My 10-year old daughter, Jemma, is a creative dreamer with artist traits. Like the Lady Gaga song says, she was born this way, but I also intentionally provide a rich environment for her dreamer traits to flourish and thrive. Here are the specific ways I encourage my child's dreamer traits to sparkle into a brilliance all her own that you can do with your own children, too. 1. Spark … [Read more...]
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Word Inventing Activity
Readers love Willy Wonka's (of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) mouth-watering sweet inventions. The author, Roald Dahl, emphasizes invention in this story and not just with savory candies; he also invents delicious words. Words such as scrumdiddlyumptious, hornswogglers, snozzwangers, and whangdoodles. They're silly, absurd, wacky and 100% invented words! We've been inspired by Charlie and the … [Read more...]
Christmas Gifts for Kids That Spark Imagination
This year I'm looking to buy Christmas gifts for my kids that spark their imaginations. Gifts that encourage creativity and pretend play. Gifts like these . . . Christmas Gifts for Kids . . . That Spark Imagination 1. Samantha’s Starter Collection - Doll and Book Samantha Parkington is BACK! She's kind, generous, and always ready to make a new friend. She has sparkling brown eyes that open … [Read more...]
Gifts to Spark a Child’s Imagination
Let's talk giving gifts that will encourage imagination and pretend play. I've been searching for the best recommendations for you -- products that are new, exciting, and open-ended. See what you think! Give Artsy Gifts 1. Spirograph Deluxe Design Set Mix designs and patterns to create unique images using the gears and Spirograph. 2. Rainbow Loom In case you don't already have this -- … [Read more...]
The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children
Are you a fan of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron? Because, if so, you'll be thrilled that Cameron just released, The Artist's Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children, with co-writer, Emma Lively. Why does our creative spirit matter as parents? Well, Cameron writes (and I underlined and starred!,) "Isolation as a parent takes two forms: one is being alienated from friends, and the … [Read more...]
Best Art and Creative Gifts for Kids
I know for sure that children are artists. So, I've found some great ideas to share with you that will keep your child imagining, creating, and drawing. Use them for holiday gifts or anytime gifts ideas. Hopefully, they'll spark lots of creativity and fun! TAPEFETTI FASHION DESIGN CHALLENGE Young fashionistas will be completely over the moon about this Project Runway® fashion design kit that … [Read more...]
Creativity and the Lego Story
This month, LEGO celebrated 80 years with an animated story of it's wooden toy beginning and transition to plastic bricks. I love how the story exemplifies the essentials of creativity - failure, perseverance, design thinking. Plus, it's really interesting. Both my kids (7 and 10) were mesmerized. Don't you want to invent something now? READ: StoryStarter Kit from LEGO … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Raising a Creative Child
Just kidding. There isn't a five step process for raising a creative child. It's is not linear, not black and white, or right or wrong. (What a relief!) In fact, your child is already creative. (So are you!) Today, I can't give you steps but I can give you ideas to help your child's creativity blossom and grow into maturity . . . Conditions for Creativity Parents can create … [Read more...]
Toys That Require Imagination . . . Cardboard
Kids are naturally wired to play and imagine. But when we (I'm guilty of this myself) give them tons of toys that do everything, they don't need to imagine anything. So give your kids a cardboard challenge - to find the hidden objects in the boxes like Michelangelo did with blocks of granite. The boxes require imagination. They won't do anything without it. Cardboard! It's NOT a box, but it … [Read more...]
Make Your Playful Life Easier: Kiwi Crate
If you're a family that loves creative play and learning, you'll love Kiwi Crate. Hours of fun per dollar spent, it's an investment that really is worth your money. I love it because of . . . clear, kid-friendly directions. engaging and interesting to my kids of different ages. plenty of supplies --you can do the activities several times over. high-quality materials. Look at these … [Read more...]
How to Spark Your Own Creativity (in Parenting and Life)
The Alphabet Glue e-magazine reminds me that surrounding myself with creativity makes me better -- a better parent, artist, writer. When I see ideas on Pinterest, they often spark other ideas. Or, when I'm talking to my husband about the seed of an idea, the two of us get something more amazing. Or, when I'm reading a creative literacy-themed magazine like Alphabet Glue, it sparks more creative … [Read more...]
Star Wars Day & Other Fascinating Topics
Thanks so much for welcoming all my guest posters this past week! I enjoyed a jam-packed trip to Washington D.C. where I spent 3 days at Mom Congress, 1 day sight-seeing (aching feet!), 1 evening gallivanting at the Reading is Fundamental gala, and 1/2 day of meetings. (I'm more introverted than extroverted so don't expect spoken words for several days. Need. To. Rest.) Did you see that May 4th … [Read more...]