Seven Smart Ways to Spark Your Child’s Creativity
Every parent has experienced this: You need a few minutes to relax and cook dinner, but your kids are waiting for something interesting from you to occupy their time. It’s so easy to hand them an iPad or a gaming system, but when it’s time to eat, they don’t want to take their eyes off the screen, which can lead to a nervous breakdown. You start to feel like they’ve lost some of their imagination (and perhaps some of their vision) as they get sucked into the game they’re playing.
Luckily, there are some easy (and fun) ways to break this all-too-familiar routine. Here are seven ideas to help you ignite your child’s creative fire.
Let them draw something
Both of my boys love to draw but run out of ideas after a while (there aren’t many Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club books to inspire them). I stay ready with an artistic tip or two if their creative sources dry up, like something they could invent or a scene from their favorite movie or video game.
Let your children lead
If you’ve ever watched the Blues series, then you know that the games played by the Heeler family are often initiated by the main character of the cartoon and her sister, Bingo. While this often turns out pretty badly for their father, Bandit, it doesn’t have to be the same for you. If your kids want to play with you, let them lead the way and tell them that you will follow all their rules. You may be amazed at where things are going.
Change the rules
Games can be fun, but sometimes my kids want to climb the gutters and slide down the stairs. If you want to shake up your board game routine, throw away the instruction manual and let your kids make up their own rules. Who knows? You might like the new way to play even more.
Take them to the theater
We’re not saying you should take them to The Lion King on Broadway – you can stay at home this time. Both of my sons somehow managed to turn open mail envelopes, socks, and other things in the house into compelling characters in some impromptu avant-garde play that would confuse surrealists like David Lynch. All they need is an audience and I enjoy every moment of their performance. If they really enjoy it, most cities have a family-oriented theater troupe and usually offer fun crafts and games to take home.
Teach them to recycle
I see an empty box that once held 12 cans of Zero Coke, but my sons see another castle spire they built for an imaginary dragon. This styrofoam and cardboard box construction gives them more joy than anything they got from Santa this year, and they built it themselves. Bottom line: think twice before throwing everything in the trash and let your kids train to be the next Frank Lloyd Wright.
Ask them to help with dinner and change the recipe
Instead of leaving them alone while you cook dinner, ask them to help you prepare their favorite dish. This will not only teach them to be self-sufficient, but it will also teach them where their food comes from and take pride in what they cook (especially picky eaters). And for extra creativity, both of you can find ways to change the recipe by adding a new ingredient or substituting a different one.
Or just let them get bored
Those are two words every parent doesn’t want to hear from their kids on a quiet Sabbath: “I’m bored!” Recently, when my boys told me about it, I said, “I’m sorry to hear that.” It’s because I finally understood what they were trying to say, “We don’t want to find something to do.” By allowing them to find their own business, I teach them to become self-reliant and use their imagination to find entertainment on their own.