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HOUGHTON -- Whether you work with oil pastels or Crayola crayons, the simple act of making art is an excellent opportunity for self-expression, especially when the artists are children with unique learning challenges.

At Family Art Night, a special event held in Houghton, it wasn't about ability, although the kids had clearly mastered the medium of clay foam.  Instead, it was all about kids with emotional, physical, or learning challenges having fun and bonding with their parents and siblings.

"This is just much fun with me and my mom building things with this interesting clay," said nine-year-old Steve Forgrave.

Lisa Kahnke, a mentor with Michigan Alliance for Families, helped coordinate the event with Keweenaw Krayons.  But she was also there as a mom and enjoying the play time with her sons, six-year-old Tai and two-year-old Devin.

"With our parent-to-parent support group, we focus on the parents so it's nice to have an event that can include the kids,” said Kahnke.  “I think it's important for parents to have those bonding experiences and do something fun with their kids."

For one project, art teacher Sarah Grieger told the kids to draw music as she played different songs.

But making clay creations was by far the favorite activity of the night and a great way for the little sculptors to tap into the right side of their brain.

"Texture is a big thing.  Sensory stimulation is something that will capture their attention.  It helps reach all learners, including the tactile learners who need hands-on activities to understand something," said Grieger.

The group doesn't have any plans for another art night just yet, but even if you missed out, it's easy to do art at home.

All you need is a little imagination.