With so much emphasis put on class work, common core curriculum, and even homework, creative thinking can get pushed to the bottom of the barrel for kids, even kindergarteners.
The days of playing and coloring all day in kindergarten seem to be long gone. They’ve been replaced with activities that were long reserved for kids in other grades. But, that doesn’t mean we turn our backs on creative thinking altogether, does it?
In fact, that’s when parents need to get thinking themselves to get their kids on board the creative train.
If you need some motivation, check out these 7 kindergarten creative thinking activities:
1. Play the what if game
This can be a silly game that can put your little one’s creativity to the test.
In order to play this game, think of funny scenarios that will get those little minds moving.
Here are some examples:
What if cats barked and dogs meowed?
What if you (child) could drive?
What if it was sunny all night and dark all day?
What would happen if horses went moo?
You get the idea. See what your child comes up with – you may be surprised!
2. Dress up with your imagination
You know all of those clothes that you either don’t want any more or don’t fit you or you’re saving for no good reason? Save them and use them as one of your child’s kindergarten creative thinking activities. Here’s how:
Gather all of the clothes and put them in one big pile. It’s a mess that’s worth making, trust me!
Next, tell your child to put together an outfit and put it on. Ask them what they’re dressed up as. You may end up with a princess police officer or a crazy doctor or maybe the next Gucci!
Whatever the case, your child is using his or her imagination to create a unique character.
And if you’re really smart, you’ll get them to play the role of maid and clean up their mess afterwards 🙂 It’s a win-win.
3. Sponge paint
Art is a great way for kids to express their creative thinking. For this activity, go to any craft story and buy sponges that can be used for paint.
Obviously stock up on plenty of colors and paper, then go home and get to work. Let your kids create anything they wish. They’re going to get messy, so just deal with it! It’s all in the name of creativity.
If you want to really challenge them, you can tell them to paint certain objects to see how they envision the world.
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4. Creative role playing
There’s nothing more creative than having kids role play with either stuffed animals or dolls. Here they get to create conversations and situations however they’d like.
This not only lets their imaginations soar, but also helps to build their social skills to see how the little people in their world interact.
Have your child take a couple of stuffed animals and act out whatever they’d like. They can use funny voices and create a whole new world.
5. A new ending
Kids love to hear a good story. But what if you let them create their own ending? That can be even better.
Pick a book, maybe one that isn’t exactly a favorite, so you don’t ruin their favorite ending. That would defeat the purpose.
Read it to your child all the way up to the ending. When you reach that point, stop and ask how they would end it.
Chances are they’ll love their new version much better!
6. Name game
For this game ask the child to name as many things as he or she can that are red, for example. From there ask how many things are shaped like a circle.
Keep going with different examples. You can even keep score and have a competition.
Feel free to go crazy and award little prizes!
7. Sketch & create
This activity requires a trip to the craft store on your part. Grab rolls of very long paper… we’re talking long enough to trace your child’s body.
When you get home, have your child lie on the paper and trace his or her body. Then have him or her fill in the details. It’s interesting to see how kids perceive themselves, and how creative they can be while drawing themselves.
When it comes to kindergarten creative thinking activities, the sky’s the limit. You may even come up with some ideas on a whim as you see where your child’s imagination is taking him!
