Allow children spontaneous art explorations they can do on their own. Crafts with directions to follow and planned projects are fine in moderation, but open-ended art should be at least 80 percent of the program. Having a collage area in your classroom is a great way to encourage children's creativity. Save odds and ends in plastic tubs or shoeboxes. Provide tape, glue, stapler, stickers, and cardboard or heavy paper. Watch as children assemble and design their own collages with the materials on hand. Change the buttons to beads and see the collage take on new creativity. Change the paper to cardboard, and it's an all-new experience.