My own ds enjoys making things both at school and at home. He has won trophey's at our local village fete for handicraft entries.
I also have equal numbers of boys and girls at the art&craft club I run at school (ages 7-11). I do a wide range of activities and as long as they're not 'girlie' the boys are happy to join in with all the projects I've done so far.
For example we made finger puppets last week. I gave them templates, felt material, glue and lots of bits to stick on (wool, eyes, pipe cleaners etc) and let them get on with it. The girls made princesses, butterflies and fluffy dogs. The boys made aliens, ninja, spiders and ghosts. The older boys actually requested needle and thread so they could stitch their puppets rather than glue them!
When we did air drying clay the boys made things like penguins, turtles and snakes. And when we do painting or drawing they tend to do cars, aliens, dinosaurs. I put out a range of colouring pictures too, the girls go for mermaids and barbie, the boys go for spiderman and pirates. Though both seems to like scoobydoo.
What I'm trying to say is that if you're hoping for fluffy, cute and pretty things with nice matching colours then think again!
I find some of the boys have trouble deciding what to make and need more encouragement and ideas of possible options. The girls tend to be more perfectionist and when it goes 'wrong' or they don't like the results want to start all over again!
I tend to also fine most of the children that come to my art group (boys and girls) are not the sporty kind and don't want to join the after school sports clubs. But they love art group and can't wait to find out what's next week activity and are really upset if they miss it for any reason.
Saying that I think most children given the opportunity and encouragement like to have a go. A lot of parents don't like messy stuff like paint and glue at home. I'm happy to do it and friends children often go home having made something here, even those you wouldn't think would give it a try.
I still have paintings and drawings on the wall my son did at playschool and I have a cabinet full of clay models, loo roll creations, wool weaving masterpieces etc. He knows I am very proud of whatever he makes.
My sister does encourage her children to do it, but tends to micromanage them and grab the paintbrush if they start going too beserk and 'spoiling' it. Their results tend to be far too perfect for children of their ages imo.
If your ds is into creating things then by all means encourage him. But let him go where he wants with it. Whatever the results hang them on the wall and show them off. He'll be wanting to make more in no time. Well once he's old enough to hold a paintbrush or crayon.
Word of warning though. It's worth spending the extra money on washable felt tip pens. Oh and paint doesn't always come out even when it's meant to washable!
Gilly