style. I paint abstract, while she’s still learning her style. She may not have a love for creating jewelry, but she loves helping me design new pieces. It’s a wonderful feeling when you can share what you love with your child. This is what Spark of Nature means in real life. It’s not just a spark you feel with nature; it’s the spark you feel in everyday life. 

Riy - The first time I tried the pottery wheel, it felt amazing. I was excited to make my first bowl, and I would do it again. 

But what does art time look like in our everyday life? Art time looks different every day. It’s different each day. Some days we spend a few minutes doodling, while other days we might spend an hour or more creating art. The only art curriculum we have used is from Harbor and Sprout. We used their Visual Arts unit, which taught the basics of art and art history. We don’t use any art curriculum (other than that one unit), but we do use lessons when we want to learn new techniques. We’re currently learning to paint with watercolors, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and Riy decided it would be fun to do. 

The best way to have art daily, whether you homeschool or not, is to create a small space for your child to do art. It could be as simple as a rolling cart filled with their favorite supplies and space at the dining room table to create, or you could give them a designated art studio in your home. Art time doesn’t have to be perfect. The only thing that matters is that you and your child are having fun. 

Riy - 

I want to end on a question for you all… Does your child have a creative passion that drives everything they do? Answer in the comments below! 

I hope to see you all soon!