Celebrate International Creativity Month with Fun Family Craft Projects using easy to use clip art
Get ready to unleash your creative side! January 1 marks the beginning of **International Creativity Month**, a month-long celebration established in 2002 by creativity coach and author, Dr. Eric Maisel. Its mission? To encourage individuals to embrace their inner creativity, explore new forms of self-expression, and—most importantly—have fun! This January, why not celebrate with your family by diving into some hands-on, imaginative craft projects that spark creativity and bring everyone closer together?
Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, these projects offer a great way to bond, learn new skills, and express yourselves in unique ways. Let’s explore some fun and easy family crafts that are perfect for celebrating **International Creativity Month**!
### 1. **DIY Vision Boards: Dream It, Create It**
A great way to kick off the month and tap into the creative energy of the New Year is by making **vision boards**. These are personal collages that help visualize your dreams, goals, and aspirations for the upcoming year. It’s a fun way to involve everyone in the family, from kids to grandparents!
**Materials Needed:**
-any clip art kit
- Old magazines, newspapers, or printed images
- Poster boards or large sheets of paper
- Glue, scissors, and markers
- Stickers, embellishments, or ribbons (optional)
**How to Do It:**
Each family member can cut out images, quotes, or words that inspire them—whether that’s travel destinations, sports goals, or creative ambitions. After gathering all your materials, arrange the cutouts on the board and glue them down. Encourage everyone to decorate their vision board with doodles, fun designs, or drawings that represent their personal creative journey.
This activity not only sparks creativity but also gets everyone reflecting on their dreams for the year ahead, all while fostering a sense of unity as you share your hopes and ideas.
### 2. **Family Paint Night: Abstract Art for All Ages**
Nothing unleashes creativity quite like painting, and family paint nights are a fantastic way to bring out everyone’s artistic side. No need for a specific painting style—just dive into abstract art, splattering, blending, and experimenting with colors and textures!
**Materials Needed:**
-clip art packs
- Canvas, watercolor paper, or cardboard
- Paints (acrylic, watercolor, or even tempera)
- Brushes, sponges, or palette knives
- Aprons or old shirts to protect clothing
**How to Do It:**
Set up an area with all your materials and let everyone paint freely! The idea is to encourage fun and exploration rather than perfection. For younger children, provide easy tools like sponges or large brushes for broad strokes, while older kids and adults can experiment with finer details.
Try creating a **family mural** where each person contributes a section, or go abstract with layers of colors and shapes. No rules, no boundaries—just pure creative expression. At the end of the evening, you’ll have a collection of colorful canvases or a large collaborative family masterpiece!
### 3. **DIY Craft Stick Sculptures: Build the Impossible**
If you’re looking for a craft project that’s both fun and functional, **craft stick sculptures** are a fantastic choice! This hands-on activity encourages spatial thinking and problem-solving while also tapping into each family member’s creativity.
**Materials Needed:**
- Craft sticks (or popsicle sticks)
- Glue (hot glue gun works best)
- Paint, markers, or stickers for decoration
- Googly eyes, buttons, beads, and fabric scraps for embellishments
**How to Do It:**
Challenge your family to build sculptures using just craft sticks! You can create anything from animals to abstract shapes or even mini furniture or houses. Older kids can try their hand at more intricate designs, while younger ones can create simple structures. After your sculptures are complete, decorate them with paint, markers, or embellishments to give them personality.
This is a wonderful activity for boosting fine motor skills, as well as encouraging creative thinking. Plus, at the end of the craft session, you’ll have a collection of quirky, one-of-a-kind sculptures to display!
### 4. **Upcycled Art: Turning Trash into Treasure**
What better way to celebrate creativity than by turning everyday household items into art? Upcycling old objects and materials is not only good for the environment but also a fantastic way to spark creativity by giving new life to things that might otherwise be thrown away.
**Materials Needed:**
- Old magazines, cardboard, bottle caps, cereal boxes, plastic bottles, etc.
- Glue, scissors, and markers
- Craft supplies like buttons, fabric, or felt (optional)
**How to Do It:**
Raid your recycling bin for materials that can be turned into something fun and creative. You could create sculptures out of bottle caps, cardboard animals, or even upcycled jewelry from cereal boxes and buttons. For younger children, you can make **collage animals** or create a **family tree** using old magazine clippings.
The beauty of upcycled art is that the possibilities are endless! It’s also a great way to teach kids about sustainability while nurturing their creative instincts.
### 5. **Nature Art: Let the Outdoors Inspire You**
Nature is a boundless source of inspiration for creativity, and using natural materials for crafting can be an incredible way to connect with the world around you. Whether you’re out in the backyard or on a nature walk, there are endless ways to collect materials for unique, nature-inspired crafts.
**Materials Needed:**
- Leaves, twigs, pinecones, flowers, and rocks
- Glue, scissors, and markers
- Paper, cardboard, or canvas for base
- Optional: Paint, ribbons, or beads
**How to Do It:**
Take a family walk outdoors and collect leaves, twigs, flowers, or rocks. Once you return, use these items to create textured art! Press flowers and leaves onto paper, arrange twigs to form a tree or frame, or paint rocks to look like animals or geometric shapes.
This activity not only fosters creativity but also promotes an appreciation for nature, making it a wonderful way to spend quality time outdoors with your family while making art.
### 6. **Create Your Own Storybooks: Craft Your Family’s Adventures**
What better way to celebrate creativity than by writing and illustrating your own story? This craft activity allows each family member to participate in crafting a one-of-a-kind family storybook.
**Materials Needed:**
- Blank books or construction paper for creating a book
- Markers, crayons, and colored pencils
- Stickers or embellishments (optional)
- Glue and scissors for adding images
**How to Do It:**
Start by brainstorming a fun, imaginative story that your family can create together. Each person can take on a different part of the book: one can write the story, while others draw illustrations, design the cover, or even make a pop-up element for fun. The beauty of this craft is that it’s highly collaborative and lets everyone contribute to the storyline and art.
Once your storybook is complete, you’ll have a unique keepsake to treasure for years to come, and it’s a perfect way to celebrate both storytelling and visual creativity.
### 7. **Clay Creations: Sculpt and Mold Your Ideas**
Working with clay or playdough is an excellent way to explore 3D creativity. Whether you're molding small animals, funky creatures, or abstract shapes, clay crafts allow you to engage all your senses and create tactile, fun sculptures.
**Materials Needed:**
- Air-dry clay, modeling clay, or playdough
- Sculpting tools (optional, but you can use household items like forks or pencils)
- Paint or markers for decorating
**How to Do It:**
Mold your clay into whatever inspires you! Kids can make simple shapes or animals, while older family members can attempt more intricate sculptures or even abstract art. Once dry, paint your creations to bring them to life.
Clay crafting is fantastic for building fine motor skills, patience, and creative thinking, and it’s an engaging activity for all ages.
### Final Thoughts: Creativity Knows No Age Limits
**International Creativity Month** is the perfect time to bond with your family, unleash your imagination, and explore new forms of self-expression through crafting. Whether you’re painting a mural, upcycling old materials, or sculpting with clay, each project is an opportunity to not only create something beautiful but also to nurture the unique creative spirit within each family member.
So, gather your supplies, get messy, and let your family’s creativity shine this January. After all, creativity isn’t just for the artists—it’s for everyone!