Why You Should Never Underestimate a Toddler With a Marker

Picture This: 

It’s been a long day.  

You finally sit down with a coffee, exhale, and for the first time in hours, there’s silence.  

No demands, no crashes, no “Muuum, watch this!” It’s peaceful… a little too peaceful. 

You leave the room for thirty seconds.  

When you come back, your walls have hieroglyphics.  

The couch has been “redesigned” with streaks of blue and green. Your child? Standing there grinning, marker in hand, like a tiny, mischievous Picasso. 

😱 

And in that moment, two things are true. 

One—you are seconds away from losing your mind. 

Two—your child just unlocked a whole new level of creativity. 

We think of markers as innocent little tools.  

But in the hands of a toddler, they’re weapons of mass creation. 

The thing is, what looks like pure chaos to us is actually a key part of a child’s development. The urge to draw—on paper, on walls, on their own faces—is not just random destruction.  

It’s problem-solving. It’s storytelling. It’s how their little brains make sense of the world. 

And while you may not be thrilled about your new living room “mural,” that marker in their hand is doing a lot more than just making a mess. 

Let’s talk about why toddlers are wired to create—and how embracing their little masterpieces (with the right boundaries) might just help them grow into brilliant thinkers. 

Creativity Starts With Chaos 

It’s easy to look at a toddler’s scribbles and see nothing but a mess. Random lines. Strange shapes. Maybe something that sort of looks like a cat—if you tilt your head and squint. 

But to them? It’s not just scribbling. It’s a story. It’s an idea coming to life. 

Toddlers don’t draw because they want to make pretty pictures.  

They draw because they’re learning how to express themselves in a world where their words are still catching up to their thoughts. 

That’s why their art often comes with a long-winded explanation.  

“This is a rocket ship! And that’s me flying to space! And here’s a dinosaur because… well, dinosaurs are cool.” 

The process—gripping the marker, pressing it to the surface, watching the colour appear—is how they start to understand cause and effect, movement, and creativity. 

And yeah, sometimes that process leads to an impromptu masterpiece on your freshly painted walls. 

Markers Are Tools for Brain Development 

The moment a toddler picks up a marker, their brain is firing on all cylinders. 

They’re not just making lines.  

They’re developing fine motor skills, strengthening the tiny muscles in their hands that will later help them hold a pencil, tie their shoes, and button their clothes. 

They’re also learning hand-eye coordination—figuring out how to control their movements to create the shapes they see in their mind. 

And on a deeper level, they’re beginning to understand symbols. 

Think about it.  

Every word we read, every number we count, every letter we write—it all started as a squiggle on a page. 

So while their doodles might not mean much to you, to them, they’re laying the groundwork for reading, writing, and problem-solving later on. 

The Science Behind Why Kids Draw (On Everything) 

There’s a reason toddlers don’t always keep their art on paper. 

Psychologists say that kids are natural explorers.  

To them, the world isn’t divided into “appropriate” and “inappropriate” drawing surfaces. 

A blank wall? 

A brand-new couch? 

Their own belly? 

All of it is just one giant canvas. 

Toddlers don’t see mess the way we do. They see possibility. 

This kind of boundary-testing is actually a sign of intelligence. It shows they’re curious, engaged, and willing to experiment. 

Which, unfortunately, doesn’t make it any easier when you’re scrubbing permanent marker off your dining room table. 

How to Encourage Creativity (Without Destroying Your House) 

So, how do you let your child explore their artistic side without sacrificing your walls, furniture, and sanity? 

The trick is giving them freedom—but within limits. 

Create “Yes” Spaces for art. 

Instead of constantly saying “No! Not the walls!”, give them a designated space where creativity is allowed to run wild. 

Stick butcher paper to the wall at their height so they can go big with their drawings. 

Get a giant cardboard box and let them decorate it however they want. 

Use washable markers (trust me, it’s a lifesaver). 

By giving them an approved space to experiment, you’re encouraging creativity without the chaos. 

Make Art a Daily Activity 

Kids are going to draw on something—so make sure they have access to plenty of paper, colouring books, and creative tools. 

Set up a simple “art station” with supplies they can reach whenever they feel like creating. That way, they don’t have to hunt for alternatives (like your living room walls). 

And if they’re really into drawing on themselves?  

Try getting them a whiteboard or chalkboard where they can doodle and erase as much as they want. 

Praise the Process, Not Just the Result 

A lot of parents fall into the habit of saying “Wow! That’s amazing!” every time their child hands them a drawing. 

And while encouragement is great, the best thing you can do is praise their effort, not just the outcome. 

Instead of focusing on how good the picture looks, try asking: 

“Tell me about your drawing!” (Encourages storytelling) 

“What made you choose those colours?” (Boosts decision-making skills) 

“Wow, you really worked hard on this!” (Builds confidence in effort, not just talent) 

This helps them see creativity as a skill they can grow, rather than something they have to be “good” at right away. 

Turning Doodles Into Big Ideas 

At Centenary Childcare Centre, we see every scribble, doodle, and colourful mess for what it really is—the first step in creative thinking. 

That’s why we encourage open-ended art, hands-on exploration, and problem-solving through play. 

If you’re looking for a childcare centre in Mount Ommaney that nurtures creativity while helping children develop essential skills, we’d love to welcome your child. 

We also serve families looking for childcare near Middle Park, providing a space where kids can learn, explore, and express themselves. 

You can also check out how we encourage creativity via our programs by clicking here.  

Because sometimes, the best ideas start with a little bit of mess.