School’s back, and with it comes all the big feelings of new routines, new friends, and busy days. The other day I was chatting with a friend, mum of two (6 and 8), and she mentioned how easy the summer holidays were. How relaxed. Sure, everyone (including mum and dad) feels more than ready for school to start again… but not so ready for those chaotic after-school transitions.
Have you ever asked, “How was your day?” and got a mumbled “good” (or just a shrug)? After a long school day, children often need time to unwind before they can open up. (And snacks. Always have snacks).
Instead of jumping straight into questions (which is sooo easy to do, I mean, we want to show our interest, right?), try this simple play-first approach:
- Prep a no-pressure invitation to create like playdough, doodling, or colouring.
- Let them run, climb, or jump outside for 10 minutes before heading home.
- Offer quiet time. Some tamariki decompress best with a book, audiobook or music.
Why it works: Play helps children process their experiences without words first. Once they’ve settled and calmed their nervous system, they’re often more ready to share, and more ready to receive new information (such as plans for the afternoon/evening or instructions like putting their bag away). We see this in every After-School Art Lab session: tamariki walk in bubbly, full of that heightened school energy, and leave feeling calmer, more connected, and content.
Need some specific (but simple) ideas for invitations to create? Here are three low-prep ideas:
✨ Doodle Time – Cover the table with a large sheet of paper and leave out a handful of markers or oil pastels. No rules, just doodle! (Pro tip: Use a black sharpie to pre-draw big picture frames, love hearts or clouds for your young creatives to fill)
🧊 Ice Painting – Freeze water mixed with food colouring or paint in an ice tray (optional: add popsicle sticks). Let your tamariki swirl and paint as it melts. Thicker paper is recommended (wallpaper off cuts are a sturdy and cheap alternative to watercolour paper).
🖍️ Crayon Resist Art – Draw symbols and images with white crayon, then let your children paint over them with watercolours to reveal the hidden messages! Don’t have watercolours? Water down poster paint or dilute food colouring as an alternative.
Want more of this? Our process-art classes offer the same stress-free creative fun—without the mess at home! Check out our upcoming classes here.
Imagine Play Inspire 