This article describes the theoretical and practical aspects of peculiarities of development of creative abilities of pupils in primary and secondary schools of the state institution "School-Lyceum №8 for talented children" of Pavlodar". The article proves the need and possibility of use in extracurricular activities of the course "Art therapy" to enhance the level of development of creative abilities of pupils. During the experiment it was proved that not only creative abilities, but emotsionalno-volitional sphere develops in the process of studying the material in this course. The findings suggest that creative abilities of pupils of elementary and secondary fcoli develop in activities.