🌈 Growing Great Thinkers

If Thanksgiving had an animal mascot (besides the turkey), it would definitely be the tortoise.

Why?

Because while everyone else is rushing around with last-minute cooking, grocery runs, family visits, and holiday noise…

the tortoise is on its own slow, peaceful vacation, taking in the world one calm step at a time.

And honestly?

Our kids could use a bit of that tortoise energy this season.

At Penholic, we love that image: a tiny tortoise strolling through fall leaves, enjoying the moment, noticing every color, every crunch—no hurry, no pressure.

Because that is exactly what slow crafting invites children to do.

This Thanksgiving, we’re sprinkling a little magic onto your holiday with a creative approach that helps kids slow down, focus, relax, and grow—one mindful craft moment at a time.

Ever watched a child completely absorbed in peeling, placing, and rearranging stickers? To most of us, it looks like play — but to the brain, it’s a full-blown learning workout.

Behind every little sticker session lies a world of sensory discovery, patience, and fine motor skill building. Here’s what’s really happening when kids dive into the sticky side of creativity.

Before your child tackles algebra or solves their first word problem, they need something far more powerful than a calculator: a box of crayons.

That’s right — glitter glue, safety scissors, and popsicle sticks might look like playtime, but they’re actually laying the groundwork for lifelong learning. In this blog, we’re diving into how arts and crafts aren’t just fun—they’re fundamental. From sparking brain development to building real-world skills, discover why a little creative mess is one of the smartest things your child can make.

In our latest blog post, “Arts & Smarts: How Creative Play Fuels Brain Growth,” we explore how hands-on art activities spark critical thinking, boost focus, and build resilience in young children. Discover the surprising ways arts and crafts fuel curiosity, learning, and lifelong cognitive development—one paintbrush at a time.