Colors and Creativity: Art Activities from “Harold and the Purple Crayon”
Introduction
In Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, a little boy named Harold embarks on adventures armed with only his imagination and a single purple crayon. With just a few lines, he creates entire worlds, from dragons to forests, showcasing the magic of creativity and storytelling. This blog explores drawing activities inspired by Harold’s imaginative journey, helping children and parents bring their own dreams and stories to life.
1. Draw Your Own Adventure
Just like Harold, children can create their own worlds with a crayon or marker. Give them a large piece of paper or even tape several sheets together to make a “giant canvas” for their ideas. Suggest prompts inspired by Harold’s journey: drawing a path to a hidden treasure, a forest of magical trees, or a journey through space.
Parent Connection: Join your child in the drawing! You could start a line or shape and ask them to finish it, letting their imagination guide them. This collaborative activity encourages creativity and lets parents and children work together to build something unique.
2. Make a Treasure Map
Creating a treasure map is a fun way to encourage storytelling and planning, both of which are central to Harold’s adventures. Provide crayons or markers and have children draw a “map” that leads to a treasure, complete with landmarks, obstacles, and clues. Ask them questions like, “Where does the map start?” and “What challenges might a treasure hunter face?”
Parent Connection: To bring the map to life, hide a small toy or treat as “treasure” and go on a mini-adventure around the house or yard. Parents can guide younger children through the map, building excitement and encouraging kids to follow directions in a fun, interactive way.
3. Storyboarding with a Single Color
Harold creates his story with a single purple crayon, showing that you don’t need a rainbow of colors to tell a great story. Ask children to draw a mini-story with one color, perhaps using just a black or blue marker. They can create a simple sequence of images, each adding to the story—just like a comic strip.
Parent Connection: Parents can prompt ideas by asking questions about each drawing panel, such as, “What’s happening in this picture?” and “What will happen next?” This builds narrative skills and shows children how their ideas can flow from one scene to the next.
Thinking Questions for Children
- What world would you draw if you could go anywhere?
Encourages children to imagine new worlds and think about what makes a place special or exciting. - If you could add anything to your drawing, what would it be?
This question helps kids expand their ideas and add more layers to their creations. - Who would you want to meet in the world you drew?
Helps children think about characters and storytelling elements, deepening their connection to the activity.
Recommended Activity: Creating a Family Story Book
Encourage parents and children to compile all of their “Harold-inspired” drawings and maps into a small book. They can write simple sentences under each drawing, creating their own illustrated story. This activity brings children’s creations together, helping them see how their unique drawings form a complete, imaginative story.
By introducing children to drawing-based storytelling inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon, families can bring their creativity to life and learn that the simplest tools—a crayon and a little imagination—can lead to the most magical adventures.