Here's an Over-The-Top way to show your kids that you care - and that you're impressed with their art and craftwork efforts.

SELL THEIR STUFF!

Now, don't freak out - I mean it...

Sell their arts'n'crafts - make a big deal about it, too.

Stage a multi-family or community/neighborhood party where the focus is 'the kids' and 'art appreciation.'

Make it an auction and have neighboring friends, community members and family take part, too.

Set a date, tell everyone about it whose kids would like to be involved. (Get the kids set on making some 'projects' for a date set in advance - this way, there will be A LOT of great and extra items ready for the party).

On the set date, go all out...have an auction and make the adults bid on the items. Get the kids to help set up some tables to display their arts'n'crafts.

If you don't go with the auction idea, just set up a community table, multi-family event and have the kids help with 'arranging' their art - even writing up signs for the event. Heck - let the kids toss out a 'spiel' if they want and do up some 'promotional signs' related to their fine art objects and handmade crafts. This will also allow the kids to talk about creativity and how they made the items, how they 'thought up' the great artwork, how they transformed their ideas from head to art medium.

A couple of things to avoid:

* Favouritism

Make sure that there are some 'equal prizes' and that everyone WINS.

* Large sums of money

Prizes work better and are easier to manage than real money.

* Adult-only organization

Make sure you let the kids HELP OUT...it will be part of the fun, will allow them to start learning about co-operation and organizing 'community' events.

Don't forget to invite me to the party!

:)