Guest post by Amy-Mae Turner

International Dot Day, which takes place around the 15th September each year, is inspired by the children's book, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. In the book schoolgirl Vashti, suffering from a creative block, is encouraged by her teacher to "make her mark" and just draw a single dot. The teacher then frames the dot, an act that inspires Vashti to make bigger and better dot art. The book shows us that great things can be started by something as simple as a single dot. 

We're taking that inspiration to make suggestions on how you can inspire young people in your life with small-scale creative projects and activities. Here are fun ways to start small to inspire creativity in kids.

1. Do the dot  

Take inspiration directly from Vashi by using the dot concept with an affordable set of 12 colouring pencils, stored neatly in a cheerful cardboard tube. This should be enough to engage younger children, but if you think your kids would be inspired by having even more colours to use, we also offer a more comprehensive set of no less than 36 different colouring pencils.  

Tube of 12 colouring pencils - Colourful Creatures, £2.95

2. Word up  

Even the longest story starts with a single word. Invoke your child's inner Shakespeare by giving them a lovely, fresh new notebook with a single word written on the first page, and challenge them to write a short story or poem based on that word. With younger children, the name of an animal is always a good place to start. We have a huge range of notebooks in fabulous designs, so you're sure to find the perfect option for your kid.  

A5 notebooks (set of 2) - Green & aqua, £3.95

3. String it together  

Give your child one bead threaded onto a length of knotted elastic, and present them with this fun, little box of beads. Let their imagination guide them as they complete the design using the 100 or so beads now at their disposal. The cheery smile and fruit designs are sure to result in some vibrant accessories.  

Make your own jewellery set - Handbag, £7.95

4. Hit the right note  

If your ears can take it, making 'music' is a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. You could demo one note on this recorder, and hand it over to your kid to see what tunes they come up with. If others want to get in on the musical mayhem, we offer other percussion instruments from the same 'Animal Band' range.

Children's wooden recorder - Animal Band, £8.95

5. Connect the dots

Younger kids, especially if they aren't inspired to create their own drawings, can have a lot of fun with 'dot-to-dot.' You can obviously buy dot to dot books, but if it's more of an impromptu activity, there's a whole world of easily accessible dot-to-dot resources out there. Presenting them with an exciting multicoloured pen will make the whole thing more of an occasion, and save them reaching for different coloured pencils as they concentrate on the activity.  

Six colour pen - Wild Wonders, £3.95

6. Fold it up  

The magic of a paper plane is timeless. This kit is great for anyone who can't quite remember where the folds go, and makes things even more fun with a sticker sheet so your child can design their own flying wonder.  

Children's origami kit - Paper planes, £6.96 

If they show an interest in paper planes, why not consider graduating them to make their own origami animals? Even the world's largest origami creation - a crane with a wingspace of 80 metres - was started with a single, simple fold.  

Make your own origami animals, £4.95

7. Stitching things up  

Many children will be amazed if they manage to craft their own cross-stitch piece, all of which begins with a single stitch. We love this cheerful rainbow kit that comes with everything needed to make the design. 

Mini cross-stitch kit - Rainbow, £6.95

If your little one shows an aptitude for needlework, we offer more advanced embroidery kits that will see them stitching some truly stunning marvels.

Ladybird embroidery kit, £8.95

8. Piece by piece  

Every brick model starts with the simple act of joining two blocks together before evolving into the final design. We're fans of this popular panda kit, but perhaps your child might prefer to get their teeth into a crocodile, or maybe their imagination would take flight with a parrot?

Build your own animal model brick kit - Panda, £3.95  

9. Make 3D dots  

If you're looking for a tactile take on dot-themed crafts, why not take a look at our pom pom kit? Suitable for children aged six and up, this kit gives you three pom pom makers and three balls of yarn in beautiful, kid-friendly colours.

Make your own pom pom kit, £12.95

10. Family fun in a tin  

If your Dot Day celebration falls when your kid is not in a creative mood, don't despair, you can always try again at a time when they are more receptive. Instead, you can still generate some dot-themed, screen-free fun with a good old-fashioned game of dominos! This retro-styled tin of tiles is a timeless family favourite for a game of 'bones'. Fun fact: The dots on dominoes are officially called 'pips'.  

Dominoes in a tin, £9.95

Frequently asked questions  

How do I know what activity is best for my child?

We're guessing you have an inkling of what kind of creative activities get your kid inspired. However, the answer is, no creative activity is a bad choice, regardless of age. Offering a wide range of different options is a great way to keep kids engaged, and to find out where their interests ultimately lie. Try something new with them - you might be surprised!  

What if my child isn't inspired by an activity I offer?

Don't let it stress you out, just take a calm moment, try an alternative project and return to that activity on another day. We can all be in the mood for certain things and not others, and kids are no different.  

Does Peter H. Reynolds support International Dot Day?

Yes! He actively promotes it, and urges sharing anything created on the Day with others: 'Be sure to share your mark with the world,' says Reynolds. 'International Dot Day is about creativity and inspiration.'