Packed with fun, edifying, and joyful art experiences, Play, Make, Create is filled with simple, yet powerful, “art invitations” that are focused on the making and doing, not just the final projects. 

Founded in a process-based philosophy, this unique book includes over 40 activities set up as invitations—carefully designed prompts or provocations to play or make something. Author Meri Cherry has over 20 years of teaching experience, and her blog www.mericherry.com has set the standard for meaningful and enriching process art experiences that are both manageable for moms, and engaging and fun for kids.

Play, Make, Create begins with an in-depth guide for parents, teachers, and facilitators that shares all the details—how to set up materials in an inviting way, how to present the activity and talk to kids about art, and how to stock your cabinets with the right materials for ongoing creativity, plus best-practice tips for clean up, trouble shooting, and more.

Within the book, parents will find four types of creative invitations. Invitations to Explore are process-based, open-ended activities that are set up for ongoing play and discovery. Invitations to Create inspire children to make something. By exploring, playing, and discovering what the materials offer, children will create exciting projects such as salt paintings, a mini book, a shadow box, puppets, nature crafts, clay sculptures and more, each with completely individual results. Invitations to Play are sensory-based activities such as making doughs, slime, moving toys, and more. Lastly, there are Invitations to Collaborate. These are fun group projects, perfect for playdates, families, classrooms, and parties.  

As children explore the activities in Play, Make, Create, they are engaged in active, meaningful, and socially interactive learning. Children are encouraged to wonder, to experiment, and to use critical thinking—and most of all, enjoy the process. By following their own inclinations and making their own choices, children gain self-confidence and hone their problem solving skills.

GetPlay, Make, Create and give your children the gift of creativity. These activities wake up kids’ brains and get them busy doing things. The tactile, colorful, and engaging materials also offer a way to decompress and relax, as well as build fine motor and critical thinking skills. Giving your children these creative play opportunities is a way to say “I love you. I thought about you. You are important to me. Your ideas are important to me.”