Check out Crayola’s FREE Event for Teachers & Classrooms!
Celebrate imagination in your classroom! Discover why Crayola Creativity Week 2026 is the ultimate free event for teachers, schools, and families.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an art educator, it’s this — creativity changes everything.
I’ve seen it transform the quietest students into confident storytellers, the most hesitant learners into fearless experimenters, and the dullest afternoons into bursts of laughter, color, and curiosity. Creativity has this incredible power to light up a classroom and remind us all that learning isn’t just about answers — it’s about exploration.
I still remember one of my favorite teaching moments: a rainy January afternoon when my students were completely drained. The energy was low, the skies were gray, and even I was counting the minutes until dismissal. So, I pulled out a box of Crayola crayons — the big, magical one with all the colors — and told them, “Today, there are no rules. You can color outside the lines. You can make a pink sky, a green sun, or a polka-dotted cat. Just make something that feels like you.”
Within minutes, the room came alive. There was laughter, chatting, and that beautiful sound of crayons sliding across paper. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I teach — and why creativity is essential in every classroom.
That’s why I’m beyond thrilled to partner with Crayola to share something truly special: Crayola Creativity Week, happening January 26 to February 1, 2026. It’s a free, global celebration of imagination designed for teachers, students, and families to explore creativity through art, storytelling, and hands-on learning.
When you register, you’ll get access to daily creative challenges, celebrity read-alouds, classroom resources, and giveaways, all celebrating this year’s theme: Color Inspires Creativity! Whether you’re an art teacher or a classroom educator looking to bring more joy to your lessons, this event is for you.
And — get this — educators who register using the keyword “CREATIVITY” will be entered to win one of three $500 Crayola grand prizes for their classroom! 🎉
👉 You can sign up right now at https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
What is Crayola Creativity Week?
If you’ve ever wished for a way to spark more imagination, joy, and color in your classroom — Crayola Creativity Week is it.
This incredible free event runs from January 26 to February 1, 2026, and it’s all about celebrating the creative spirit that lives inside every child (and, let’s be honest, every teacher too!). Crayola has designed this weeklong celebration to inspire teachers, students, and families all around the world to bring learning to life through creativity, storytelling, and art.
During the week, classrooms will unlock access to:
🎨 Creative, hands-on lesson plans that weave art into every subject
🎤 Celebrity read-alouds that inspire imagination and connection
📚 Printable classroom activities and challenges to make learning fun
🎁 Daily giveaways featuring Crayola products and other classroom prizes
💫 Free digital resources that encourage kids to explore and express themselves in colorful new ways
Last year, 13 million students, 820,000 teachers, and 99,000 learning sites joined in — making it one of the largest creativity-centered events in the world. That’s millions of students laughing, painting, drawing, experimenting, and rediscovering that learning is something to be felt, not just memorized.
The 2026 theme — “Color Inspires Creativity” — invites students to see color not just as something they use, but as something that moves them. It’s an invitation to look at the world differently: to find inspiration in the ordinary, to mix ideas like they mix paint, and to remember that creativity is the heartbeat of discovery.
This isn’t just an art week. It’s a celebration of creativity across all subjects. Whether you teach math, science, social studies, or art, you’ll find ways to help students see how creative thinking drives every part of learning.
And the best part? It’s 100% free — no subscriptions, no hidden costs, no materials you have to buy. Just pure creative joy, ready to be infused into your classroom.
👉 Ready to join in? Sign up now at https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
About Ms ArtasticWhy Creativity Week Matters for Teachers and Students
Teaching is one of those professions that asks us to do it all — to inspire, to assess, to plan, to adapt, and sometimes even to perform a little classroom magic when the energy is low. But at the heart of it all, what we really do is spark curiosity.
And that’s exactly what Crayola Creativity Week is about — bringing the magic back into learning.
Every time I watch a student light up as they realize they can make something completely their own, I’m reminded why creativity is so vital. It’s not just about painting or drawing — it’s about problem-solving, innovation, communication, and confidence. When kids create, they’re learning to think differently — to see possibilities instead of limits.
But somewhere along the way, with all the testing, curriculum demands, and the pressure to “cover it all,” creativity started to slip through the cracks. Teachers tell me all the time, “I miss the joy in my classroom.” I’ve felt that too. There have been seasons where the spark felt dimmer — not because I didn’t love my students, but because I was running on empty.
That’s why I’m such a huge believer in initiatives like Crayola Creativity Week. It gives teachers permission to pause the rush and bring imagination back to the center. It reminds us that creativity isn’t an “extra” — it’s essential.
When we let kids imagine, play, and explore through art and creative thinking, they:
🌟 Build confidence in their ideas
🧠 Strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills
🎭 Develop emotional intelligence and self-expression
💬 Improve communication and collaboration
❤️ Feel seen, valued, and connected in the classroom
And here’s the best part — when our students light up with creativity, we do too. I don’t know about you, but when I see a classroom full of students engaged and excited, it fills my teacher heart right back up.
Crayola’s theme this year — “Color Inspires Creativity” — couldn’t be more fitting. Color is everywhere. It’s in our emotions, our art, our stories, and our lessons. It reminds us that creativity isn’t confined to the art room — it belongs in every subject, in every classroom.
So if you’ve been feeling the weight of planning, testing, and never-ending to-do lists… let this be your invitation to bring back the joy.
Crayola Creativity Week makes it easy. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — you just have to say yes to creativity.
👉 Ready to bring that spark back to your students? Sign up for free at https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
How to Sign Up (and Enter to Win $500 for Your Classroom!)
Okay, let’s talk about the part every teacher loves — free stuff! 🎉
Crayola isn’t just inspiring creativity this year — they’re celebrating teachers in a big way. When you register for Crayola Creativity Week, you’ll not only get access to a full week of amazing creative learning content, but you’ll also be entered into the Crayola Creativity Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of three $500 Crayola grand prizes for your classroom!
Imagine what $500 in Crayola supplies could do for your students — new art materials, colorful classroom décor, hands-on projects, and all the creative tools you could dream of. It’s the perfect way to start the year off bright, colorful, and inspired.
And the best part? Signing up is super easy and takes just a minute.
Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Visit https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm and click “Sign Up Now.”
2️⃣ In the “Refer a Colleague” box, type the keyword CREATIVITY.
3️⃣ Click Submit!
That’s it! You’re officially registered for Creativity Week and entered to win one of three Crayola classroom grand prizes.
When you register, you’ll unlock free resources, classroom challenges, and creative activities designed to make your lessons fun, flexible, and engaging — no matter what subject or grade level you teach.
Plus, every day of Creativity Week, Crayola will share videos, hands-on projects, and free materials that help you celebrate imagination and creative thinking in your classroom.
🎁 The Official Details
Educators who register using the keyword “CREATIVITY” will be entered to win one of three $500 Crayola grand prizes for their classroom!
Sign up in 3 easy steps:
1️⃣ Visit https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm and click “Sign Up Now.”
2️⃣ In the “Refer a Colleague” box, enter the keyword CREATIVITY.
3️⃣ Click Submit!
Disclaimer: The Sweepstakes starts on October 01, 2025, and ends on December 31, 2025. Three (3) Grand Prize winners will be selected at the end of the Sweepstakes Period via a random drawing from among the eligible entries. Visit https://www.crayola.ca/ccw-sweepstakes-terms for full Terms & Conditions.
What You’ll Get When You Join
So, what exactly happens when you join Crayola Creativity Week?
In short — you’ll unlock a world of color, imagination, and classroom joy.
When you register for this free global event, Crayola gives you everything you need to bring creativity to life in your classroom — even if you’re not an art teacher! Whether you teach kindergarten or middle school, math or language arts, these activities are designed to fit right into your week with minimal prep and maximum fun.
Here’s a peek at what you’ll get:
🎨 Free Creative Lesson Plans & Activities
Each day of Creativity Week, you’ll receive engaging, hands-on lessons that help students think creatively across all subjects. You’ll see ideas that connect art to science, storytelling, math, social-emotional learning, and beyond — all aligned to spark curiosity and self-expression.
📚 Celebrity Read-Alouds & Inspiring Guest Videos
Crayola partners with artists, authors, actors, musicians, and even Olympic athletes to show students that creativity exists in every field. These special guests share their stories and inspire kids to dream big.
🎁 Daily Giveaways & Prizes
Throughout Creativity Week, classrooms have daily chances to win Crayola products, books, instruments, technology, and more. It’s like a creative surprise party that keeps going all week long!
💛 Printable Resources & Teaching Tools
When you register, you’ll have instant access to downloadable materials, including teacher guides, student activity sheets, and themed art prompts. They’re ready to print, post, or project for your students — no fancy supplies required.
🌈 Cross-Curricular Creativity
This isn’t just an “art thing.” It’s an everything thing. Crayola shows how creativity connects to literacy, science, math, and social studies — helping kids approach learning from fresh, imaginative angles.
🌟 Community & Inspiration
You’ll be joining a worldwide community of over a million educators who believe in the power of creativity. It’s a reminder that you’re part of something bigger — a movement that celebrates teachers who make learning colorful, meaningful, and fun.
If you’ve been craving a little spark, a reason to break out the markers, or an excuse to remind your students that learning is fun again — this is your moment.
Crayola Creativity Week makes it easy for you to bring more color, curiosity, and joy into your lessons, without adding extra work to your already full plate.
So grab your crayons, markers, paints, or even just pencils, and let’s make creativity the highlight of your classroom in 2026!
👉 Sign up for free today at https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
🎥 Watch My Video to See What It’s All About
If you’re like me, sometimes it’s easier to see the magic than just read about it — and trust me, Crayola Creativity Week is full of magic. ✨
I recently created a video where I talk all about this incredible event, why I love it so much, and how teachers like you can join in. In the reel, I share exactly what Creativity Week is, how to sign up, and why I truly believe every classroom should experience it.
You’ll also see some Crayola-inspired art from my own studio (because you know I can’t resist bringing color to every conversation!). It’s short, fun, and bursting with the kind of energy we all need as we head into a new year of teaching.
👉 Watch it here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQuUiqRD9wu/?igsh=MWd4djlucWppbnN6eg==
After you watch, I’d love to hear from you — leave a comment on the post and tell me if you’re joining Crayola Creativity Week this year!
Whether you’re an art educator or a classroom teacher, I want to know how you’re planning to bring creativity to your students this January. Sharing ideas helps us all grow and spread inspiration — and that’s what this community is all about. 💛
And don’t forget — by signing up using the keyword CREATIVITY, you’ll be entered to win one of three $500 Crayola grand prizes for your classroom!
You can register here:
👉 https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
Bring Creativity to Life in Your Classroom
One of my favorite things about Crayola Creativity Week is how simple it is to bring to life — no stress, no fancy materials, just pure imagination and joy.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about helping students see that creativity lives everywhere — in every lesson, every subject, every color they choose. That’s where the magic happens.
Here are a few ways you can weave Creativity Week into your classroom and make it unforgettable:
🎨 Start Each Day with a Creative Challenge
Kick off your mornings with a quick art or imagination prompt tied to your theme of the day. Ask students to “draw what happiness looks like,” “design a new planet,” or “create a creature that helps the Earth.” You’ll be amazed by what their imaginations come up with!
📚 Connect Art Across the Curriculum
Use Creativity Week to blend art into your other subjects. Paint fractions in math. Illustrate the water cycle in science. Create storyboards in language arts. When students can visualize their learning, it sticks in a deeper, more meaningful way.
💡 Celebrate Process Over Product
Remind students that art isn’t about being perfect — it’s about expressing ideas. Hang up “works in progress” around the room to show that trying, experimenting, and growing are what truly matter.
🌈 Create a Classroom Creativity Wall
Dedicate one bulletin board or section of your wall to showcase student art, creative writing, or imaginative ideas. Add colorful paper frames or have students decorate their own “spotlight” area with their favorite creations.
🎭 Host a Mini “Color Inspires Creativity” Show
Let your students share what they’ve made! It can be a hallway display, a short slideshow, or even a classroom art parade. Kids love celebrating their work, and this builds community and confidence.
💛 Reflect Together
At the end of the week, invite students to share what creativity means to them. Write a class poem, create a collaborative mural, or record short video clips of students talking about how creativity helps them learn. These moments become powerful keepsakes — reminders that your classroom is a place where imagination thrives.
The beauty of Crayola Creativity Week is that it gives you everything you need to do all this (and more) — for free. The lesson plans, videos, and printable resources are ready to go, so you can focus on the fun part: helping your students explore, discover, and create.
And don’t forget — by registering with the keyword CREATIVITY, you’ll be entered to win one of three $500 Crayola grand prizes for your classroom! 🎉
👉 Sign up here: https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
💛 Let’s Celebrate Creativity Together
Teaching is one of the most creative acts there is. Every single day, you take ideas, energy, and heart — and you turn them into learning experiences that shape the next generation. That’s artistry.
But sometimes, between the lesson plans, meetings, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to forget just how creative we already are — and how deeply our students need those moments of wonder.
That’s why I love Crayola Creativity Week so much. It’s not just about crayons, paint, or markers — it’s about giving yourself and your students permission to play, explore, and rediscover the joy of learning through creativity. It’s about color, imagination, laughter, and connection.
When classrooms across the world take part together, it sends a powerful message: creativity matters. It reminds our students that their ideas are valuable, their voices are important, and their art — whether it’s a drawing, a story, or a wild invention — has the power to make the world brighter.
So let’s do this — let’s make 2026 the most colorful, creative year yet!
👉 Sign up for Crayola Creativity Week here:
https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week?utm_source=msartastic&utm_id=CCW2026#signupForm
About Ms Artastic
Ms Artastic is run by Canadian artist and educator Kathleen McGiveron, who is passionate about making art education accessible, inspiring, and stress-free for teachers and homeschooling families. With years of experience in the classroom and a deep love for creativity, she designs engaging, ready-to-use art resources that help students of all ages build skills, explore their imagination, and connect with the world of art.
In her TeachersPayTeachers Store, Ms Artastic offers hundreds of resources—from fully planned art units and seasonal projects to sketchbook prompts, art history lessons, and assessment tools. Each resource is carefully crafted to save teachers time while still delivering meaningful, high-quality art experiences for students. Whether you’re looking to teach the Elements of Art, integrate art into core subjects, or spark joy in the classroom with creative projects, Ms Artastic has everything you need to bring art to life with confidence and ease.
Recommendations:
If you’re looking for resources to help you plan or teach either at home or in your classroom, then check out these resources to help you get ahead!
🖌️Streamline your lesson planning! Get on the waitlist for the Artastic Collective Art Curriculum, a treasure trove of resources designed to empower art educators: https://www.artasticcollective.com/membership
✏️Sharpen your teaching skills! Join the Art Teacher Academy for professional development specifically designed for art educators: https://www.artasticcollective.com/artteacheracademy
🖍️Need engaging art lessons? Explore the Art Project Membership library to find creative resources for Teachers and Homeschooling Families: https://www.artasticcollective.com/artproject
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