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5 Easy Art Games to Play at the Dinner Table

9/16/2025

Family dinners are about more than food—they’re a chance to connect, laugh, and make memories. And what better way to do that than with a little creativity? Here are five quick art games you can play at the table with nothing more than paper and pencils (or crayons, markers, whatever you have handy).

These games take just a few minutes each and work with kids of all ages. They’re silly, light-hearted, and guaranteed to bring out giggles.

1. The 3-Minute Monster

Everyone gets a scrap of paper.
Set a timer for three minutes.
The challenge: Draw the silliest monster you can imagine.
Share your monster and give it a name when the timer buzzes.

2. Dinner Doodle Swap

Start by drawing any shape or squiggle on your paper.
Pass your paper to the person on your left.
That person has 1 minute to turn your squiggle into something recognizable.
Keep passing until everyone has had a turn!

3. The Snack Superhero

Look at what’s on the table—apple slices, crackers, pasta.
Imagine one of those snacks as a superhero.
Draw it in action (cape optional but encouraged).
Share what its superpowers would be!

4. Silly Scribble Portraits

Without lifting your pencil, draw a portrait of someone at the table in one continuous line.
Don’t peek until you’re done!
Reveal your drawings and enjoy the laughter.

5. What’s Missing?

One person secretly draws a simple scene (like a house or park).
Cover part of the drawing with your hand and show it to the others.
Everyone guesses: What’s missing?
Reveal the whole drawing!

Why Play Art Games?

These little bursts of creativity help kids:

Build imagination (a monster with five heads? Why not!)
Practice problem solving (how do you turn a squiggle into something new?)
Connect as a family (sharing and laughing together matters most).

And the best part? There’s no mess to clean up—just a table full of giggles.

Next time dinner gets a little quiet (or chaotic), pull out a pencil and try one of these games. Creativity doesn’t need a lot of supplies—just a spark of imagination.

What’s your family’s favorite dinner table game? Drop a comment and share!

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Getting Ready for Your First Job: A Guide for Teens

9/10/2025

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At Orange Easel, we believe learning doesn’t stop at the art table. As educators, we’re just as invested in helping our teens grow as individuals as we are in helping them grow as artists. That’s why we created our Junior Staff Program--a volunteer opportunity designed to give teens real-world experience, mentorship, and a supportive environment where they can build confidence and responsibility.

For many teens, Junior Staff is the first step toward eventually applying for a paid job—either with us or somewhere else. It's a low-pressure way to learn the basics of showing up on time, working with a team, and supporting young students. While you're volunteering, it's also the perfect time to start laying the groundwork for future employment.

Here’s a checklist of things you can do now to get yourself ready to apply for your first job when the time comes:

Getting Job-Ready: A Teen Checklist

Set up a personal email address you check regularly
Create a simple resume or list of experience (volunteering counts!)
Know your availability so you’re ready to answer scheduling questions
Practice answering common interview questions
Record a professional voicemail greeting on your phone and check messages regularly
Understand work permit requirements (if you're under 18 in your state)
Get familiar with professional etiquette like being on time, dressing appropriately, and speaking respectfully
Ask a trusted adult to be a reference
Start reviewing job listings to understand what roles and qualifications are out there
Set up a way to receive direct deposit
Gather the documents needed to complete an I-9 form (like a passport or combination of driver’s license and Social Security card)

Volunteering as Junior Staff is a great way to build many of these habits. You’ll gain experience, meet mentors, and learn what it means to be part of a creative workplace—all before you even get your first paycheck.

If you're ready to take that first step, learn more about our Junior Staff Program here. We’d love to have you on our team.

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The Secret to Creative Follow-Through: Live Classes vs. On-Demand

9/10/2025

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Why Live Art Classes Beat “Watch Later” Videos

If your child loves art, chances are you’ve tried a few on-demand art tutorials. They’re wonderful in theory—unlimited access, pause when you need to, start anytime. But here’s the truth: a lot of those projects never actually happen.

Life gets busy, the link gets buried, and the “someday project” stays on the to-do list.

At Orange Easel, we do things differently: In our Creation Nation Art Club, we teach live. Just like our in-studio students. And it makes all the difference.

Why Live Classes Work (Especially for Kids)

Kids show up. A set time on the calendar creates consistency—and fewer excuses.
They get feedback. Instructors can guide, adapt, and cheer them on in the moment.
They join a community. Kids thrive when they create alongside peers.
They build momentum. Each week stacks skills, confidence, and creativity.
They can still catch up. When life happens, recordings help kids stay connected.

Try It at Home: A 10-Minute “Live” Prompt
Want to see the power of a little structure in action? Try this simple at-home activity:

Grab paper and something to draw with.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Choose one of these prompts below
When the timer ends, spend 60 seconds sharing. Ask: What did you try? What surprised you?

Setting a timer creates urgency, focus, and celebration—just like a live class.

10 Silly Drawing Prompts for Artsy Kids

Snack Superhero – Turn whatever you’re eating into a superhero with a cape and powers.
Animal Mix-Up – Combine two animals into one creature (e.g., giraffe + octopus).
Backpack Monster – Imagine your backpack came to life—what does it look like?
Tiny House Tour – Draw what it would be like to live inside a shoe.
Doodle Dinner – What would a pizza look like if it had feelings?
Sky Swap – Instead of clouds, fill the sky with something else (donuts, balloons, eyeballs!).
Alien Selfie – Draw an alien taking a selfie on their home planet.
Pet in Disguise – Your pet (or dream pet) is secretly a superhero—draw their secret costume.
Upside-Down World – Imagine everything in your room is glued to the ceiling—how does it look?
Robot Chef – Design a robot who can only make one food—what does it look like?

The bottom line: LIVE classes don’t just teach kids to make art; they teach kids to keep making art.

»Join us for LIVE online class
»Find your class at the studio

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5 Easy Art Games to Play at the Dinner Table

1. The 3-Minute Monster

2. Dinner Doodle Swap

3. The Snack Superhero

4. Silly Scribble Portraits

5. What’s Missing?

Why Play Art Games?

Getting Ready for Your First Job: A Guide for Teens

Getting Job-Ready: A Teen Checklist

The Secret to Creative Follow-Through: Live Classes vs. On-Demand

Why Live Art Classes Beat “Watch Later” Videos

Allison May Jensen, owner

Archives

Categories

5 Easy Art Games to Play at the Dinner Table

1. The 3-Minute Monster

​2. Dinner Doodle Swap

​3. The Snack Superhero

4. Silly Scribble Portraits

5. What’s Missing?

Why Play Art Games?

Getting Ready for Your First Job: A Guide for Teens

Getting Job-Ready: A Teen Checklist

The Secret to Creative Follow-Through: Live Classes vs. On-Demand

Why Live Art Classes Beat “Watch Later” Videos

Allison May Jensen, owner

Archives

Categories

2. Dinner Doodle Swap

3. The Snack Superhero