Play, Make, Create, A Process-Art Handbook: With over 40 Art Invitations for Kids * Creative Activities and Projects that Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Connection

I’m a mom of three young children and I’m so completely thrilled with this book! I love Meri Cherry’s blog and this is just as wonderful. I love how she creates projects where kids can be free to enjoy the process of creating real art. And this book is filled with awesome projects I am excited to do with my kids. It has a few things I saw on her blog plus so much more. Having so many great ideas in one book helps me plan which awesome projects to do next, like this book can just be my game plan, instead of sorting through Pinterest endlessly.On a more practical note, I really like how she suggests you start with whatever project you want (I have another process art book where the author created the book for you to start in the beginning and I prefer how she set this up for freedom of choice. I also like how she explains each project just enough, and doesn’t write huge essays to read. She just gives reasonably brief directions and a quick helpful tip for each project (the tips are great- about using materials and how to talk to kids about art). She tells her favorite art supplies and gives ideas for more affordable and less messy options whenever possible.The book seems to have four types of projects. One section is sensory play recipes/ideas (slime, playdough, etc). The rest of the book is art-focused with projects to explore materials (I can’t wait to try her idea for cotton swab “oil paintings!”), assignments with a small amount of direction (like creating stickers and self-portraits). Then the final section has bigger projects which are truly awesome (I mean, those unicorns- wow!).Overall I am so thrilled that I purchased this book. I think I’m going to write down a few more sensory play recipes in that section so I have everything in one place. Meri Cherry is such an inspiration and I am so glad I found her blog and now her amazing book!

I started following Meri Cherry on social media and longed to live close to her studio where the most amazing magic/art happens. But alas, living on the east coast meant I had to watch from afar... until this wonderful book was published. I ordered this months ago and have had the BEST time going through it with my kids (ages 6 and 3). The projects are beautifully photographed, just begging you to try them. The instructions are not only easy to follow but include the most helpful tips for success and suggestions for truly connecting with your children. My kids have gone through and selected things they want to try and have been so proud of their creations. These also make super fun play date activities - the ice sculpture project kept a group of kids of various ages entertained for almost an hour and with minimal cost! I always want to do arts and crafts with the kids but just didn’t have specific ideas in mind. The invitations in this book have brought us so much joy and are things I never would have come up with on my own. Just so thankful to have discovered this book and all of the treasures within!

I own an art studio in North Carolina. My artists love coming up with ideas and creating, but NOTHING lights them up more than going through this beautiful book and picking out one of Meri Cherry’s projects, especially after looking at all of the cheerful, realistic pictures! These are projects that kids of ANY ages can do and love. And her writing is genius! In her description of her Playdoh recipe, she says (something along the lines of) “You’ll get to a point where you think you’ve messed it up. But keep going! You haven’t!” It’s easy to read and understand. Love this book so much!!!

I discovered Meri Cherry when my kids’ elementary school closed and our whole city went into lockdown due to Covid in March 2020. I loved the projects she did with her own daughters, which she was sharing on Instagram. When I saw she had published this book, I immediately purchased it. Both of my kids (a 9-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl) have found projects they love. They both like to make the artist trading cards, and loved the sticky party wall and “science experiments”. I would disagree with the idea that the book is for girls. I mostly looked through the book and picked projects I thought would interest my kids. I can see how a boy might flip through it and not relate - Meri does the projects with her two girls, and their art is depicted. The color palates the girls use tend to be more pinks and pastels, but the projects themselves don’t necessarily lean toward a specific gender in their appeal. The concept is that you set up the projects and then invite kids to come create something using the materials. If you use color palates and materials geared toward your child’s taste, I think any kid would enjoy it. I have given this book as a gift a few times now. For those of us who want to limit screen time and encourage imagination, this book it fantastic. I love that Meri includes a list of staple art items; the list is great, and most items are not very expensive or hard to find. We highly recommend this book as a creative resource.

So many inspiring invitations to create! This book is a staple in our art classroom. User friendly for parents, homeschool families, Art educators, & Art Studio owners!

Too often, when we want to engage a child with art, we stress the final outcome. Children learn to judge themselves, and others! Children often become discouraged, rather than engaged, often leading to a lifetime of avoiding art making. Emphasizing process, fun, and creativity, leaves everyone feeling great about art. This book clearly lays out multiple “projects”, “experiences” and all kinds of art processes. I appreciate how she describes setting up the experience. Great, great resource!