Let Them Create! Creative Ways to Spark a Child’s Imagination
We must teach our children everything. Even though we are told—or maybe just expect—that children have these grand imaginations, sometimes they need some inspiration or springboards to get them started. Many times, they need a chance to be bored and a box of potential for some time to create. On the flip side, most of the time my mind feels like it has a dozen browser tabs open, so it’s helpful to have some fresh ideas to pull from to help me help my children have the opportunity to be more creative.
With the younger crowd, availability is key. Everything is still new and fresh for them because they haven’t used crayons, markers, paints or play-dough before! Keep handy an art bin filled with different art supplies and paper, and they should be set. To keep things fresh, cycle in some stickers, glue sticks, stamps, pipe cleaners and tape. Pinterest has a lot of ideas on invitation tubs that rotate throughout the week for your child to discover either in the morning or after a nap. Bins can hold different types of blocks, dress-up clothes, dinosaurs, musical instruments, or even feature sensory items such as water beads, kinetic sand and play-dough.
Another way to keep those imaginations growing is to try new and unusual ways to be creative. Let them tape paper under the table and draw lying on their backs, or use window markers to decorate the windows. Create a challenge for them such as drawing something that begins with each letter of the alphabet or using a Lego book to inspire new creations. Sometimes, simply a change of scenery can spark creativity. Take some notebooks and colored pencils and have a picnic in the backyard or a park while you create.
You can also employ unusual materials, like apples or potatoes as stamps or even things destined to leave your house. KC Parent’s digital media manager, Kristina Light, suggests. “My girls love to ‘play with the recycle bin.’ I’ll let them peruse whatever they find in the bin to make things. My second daughter loves to make mini-villages from the recycle bin using Pringles cans as a tower, cereal boxes for the cardboard, and other items for turrets and bridges. The non-traditional craft supplies are endless!”
Allyce Trusheim, mother of two and elementary art teacher, says, “When boredom strikes, creativity takes over. Let your kids be bored; you’ll be amazed at what they find to occupy their time. My kids frequently find ways to reinvent the items destined for the garbage or recycling bins.”
Sometimes, kids just need us to show them how to be creative. If we take a few minutes to show them how to do something or use a new art supply, then they can take off on their own. “When I was teaching, I noticed confidence and creativity tend to go hand in hand. When I was teaching writing, the class would completely prewrite, write and illustrate a mini-book together. Then I would get them started on brainstorming their own version and send them on their way! When they had done it before, they could be creative in what the story was since they knew how to do it,” says Amanda Wetterson, mom of two and former teacher. “Now, when I take the time to make something with my own kids, like drawing a huge golf course for example, they will then snowball off of that idea on their own for a lot of projects.”
Along the same lines, if your children are a little older and past the coloring book stage, let them find some drawing tutorials online or watch a cooking show and be inspired to try their hand at something new. We often lump technology under the screen time category, but allow your kids the opportunity to be creative with technology. Let them type their story or a play, let them take and edit digital photos, or encourage them to make their own movie.
Music is another creative outlet older children may take interest in. Parents generally dread the year the recorders come home, but music is a wonderful way for children to try new things and express themselves. If you’re up for it, let them try some music lessons for piano, voice, guitar or violin. Look into instrument rentals before a big investment in case your child loses interest and wants to try something else instead. My older two children began lessons when they turned 5 and practiced (almost) daily. My daughter added guitar about three years later.
As parents, we need to take a minute of our time to invest in teaching our children a new way to be creative or setting up a new bin of inspiration to allow for (hopefully) an hour or so of letting their imaginations run wild. Teaching children trial and error and that practice makes perfect can show them they can actually do things if they put their minds to it, a realization that builds confidence that will help in all areas of their lives.
“Don’t be afraid of messes,” Trusheim says. “Creativity is a messy process!” If you’d prefer a break from the creative messes, check out Kaleidoscope, Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City, or sign your child up for some creative classes through your local rec center. You might also check out a make-your-own pottery place like Paint Glaze & Fire Ceramics and Coffee House in Overland Park.
Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 9, Mason, 7, and Slade, 4, and enjoys crafting with her children but still needs to breathe through the mess that comes along with it most days.