Sibling Birth Art Ideas: Helping Kids Express Their Feelings About a New Baby

Bringing a new baby into the family is magical, but it’s a shift—one that can be thrilling, confusing, and a little overwhelming, especially for the siblings who are used to being the “baby” themselves. As parents, we often find ourselves navigating our mixed feelings while trying to make space for all that’s to come.

There’s no rulebook for this, but one thing I’ve found to be an incredible tool for siblings is art. Art offers a unique freedom of expression, a way for kids to process emotions they may not have words for yet. And, in the context of welcoming a new little one, it can serve as a bridge to understanding, accepting, and even celebrating this big change.

Creating art with or for a new sibling allows a child to pour their emotions into something that’s just theirs. It can be joyful, colorful, and full of excitement, or it might have shades of uncertainty as they learn to share their space, their time, and their family’s attention. Whatever comes out in their art is honest, which is so important for kids adjusting to a new role as an older sibling. And as parents, when we open up that space for them, we’re not only acknowledging their feelings but showing them that they’re valid and important.

Art can also become a gift from older siblings to the new baby—something they pour their creativity and effort into that says, “I’m here, and I have a part in this family too.” This act of creation can become a touchstone in their relationship, a reminder that they had a role in welcoming this baby, that they were there from the beginning with a gift straight from their heart. And it can be something that helps them feel connected, even when they’re working through their complicated feelings.

Sometimes, though, sibling art doesn’t look like a celebratory project. It might be more about exploring questions and worries—things that can seem small to us but loom large in the world of a child. Will Mom and Dad still have time for me? Am I still as important as I was? Through their drawings, their painting, or even their sculpture, they might try to tell us, “This is what I feel; this is what I don’t know yet.” And instead of trying to push those feelings aside, the art gives us a chance to listen, to see what’s in their hearts, and to have conversations that help them feel safe and seen.

There’s no specific “right” way for a child to do sibling art; it’s about letting them take the lead, follow their instincts, and create what’s meaningful to them. Some kids might dive in and want to draw family portraits, adding the new sibling to their vision of family. Others might choose colors or themes that tell us how they’re feeling. I think it’s important to remember that their art isn’t about perfection, but about connection, about opening doors and creating a safe, accepting place where they can be exactly who they are. So, let them make a mess, try new things, and just explore.

If you’re not sure where to start, try simple activities that allow your child to process and share. Drawing family portraits can give them a chance to show where they feel they fit in the family now while creating a family tree might help them see the baby as part of a bigger story. Another idea is to have them make a “welcome” card or gift for the baby, allowing them to put their feelings into a creation for their new sibling.

At the end of this experience, take a moment to think about how you, as parents, are also feeling about this transition. As much as children need space to express themselves, you need to reflect on your own emotions, too. Your openness and willingness to work through these changes together as a family can demonstrate the importance of compassion and honesty.

I’ve seen that when kids are given the freedom to create, they find their way to welcome a new sibling—and to welcome this change into their hearts. It’s not always instant, but it’s often beautiful, raw, and full of life. And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.