Making a Zen Doodle Collage + Journal Prompts for Relax
This week the journal prompt for Kids and their Grown Ups is: Relax
This prompt is written by Chelsea of Moments a Day, and the art was done by Alissa and her kids using Artterro Art journal Kits – the sponsor for this Falls Art Journal fun.
Zen Doodle Collage – a very relaxing way to art journal!
What you’ll need for this prompt:
- A sketchbook or paper for each participant
- Pretty papers such as those included in the Artterro Art Journal Kits
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Your choice of basic art supplies – pencils, crayons, watercolors, markers
- A sense of peace
Preparation:
Round up your art supplies and lay out a vinyl table cloth if desired. Have washcloths ready for clean up.
You may like to incorporate humming or singing into your art time, if it helps you all relax during the activity. Or put on some calming music you can enjoy while making your art.
To get the kids thinking about relaxing you could ask:
- What makes you feel relaxed? (You may need to explain that relaxed means peaceful or calm.)
- What sounds, smells, sights, touches, tastes are relaxing?
- What does relaxing feel like?
- How do mommy and daddy like to relax?
Zen Doodle Collage!
Note: If your kids would rather simply paint or draw and instead of follow a prompt, that's fine. Enjoy the time and work on your own journal. If you are connecting with your kids through creating art, you are meeting the objective of the activity.
- Cut or tears out a picture or shape from your collage paper and glue it wherever desired on the page.
- Demonstrate how you can then section off your paper from that collage piece and begin filling in the sections with doodles and drawings.
- You can always come back to your doodle and add more or change it.
- You may wish to add more paper shapes or color.
Relaxing about Art:
Encourage your children to enjoy the process instead of worrying about getting it “just right.” Show them how you can relax and enjoy the process of creating, too. It's not about getting it perfect, it's about enjoying the experience.
For you – write, paint, draw or collage about the questions below…or follow the kid prompts above!
Relax
by Chelsea Lee Smith
Watching my kids revel in simple play is always amazing to me. When we go to the park without any agenda in mind (or any other place to rush to) and spend time sliding, swinging, running around, having snacks, watching clouds, and drawing with sticks in the dirt, we can have the most amazingly satisfying afternoons, even though nothing spectacular or extraordinary has happened.
These afternoons are often a reminder to my busy self about the benefits of relaxing. I tend to go about my day in a “to do list” sort of way, instead of going with the flow and taking time to just “be.” My focus on getting things done often robs my days of the joy that can come from relaxation and letting go of the pressures I may be facing.
Taking walks, listening to music, watching a good movie, and taking time to call a friend just to chat are just a few more ways I like to relax.
- What helps you relax on a daily basis? How can you add these to your regular routine?
- What relaxing activities did you use to enjoy prior to having children? Do you still incorporate those into your weekly schedule?
- Do you regularly feel relaxed or is it an uncommon occurrence in your life? How do you feel about that?
- How are you modeling relaxation to your kids? Do you want them to follow your example when they grow up?
[social-bio]
Alissa Zorn is an author, and founder of the website Overthought This. She's a coach and cartoonist passionate about helping people overcome perfectionism and shame to build authentic, joyful lives. Alissa is certified through the International Coach Federation and got her Trauma-Informed Coaching certification from Moving the Human Spirit. She wrote Bounceback Parenting: A Field Guide for Creating Connection, Not Perfection, and is always following curiosity to find her next creative endeavor.