We all want to have more creative kids right? You know, the kind who can turn an empty cardboard box into a spaceship, a time machine, or an elaborate fort, not just stare at a screen and absorb YouTube videos like they’re oxygen. I’m not talking about kids who draw a stick figure and call it a masterpiece (although we’ll definitely display it on the fridge). I’m talking about kids who use their imaginations like magic wands and create entire worlds out of thin air.
vPhoto by Natalya Zaritskaya
But how do you get there? How do you actually encourage creativity when every piece of technology within a 10-mile radius is fighting for your kid’s attention? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are some easy, fun, and totally doable ways to foster creativity in your little ones without pulling your hair out (too much).
- Let Them Get Bored (Seriously, It’s Not Child Neglect)
These days, most of us parents think that we need to keep our kids entertained pretty much the whole time they are awake, right? We are constantly arranging for them to have play dates or museum visits or trips to the park, and of course, kids do need this kind of enrichment but you know what they also need? Time to be bored.
After all, being bored will not hurt your kids, and actually it will force them to use their own imaginations more in order to find things that relieve that boredom, remember when you were a kid? You’d have tons of downtime stuck in the house or yard with nothing to do, right? What did you do? You made your own fun building rocket ships out of cardboard boxes or interviewing your dolls like they were celebrities. This was really good for your creativity, so let your creative kids experience the same!
- Embrace the Messy Art Projects (Yes, Even Glitter)
If you’ve ever dealt with glitter, you already know it’s the herpes of the craft world—it never goes away. But, messy art projects are where creativity really thrives. Let your creative kids play with paints, clay, markers, and (gulp) glitter. Sure, it might look like a unicorn threw up in your living room, but that’s where the magic happens.
Give them access to all kinds of art supplies and let them go wild. The key here is not to micromanage. If your child wants to color outside the lines or paint the sky green, let them. Creativity has no rules—except, of course, that they have to help clean up when they’re done. (This is non-negotiable if you want your sanity intact.)
- Introduce Pretend Play
Ah, the good ol’ days of pretending. Remember when you could be a superhero, a chef, a pirate, or a teacher—sometimes all before lunchtime? That’s what pretend play is all about, and it’s essential for developing creativity in kids, as you will see if you read: Pretend Play: What It Is, Importance, And How To Foster.
Pretend play lets kids explore different roles, scenarios, and perspectives. It’s like creativity boot camp for their brains. Plus, it’s fun. To foster it, you don’t need to buy fancy costumes or props (although, if you have them, awesome!). You just need to encourage your creative kids to use their imagination. That cardboard box I mentioned earlier? Hand it to your kid and ask them what it could be. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with.
The best part? You get to be a part of their world too. Jump into their pretend play every now and then. Be a customer at their pretend restaurant or a passenger on their pirate ship. It’s good for bonding and gives them confidence in their storytelling skills.
- Give Them Space (Literal and Figurative)
Kids need room to let their imaginations run wild—both physically and mentally. Create a space in your home that’s dedicated to creativity. It doesn’t have to be a massive art studio or playroom. A little corner with a craft table, some supplies, and a few dress-up items will do the trick.
But beyond the physical space, they also need the freedom to explore their ideas without feeling like every moment is being watched and critiqued. Let them experiment with new ideas, even if it means they build a robot out of spaghetti and cardboard. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s exploration.
Photo by Ben Wicks
- Encourage Curiosity (Even When the Questions Drive You Crazy)
“Why is the sky blue?” “How do airplanes fly?” “Why can’t we just live at the zoo?” I get it, kids ask approximately 2,482 questions a day. It can get exhausting. But instead of giving them a quick answer (or worse, telling them to Google it), use it as an opportunity to spark creativity.
Encourage their curiosity. Ask them what they think the answer is before you jump in with facts. Get them thinking critically and imagining all kinds of possibilities. This is how future inventors, scientists, and writers are made. And who knows? Maybe one of their wild ideas will actually make sense (or at least give you a good laugh).
- Limit Screen Time (But Don’t Ban It Completely)
Look, I’m not going to tell you to cut out screen time entirely because that’s just not realistic (and sometimes, you need 20 minutes to yourself, I get it). But moderation is key. If your kid is glued to a screen 24/7, they’re not exercising their creative muscles nearly enough.
Try to keep screen time in check by designating certain hours for TV or tablets. In the time between, encourage them to do other things—draw, build, run around outside, whatever floats their boat. You can even make it a game: “How long can you go without asking for screen time?” You’d be surprised how much fun they have when they realize they don’t need a device to stay entertained.
- Show Them That Mistakes Are Part of the Process
One of the biggest creativity killers is the fear of making mistakes. Kids are often afraid to try new things because they don’t want to mess up. But if you want to raise a creative kid, you’ve got to teach them that failure is part of the process.
When your child tries something new and it doesn’t work out (like their grand attempt at inventing a hoverboard out of cardboard), don’t get frustrated. Instead, celebrate the effort. Encourage them to try again or come up with a new idea. The more they see mistakes as opportunities to learn, the more willing they’ll be to take risks—and that’s where creativity really shines.
- Get Them Outside and Into Nature
There’s something about nature that makes creativity come alive. Whether it’s a walk through the woods, a trip to the beach, or just playing in the backyard, being outside gives creative kids space to dream, imagine, and explore.
Encourage them to collect rocks, leaves, and sticks, and then turn those things into art or build something with them. Maybe they’ll make a fairy house, or maybe they’ll invent a whole new ecosystem. Whatever they do, getting outside is a great way to inspire creativity—and it gets them off the couch, which is always a win.
- Expose Them to Different Forms of Art and Culture
Creativity isn’t just about drawing and painting (although those are great!). It’s about seeing the world in new and different ways. Expose your creative kids to all kinds of art, music, and culture. Take them to museums, concerts, theater performances, and festivals. Show them that creativity comes in many forms.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy experiences either. There are tons of free or low-cost options out there. And if leaving the house isn’t on the agenda, YouTube is your friend (this is one of the rare times I’ll endorse screen time).
Let your kids explore different cultures, music genres, and art forms. Who knows? Maybe they’ll become obsessed with Japanese animation or classical music. Or maybe they’ll just love smashing pots and pans together to make their own “music.” Either way, it’s all part of fostering their creative spirit.
- Encourage Collaboration (But Also Let Them Work Solo)
Creativity can be a team sport, but sometimes it’s a solo mission. Encourage your kids to collaborate with friends, siblings, or even you on creative projects. Building a fort together or working on a group art project teaches them teamwork and helps them see how different ideas can come together to create something even better.
At the same time, let them have their solo creative time too. Give them space to dream up their own projects without outside interference. Both collaboration and solo play have their place in the creative process, so make room for both.
- Read, Read, Read (And Then Read Some More)
Books are one of the best ways to fuel creativity. Reading opens up new worlds, introduces new ideas, and inspires kids to imagine their own stories. Make reading a regular part of your child’s day. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a trip to the library, or a cozy weekend afternoon with a stack of picture books, reading is a surefire way to encourage creativity.
Don’t just stick to one genre either. Mix it up with fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and even non-fiction. The more variety, the better. And don’t be afraid to get silly with it. Do the voices, act out the scenes, and get your kids involved in the story. It’ll spark their imagination and might just inspire them to create their own tales.
Raising creative kids isn’t just something that would be nice, it is something that is really important if you want your children to be as happy and fulfilled as possible, and have as many opportunities in life as possible, so what are you waiting for?
