Coloring Outside the Lines: A Mary Blair lesson about Creativity and Self-Confidence

With March being National Women’s History Month, I can’t let it go by without highlighting some of Disney’s most influential women. I figured I would start with my personal favorite, Disney Legend and artist Mary Blair.

Read to the end for a fun social-emotional learning (SEL) activity you can do with your students!

The Disney Ride That Grew on Me

When I think about Disney and some of its most iconic rides, I can’t help but think about “It’s a Small World.”

The boats float through a kaleidoscope of colors, landscapes, and cultures, all while that very familiar tune plays: “It’s a small world after all…”

For years, I’ll admit it, I wanted to skip this ride. But it was my late mom’s favorite.

And as I’ve gotten older, I finally understand why. What once seemed simple now feels like an incredible work of art. I started noticing the craftsmanship in every doll, the details in the cultures and landscapes, and the creativity woven throughout the entire attraction.

And the artist behind much of that magic? Disney Legend Mary Blair.

Who Was Mary Blair?

You may not recognize Mary Blair’s name, but chances are you’ve seen and loved her work.

Mary Blair was a groundbreaking Disney artist and designer who joined Walt Disney Studios in the 1940s. At a time when animation followed very traditional artistic styles, Blair introduced something completely different. Her work was bold.Her color choices were fearless.Her imagination was limitless.

Her artistic influence can be seen in Disney classics like:

• Alice in Wonderland

• Cinderella

• Peter Pan

• and of course, It’s a Small World

  
  

But here’s the part of her story I love most, at first, many of her ideas were rejected because they were considered “too different.” Too colorful.Too stylized.Too unconventional.

Thankfully, Walt Disney recognized her talent and trusted her creative vision. Because of that belief, Mary Blair went on to become one of the most influential artists in Disney history.

And honestly? There’s a pretty powerful social-emotional learning lesson in that.

The SEL Lesson Mary Blair Teaches Us

Mary Blair reminds us that being different is often the very thing that makes someone special. That’s a message our students need to hear.

In a world where kids sometimes feel pressure to fit in, Mary Blair’s story is a reminder that creativity, individuality, and unique perspectives are strengths, not weaknesses.

That makes her a perfect inspiration for a simple SEL activity about uniqueness and self-expression.

Activity: “My Colors Make Me Unique”

K–2 Version

Give students a worksheet with a simple shape (castle, heart, or star).

Instructions:

• Use unexpected colors

• Color the picture in a way no one else would

• Add patterns or shapes

Prompt:

“There is no wrong way to color this. Your creativity is the magic.”

3–6 Version

Students create their own “Mary Blair–inspired world.”

They draw:

• A landscape

• Buildings

• Trees

• People

Rules:

• Use colors that don’t normally go together

• Add simple shapes and patterns

Reflection writing prompt:

One way I am unique is ______.

Being unique helps me because ______.

Closing Reflection (3 minutes)

Ask students:

• What made your artwork unique?

• Did anyone else’s picture look exactly the same?