5 Steps to Raising Creative Kids

Kids can be very creative - if we let them.  However, some toys and activities are better than others at increasing a child's level of creativity.  Crafts are one example of toys that allow children to do just this.  Crafts are a great way for kids to show off their creativity because using your imagination is the only rule that applies.  Plus, kids and crafts go together naturally.  

However, it's not enough to simply give your children some crafts to do.  You might find that they need a little more help.  So, here are 5 things that you can do to get your kids to be more creative.

Forget the rules.  Let your kids experiment without having to worry about how things should be done.  Let them mix different colours together, put different types of beads on the same string, make clothes for their dolls or whatever else they want to try.  The best part of experimenting is seeing what will happen next!
Leave free time in their schedule.  Don't try to plan out every minute by filling it with activities, lessons, practice times or sports.  Let your child do whatever they want to just play and be a kid.
Examine their toys.  Some toys explain how they must be played with.  Ditch them now!  Give your child toys or crafts that need them to use their imagination; for example: beads, building blocks, crayons, paint, play dough, or whatever else you can find.  My favourite toy as a child was play dough because I could make it be anything or any shape that I wanted it to be.
Make time to play together as a family.  Not only will it create great memories that will last a lifetime, but it's also a great way to bond together.  Here are some things that you can do during "family play time":


Create your own games.  Create games or obstacle courses from items you can find around the house, create your own rules and then sit down and play a game together.
Play charades.  Write up your own scenes or objects to act out and have other family members guess.
Tell your kids to put on a play for you.  Whether they are the actors or they make their own puppets to use in the play, you should sit down and be prepared to be amazed!
Make up your own stories for story time.  You start off and every once in a while, you can ask your kids what they want to have happen next.


Let them get messy.  Whether they are baking, painting or playing outside in the mud, let them make a mess.  Put newspaper or plastic sheets on the floor so that clean up will be a breeze.  If kids don't have to worry about getting in trouble, they can relax and let their imagination take over.