Create the World- 8 Art Projects Inspired by Creation Stories

Description

Welcome to a world of wonder

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered how everything came to be? Stories about the world’s beginning appear in nearly every culture. They remind us that people have always been curious about creation, the forces of nature and our relationship with the divine. On the Faithfully Explore! podcast we love sharing stories that spark imagination and invite discussion between children and their grown‑ups. Our latest printable, “Create the World: 8 Art Projects Inspired by Creation Stories,” combines storytelling with hands‑on art so families can journey through myths together.

This printable guide features eight creation myths from around the globe: the Hindu story of Vishnu sleeping on the cosmic ocean, the Judeo‑Christian account of God forming the world in six days, the Māori tale of the sky father and earth mother being separated, the Yoruba myth of Obatala molding humans from clay, the Navajo emergence through four worlds, the Chinese legend of Pangu cracking the cosmic egg, the Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime story of the Rainbow Serpent and the Haida story of Raven bringing light. These stories come from different religious and cultural traditions; presenting them side by side encourages curiosity and respect.

What’s inside the printable?

Each project includes a child‑friendly summary of the myth. You’ll also find a unique art project tied to the story. For example, after reading how Vishnu breathed universes into being, children paint swirling cosmic oceans with watercolor and salt texture. The Genesis story invites them to collage the six days of creation using magazine cut‑outs and natural materials, reinforcing the sequence of events. The Māori page features a layered paper landscape where children separate the sky and earth, drawing inspiration from Tāne’s role in pushing his parents apart.

Other projects include molding clay figures like the Yoruba creator Obatala, making colorful sand paintings of the Navajo four worlds, scratching vibrant cosmic eggs like Pangu splitting yin and yang, crafting tissue‑paper suncatchers of the Rainbow Serpent carving rivers,  and building shadow puppets to act out Raven’s clever quest for light.

Modifications offer ways to simplify tasks for little hands or challenge older children with more detail, such as adding Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns or Chinese characters for yin and yang.

Why art and storytelling matter

Research shows that art activities strengthen fine motor skills, encourage creative problem solving and foster emotional expression. When paired with storytelling, art helps children process ideas that might be abstract or challenging. For example, the Navajo concept of moving through multiple worlds emphasises balance and harmony. By creating concentric sand paintings, kids physically experience layering and movement while discussing what balance means in their lives. Similarly, the Haida Raven’s trickster behavior prompts conversations about curiosity, persistence and the ethical use of cunning. Acting out the story with shadow puppets engages imagination, performance skills and empathy.

Exploring creation myths from around the world also nurtures cultural awareness. It shows children that there are many ways to understand our origins and that every culture has valuable wisdom to share. Parents and teachers can use the reflection prompts to talk about their own beliefs and to ask children what they imagine when they think about the world’s beginning. Questions like “If you created the world, what would you include?” empower kids to express their hopes and values.

How to use this guide

1. Set aside creative time. Plan a weekly “creation afternoon” to read one story and complete the corresponding art project. Gather materials ahead of time and invite siblings or friends to join.

2. Read aloud and discuss. Encourage children to listen actively and ask questions. Take turns retelling the story in your own words.

3. Make art together. Let children take the lead. Offer guidance but resist the urge to correct. Art is about exploration, not perfection.

4. Reflect and connect. Use the prompts to talk about what the story means. How does the art activity help you understand the myth? What values or lessons stand out?

5. Share and display. Hang finished art on the wall or fridge. Create a home gallery to celebrate your journey through these stories. Consider taking photos and sharing them with friends or posting them (with kids’ permission) on social media.

Faithfully Explore! connections

If you enjoy this printable, check out our podcast episodes that inspired it. In “How the World Began,” we discuss different origin stories and what they teach us about faith. The “Star Maps” episode explores how cultures use constellations to tell their stories and navigate. You’ll find links to these episodes in the resources section of the printable and on our website. We also recommend reading books like Diné Bahane: The Navajo Creation Story or Pangu: Chinese Mythology for Children if you want to dive deeper.

Download and share

Ready to create? Click the “Download Now” button below to get your free printable. Print the pages at home or your local copy shop, gather your art supplies and begin your journey. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent planning next year’s curriculum, a teacher looking for multicultural art projects, or a caregiver seeking summer boredom busters, Create the World offers an engaging way to combine art, literacy and cultural learning.

“Stories are the heartbeat of humanity. When we paint, mould, layer and cut, we join the long line of creators before us.”

Thank you for supporting Faithfully Explore! We hope this guide sparks creativity, curiosity and conversations in your home or classroom. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #FaithfullyExplore. Happy creating!