Family Art Night

I recently read this article in Sunset about a family that goes almost completely tech free. Don't get me wrong, they're not crazy, they have laptops and iphones, they just rarely use them. It made reconsider our own use of gadgets. True, we're often using our tablets and phones for reading books, watching the news or listening to music, but I don't think we deserve to use technology more simply because we're doing "brainy" things. Sometimes we need to go unplugged.

So I decided to lay off the technology a bit, (that's right I'm now blogging solely using brain waves). But honestly, we could use a break from our gadgets and that's where Family Art Night comes in. Once a week, I'm going to challenge myself and my family to have an evening of artistic expression together. This wont be too hard for my husband, as he's a musician, but I hope he'll try a few different mediums as well, like painting, poetry or drawing. As for Max, when is a toddler not a budding artist? His art night could consist of play dough sculpting, finger painting, drawing and the list goes on.

While I think Family Art Night should be mostly unstructured to give the individual an opportunity to be creative, I do have a few ground rules:

1. Plan your art night together - a night or two before your art night, ask your family what they might like to do. This will help get their creative juices flowing and help you prepare any necessary materials. If you're lacking in inspiration, you could always go to Pinterest or crafty mom blogs (eh hem), but I really suggest you go at it without any outside influences at least once!

2. The family must create in the same room - this is meant to create a feeling of togetherness while inspiring and collaborating with one another.

3. Snacks should be provided - no one works well on an empty stomach, so either plan your art night after a meal or provide a few finger foods and drinks. Let your little one help prepare them, this will involve them in the planning process and they'll be excited, if they weren't already, for their evening.

4. Work for at least 30 minutes - this means you fidgety parents. A child engrossed in their craft can go on for quite some time, an adult who's busy thinking about doing the dishes, writing an email or finishing work, has about a 2 minute attention span. Do yourself a favor, take a break from life and just enjoy. (Likewise if your child is not one to sit still for 30 min., start with 15 or 10 min., maybe even collaborate on a project to increase the time).

5. Go unplugged - no phones, no tablets, no lap tops, no tv, turn it all off and forget about it.