On Saturday morning, Sarah and I made some little clay thingies, and had about as much fun as it’s possible to have. I think I may have found my hidden skill.

And, for those of you who are unfamiliar with how art with little people works, I’ve compiled a short list of ways to squash your young artist’s joy.

Having been going to Kid’s Club at Michaels for a couple years now (10-noon, every Saturday, at your local Michael’s. Just $2), I was fortunate enough to learn these little tips a long time ago, and I thought it would be useful to pass them on. They’re little things that you don’t think about at the time, but make an enormous difference between art being fun or being a task that they need to accomplish to win your approval. YKMV (Your Kid May Vary.)