Why we Should all Strive to Create Like Children

At some point, many people who grew up drawing simply stop. Whether they enjoyed crafting, painting nature, or creating drawings from memories, their creativity often came to an abrupt halt. I’ve had numerous friends who have shared that they ceased drawing when they “grew up” or when they “were no longer kids.” Why is this the case, and why does it seem so normal?

For many individuals, creating art transitions from a personal hobby to something that is subject to judgment and analysis. When we observe children’s art, it becomes evident that they create purely for the sake of expression, not with the intention of having their work graded or evaluated by a panel of curators. Their creations are free and full of energy!

What many people do not realize is that you should never stop creating art for art’s sake. Even if it will be judged or criticized, art should always be a form of expression and creativity. We just need to remember this!

We learn to be self-conscious and worry about what others think.

We learn that art is subjective and will inevitably be graded by critics, professors, or friends.

We learn that it is possible to make a substantial amount of money from art.

Maybe the first step to creating like a child is unlearning.

As we grow up, we learn the “right” way to draw. We learn techniques like shading, proportion, composition, and perspective. While these skills are most definitely helpful, they can limit our creativity if we start correcting and asking, “Is this right?”

Children, however, draw freely. They create what they feel without worrying about accuracy. A sky can be pink or a person can have fourteen fingers, and that’s perfectly fine. For kids, art is about expression, not perfection.

Kids draw to express themselves, not to impress anyone. They don’t think about audiences or social media; their art is immediate and genuine. Adults tend to worry about how their work will be received, which can make our creations feel controlled and less vibrant.

To “draw like a child” doesn’t mean ignoring skills; it means embracing a mindset that values the process over the outcome, expression over accuracy, and curiosity over control. It’s about letting go and creating!