Healing through Watercolor for Kids, Adolescents, and Teens
When you are trying to process your own grief how do you help your children and teens do the same?
Grief is a big feeling for anyone, but for children, it can be especially overwhelming and hard to talk about. When no one knows what to say or how to say it, creative outlets can become a powerful tool for communication and healing. One of the most gentle and accessible forms of expression for children is watercolor painting. With its soft edges, flowing colors, and calming nature, watercolor can offer a safe and soothing outlet for kids navigating the confusing emotions of grief.
Watercolor painting encourages freedom. Unlike more structured art forms, it doesn’t require perfection. Kids can splash, blend, and layer colors, letting their feelings take shape on paper without judgment. This freedom allows children to explore emotions they may not fully understand or know how to articulate—like sadness, anger, fear, or even moments of joy tied to memories of a loved one.
The process of painting itself can also be physically helpful. The rhythmic motion of the pencil and brush and the way the water and color mix can help regulate a child’s nervous system. It encourages them to slow down, breathe, and focus on the present moment. In this space, grief doesn’t have to be fixed or solved; it can simply be felt.
Creating watercolor art in a supportive environment—whether at home or with a professional —can also open the door to meaningful conversations. A child might point to a color and say, “That’s how I feel today,” or share a memory sparked by their painting.
The best part is that you don’t need to be an artist to support this process. Offer a few simple materials: watercolor paints and/or pencils, brushes, heavy paper, and a cup of water. Sit with your child and paint together. Let them lead the way. There’s no right or wrong—only expression.
In times of grief, children need more than answers; they need connection, space, and permission to feel. Watercolor painting is a quiet invitation to all of these things. It allows a child to be in control of their creation, to make a mess or something beautiful, and to begin the gentle, ongoing process of healing—one brushstroke at a time.
For watercolor sessions with me or to register for an adolescent watercolor painting grief workshop in Castle Rock, CO, please contact me at kristy@yourpersonalgriefguide.com or at (720) 425-3610.