Children of all ages will unleash their creative side at the 12th annual “Kids’ Art in the Park” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at Morton Park in Charleston.

The event is coordinated by Dorothy Bennett, instructor of art and president of the Coles County Arts Council, which is also the sponsor.The program is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

“The first year the program was folk art, but now it is a whole morning that is free for children to get exposed to different art,” Bennett said.

Activities planned include paper marbling, clay, watercolor painting, weaving, whittling, potato prints, yarn art, musical chairs, Hawaiian dancing and a presentation by the Mystic Juggler.

A new activity added to this year’s program is pewter making and face painting will be offered by Eastern theater students.

Children may also try their hand at button-making and painting shirts with art education majors.

“What is really great is that it is open activities, nothing structured. If a child feels like running off to go play on a swing, he or she can,” said Pam Gutowski, co-organizer of the event.

All activities are free with the exception of button-making and painting shirts.

For button making, participants must bring a photo and pay a $1 materials fee. For shirt painting, participants must bring a 100 percent cotton T-shirt and pay a $2 fee.

The event is open to the public, and 250 parents and children are expected, Bennett said.