I recently tried moving a coffee table into the kitchen for art time.  So easy for the little ones, and for me. I keep bowls of crayons, markers, colored pencils, and stamps for them. At art time the bowls go right on the table and they're all set.  When they decide they're finished they just move on to the next project.

There is a little bit more supervision required, as I don't allow them to wander out of the kitchen with paint or any art supplies, but it's worth it for them to have the freedom to create as they wish.