Getting your kids to embrace their creative sides and learn something new can be a struggle, especially if they are stuck in the same routine every day with little variation.
Encouraging creativity in children can be an ongoing challenge, especially if they’re not naturally imaginative or your busy schedule doesn’t allow enough time to engage in creative activities. However, by giving your kids plenty of opportunities to interact with their environment through all five senses, you can nurture their creativity and help them foster the confidence they need to try new things throughout life.
If you want to help your children develop their creativity and keep them interested in learning, try these ideas out. They’ll be proud of what they can do, and it might open up a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities for them. The following ideas will help you get started.
1) Read Books that Inspire Creativity
Kids who read frequently tend to be more creative than those who don’t. Reading about a variety of topics is especially beneficial for fostering creativity—in addition to books, encourage your kids to pick up nonfiction, like biographies or guides that are relevant to their interests. If you don’t have time for leisure reading, no worries. There are plenty of children’s books on the subject of creativity. Ask your local bookstore for a recommendation.
2) Encourage Free Drawing Time
Allow your child to spend time doodling, coloring, and scribbling whenever they feel like it—without any expectations or pressure. Studies show that even adults who are asked to free-draw pictures score better on tests measuring creativity than those who draw under pressure. It’s not a contest; give them plenty of space to play around with different media like crayons, markers, paint, and watch their confidence soar.
3) Encourage Role Play
By encouraging your children to explore their imaginations, you’re helping them develop creative problem-solving skills that will make them more employable in adulthood. But do we think creatively every day? Not necessarily. Therefore, encourage role-play activities throughout your day with games like make-believe, dress-up, and inventing new scenarios.
4) Take Them in After School Care
Keep your child engaged and active by signing them up for a creative after-school care program. They’ll learn from an experienced instructor and meet new friends that are interested in similar activities. After-school programs are often fun and engaging for children—and give you some extra time during working hours.
5) Ask Your Kids Questions in Creative Ways
Children are bursting with creativity and ideas, and parents can help inspire more of that by encouraging their children to think differently. Many parents have fun asking their kids questions such as “What would happen if you could fly?” but don’t realize that their question alone isn’t enough. Instead, parents should look for creative ways of helping kids answer questions on their own without answers like I don’t know or I’m not sure.
6) Go on Weekend Adventures Together
The great thing about weekend getaways is that you can incorporate physical activity into your child’s routine without them feeling like they are. Trips up to your local ski resort or hiking on a nearby trail will give your kids a new perspective on their environment and encourage them to see their world in a whole new way. If you don’t live near any outdoor recreation areas, why not organize an adventure closer to home? Have everyone pack a bag with just enough supplies for a day trip—and then take off to explore an area they may have never known existed.
7) Let Them Make Mistakes and Learn from Them
Allow your child a space where they can create with limited direction from you. This is not about leaving them alone with a box of crayons; it’s about providing space for independent projects that can come out anywhere between lackluster and glorious. If a project doesn’t turn out how you planned, don’t edit or redo it. Instead, point out areas they could improve on next time around. Since children learn best through real-world experience, support their drive to build things and approach problems creatively by giving them room to try things their way first.
8) Give Them a Chance to Lead the Way
One way to get your child’s creative juices flowing is by letting them lead. By giving them more responsibilities and decision-making power at home, you can help your kids develop a sense of independence and leadership skills. The only caveat: make sure you provide clear expectations and let them know that messing up isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an opportunity for growth.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult for children to find time to be creative. Encouraging them to try new things and take on new challenges is essential not only because they learn valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives but also because they have fun along the way. With just a little extra effort on your part, you can help your child discover passions and talents that will last a lifetime.
