Sparking Creativity at Home: Arts-Integration Kits

Juneteenth themed Arts-Integration Kit featuring the book Juneteenth For Mazie, written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

At Arts for Learning WNY, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality, culturally relevant learning experiences - no matter their zip code or income level. That’s why, in 2025, we launched our Arts-Integration Kits, created especially for elementary-aged students and their caregivers to enjoy together. In our very first year, we were proud to give away more than 700 kits across the City of Buffalo - all at no cost to families in under-resourced communities. Each kit is designed to do more than simply entertain: it creates moments of connection, joy, and discovery between children and the people who care for them. Our Arts-Integration Kits aren’t about perfect art projects or scripted lessons. They’re about play, exploration, and connection. By centering children’s lived experiences, the kits support literacy, self-expression, and family bonding - all while filling a critical gap in communities with limited access to arts education.

Whether you’re sketching your favorite character, drumming on pots and pans, or inventing new dance moves, you’re using the arts to make learning stick in joyful, meaningful ways. You don’t need to be a trained artist or teacher - just open to playing, imagining, and creating. Along the way, you’ll support your child’s learning, build memories, and maybe even discover your own inner artist.

What’s Inside the Kits?

Every kit includes:

• A carefully selected picture book where children can see themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods reflected. These titles, authored by diverse voices, celebrate the rich cultural fabric of our region.

• Hands-on arts activities that bring the story to life through drawing, dancing, acting, and imaginative play.

• Art materials needed for each activity. 

These activities are designed to spark curiosity and creativity while affirming every child’s identity and perspective. They also give families the tools to make everyday moments, like dancing in the kitchen or acting out a favorite scene, into joyful learning adventures.

Keep the Creativity Going

Even if you didn’t receive a kit, you can still bring the experience home! On our website, you’ll find:

• Downloadable arts-integration lesson plans

• Lists of recommended supplies

The picture books featured in our kits can be purchased from your favorite local retailer or borrowed through the library system. You can also check out our Upcoming Events page to see where kits are being distributed near you. 

The arts are all around us, waiting to transform everyday moments into something extraordinary. With our carefully crafted Arts-Integration Kits, even the most ordinary routines can become magical opportunities for creativity and connection. Together, we’re showing that the arts aren’t extras - they’re essential to learning, growing, and thriving.