One of my favorite surprises in our Timberdoodle kit this year was My Year of Art—and it’s the kind of art book that quietly becomes a staple the more you use it.

This isn’t a traditional, lesson-based art curriculum. Instead, My Year of Art offers 365 open-ended prompts that invite kids to explore drawing, painting, cutting, collaging, and creative thinking in a low-pressure, very approachable way.

There’s no expectation of perfection, which immediately makes it feel accessible and enjoyable.

What I Loved Most

It builds confidence through exploration.

The prompts are short and simple, but they encourage kids to make choices, experiment with materials, and trust their instincts.

There’s no “right” outcome, which is such a gift—especially for kids who might feel intimidated by art.

The artist references are a huge plus.

I really appreciate how the book naturally weaves in inspiration from well-known artists and techniques.

Kids are introduced to styles inspired by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Kandinsky, but they’re never asked to copy.

Instead, they’re encouraged to interpret ideas in their own way, which helps build genuine art appreciation.

Minimal supplies, maximum creativity.

Most activities use basic materials we already have on hand—markers, colored pencils, watercolor paints, scissors, glue, and scrap paper.

It’s easy to pull this book out without prep or stress.

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Thoughtful, inviting design.

The pages are clean and uncluttered, with just enough structure to spark ideas while still leaving plenty of room for creativity.

It feels calm, modern, and unintimidating—something kids actually want to open.

Great for multiple ages.

This book works beautifully across age levels. Younger kids can respond simply, while older kids can take the same prompt much deeper.

It’s especially helpful for mixed-age homeschool days.

How We’re Using It.

We’re not treating this as a strict “one page per day” book. Instead, we use it during art time or quiet moments and let the kids choose prompts that stand out to them.

Some days we do one page, other days we skip around—and that flexibility is part of what makes it work so well.

Final Thoughts

My Year of Art is a wonderful blend of creative freedom, gentle structure, and real artistic exposure.

It focuses on the process rather than the finished product and encourages kids to think like artists instead of following instructions.

If you’re looking for an art resource that fits naturally into your homeschool without adding pressure, this one is an easy yes—and a really lovely addition to a Timberdoodle kit.

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