Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Las Vegas, NV

Art is a great way to get your little one to express themselves. It's amazing to see how they use shapes and colors to express their thoughts and emotions long before they verbalize the complex feelings that brew below the surface.

How do you let loose their inner Renior or Georgia O'Keefe? You don't have to wait until their old enough to see Steve Wynn's latest collection.  It can be as simple as finger painting with chocolate pudding or as structured as an actual art class. Here's a smattering (a la Jackson Pollack) of options to explore.

Artful Potter
With two locations in town, you can drop in and pick a ceramic piece (there's a ton to choose from) and paint away. For your littlest ones, I suggest that you keep it simple. A plate with a handprint or a mug with a simple sun is great gifts that grandma and grandpa will treasure. If your budding artist is more adventurous, try an animal piggy bank. The hardest part of the Artful Potter is letting go of the fact that your kids will get messy and that your kids will inevitably layer color after color, making a lovely grey-brown mess. No worries. It's the best grey-brown mess that they will ever make. They offer classes (a great way to beat the heat each summer), and parties as well as drop-in hours. Be sure to check out their "Paint me a story" program where they introduce a book and then let the kids loose to interpret the story in their artwork. It's a fabulous idea that's bound to create great memories.

Abrakdoodle
If you'd prefer to keep the mess closer to home, you can bring in Abrakadoodle to your next birthday party or playgroup. They also do classes at community centers and summer art camps. One of their students even won the twelfth annual Miracle Tie Network contest!

Piggies and Paws
If you're little one is not quite ready to take a paintbrush in hand, why not incorporate them into the art through their hands and/or feet. When you have a Piggies and Paws party, you basically have a big playdate, pick a design and leave your child's hand/footprints behind. In about 6-8 weeks, the designer will have your prints ready. These are great for Christmas gifts and Mother's Day, but everyone else likes the idea as well, so be sure you book your party (or go to someone else's) well ahead of time.