I’ve mentioned #ShapeChallenge in a few recent posts – it’s a creative challenge on Twitter that my boys and I have all been taking part in. Author Sarah McIntyre posts a shape (a black outline with a red dot in it) every week day and lots of people (adults, kids, professional artists, people ‘just giving it a whirl’… ) draw something based on it and then tweet their work. Sarah doesn’t post a shape at the weekends though, instead she asks someone else to draw and post a shape for everyone to use. Very excitingly, this weekend my older two boys (8 and 6) were invited to do it!
Shape designed by my 6yo
Shape designed by my 8yo
It was fantastic! I let them both have (supervised) access to my Twitter account and when people began to post pictures based on their shapes my boys replied to them. It was so lovely to see them engaging with a creative community in this way, and people were so responsive and kind. Some even drew pictures with the boys in mind, like Dark Derek who turned my eight-year-old’s shape into a Star Wars B1 battle droid!
The boys did tweet some responses that made me giggle a bit, like ‘you have pro skills!’ from my eight-year-old to a professional illustrator, or ‘keep up the good work!’ from my six-year-old to an artist six times his age, but everyone took them in the way they were intended. People were so warm and thanked my sons for the shapes and complimented them on their own drawings.
It’s been such a positive experience for them – my eight-year-old in particular has been bouncing off the walls most of the weekend saying “It’s amazing what people are doing with our shapes!” He says he feels really proud of himself and that he thought he wasn’t any good at art but now he thinks he must be because ‘proper artists’ have said nice things about his work. It’s given him a real confidence boost. My six-year-old’s class at school is also going to be using his shape in their next art class too! I’m so thrilled that both boys have been able to have an experience like this – I feel like it’s benefitted them in all sorts of ways.
Hooray for creativity – may it weave its magic through your lives too. 
By my eight-year-old. The original shape was that of the green car.
How fantastic. I’d never heard of this until you mentioned it the other day. It’s good that it’s something everyone can get involved with, no matter what their age or ability.
nicola young recently posted…Bouncing into 2016 – Pantomimes, gym competitions and puppy love
Yes, it’s lovely and inclusive – come and join in! xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week sixty-three
I love your son’s comment “You have pro skills” lolol. Awesome! It’s great that they are getting so much enjoyment out of it and long may it continue. X
At the moment the boys want to carry on ‘for at least a year’ but who knows. It is so much fun though. Thanks for commenting x
Maddy recently posted…when Twitter is awesome
Sounds fantastic!! Hahaha “you have pro skills” that’s a compliment and a half there!
#ftmob
martyn recently posted…Out of the Mouth of Babes #16
I know – tee hee!
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week sixty-three
Love the sound of the shape challenge! How brilliant! Your kids comments are so cute too
xx #ftmob
It’s really fun – monkey might like it? x
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week sixty-three
Never heard of this, but it sounds like so much fun! Love your kids’ encouraging responses to the good people of twitter! #ftmob
I’m sure the artists feel much more confident now their ‘pro skills’ have been acknowledged! haha xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week sixty-three
I used to do this with myself when I was a kid – 25 years ago! Loved it!
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files recently posted…20 Indoor Activities with Kids When You’re Stuck Inside
You should return to it, Jenny – bet you’d still love it!
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – week sixty-three