Explore “The Atelier of Wonder” at Home: Create a Family Mural

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, our Creatively Shine curriculum theme, The Atelier of Wonder: Adventures in Play, invites children to explore their ideas through collaboration, creativity, and shared experiences. This month, children learn that their thinking matters, and that when they create alongside others, ideas can grow, shift, and transform in exciting ways.

To bring this spirit of collaboration home, we’re sharing a simple, open-ended at-home activity your family can enjoy together: A Collaborative Mural.

This process-focused art experience encourages children to express ideas visually, respond to one another’s work, and see how individual contributions can come together to create something larger.

What You’ll Need:

• Large sheet of paper, poster board, or butcher paper
• Tape (to secure paper to a wall or table)
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Paint and brushes (optional)
• Household texture tools (sponges, forks, cotton balls, cardboard edges, leaves, etc.)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Set the Stage

Tape the large paper to a wall, floor, or table where your child can move freely around it. Let them know this is a shared artwork, one that can change, grow, and evolve over time.

Ask a simple invitation question like:

• What should we explore together today?

Their answer might be an idea, a feeling, or even something abstract. All are welcome.

2. Begin Creating

Invite your child to start adding marks, shapes, or colors anywhere on the mural. Avoid directing what they “should” draw. Instead, observe and comment on what you notice:

• I see lots of swirling lines here.

• You chose very bold colors in this spot.

If you’re creating together, add your own marks in response to theirs to model collaboration. If you have other kiddos that are excited about the project, this is a good opportunity to practice sharing creative space together.

3. Introduce New Tools and Ideas

Midway through the process, offer new materials or tools. A sponge might create soft textures, while cardboard edges can make strong lines. Ask:

• What happens if we try this?

• How does this change our picture?

This encourages experimentation and flexible thinking. Open questions help grow open minds!

4. Pause, Talk, and Continue

Take a short break to look at the mural together. Ask reflective questions like:

• What do you notice now?

• Is there anything you want to add or change?

Then invite your child to continue building on the shared artwork, responding to what’s already there.

5. Celebrate the Process

When the mural feels complete, or when your child is ready to stop, take a moment to celebrate the experience rather than the final product. You might say:

• I loved watching how your ideas changed as we worked together.

• This shows so many different ideas all in one place.

The Learning Behind the Play

This activity supports creativity, communication, and collaboration while honoring children’s ideas and decision-making. As children respond to materials, tools, and one another’s work, they practice flexibility, problem-solving, and reflection, all key elements of project-based learning.

Through The Atelier of Wonder: Adventures in Play, children learn that creativity isn’t about a perfect result. It’s about exploration, expression, and shared discovery. With a large sheet of paper and a willingness to wonder together, meaningful learning can unfold right at home.

This emphasis on play and creativity are core tenants of our Reggio Emilia Philosophy. If you’d like to take it a step further, craft up a fun border (the more pom poms and sparkles, the better!) for your child’s artwork and proudly display the mura at your child’s eye level in a shared family space. Core memory unlocked!