10 Inexpensive Ways to Spark a Child’s Imagination

Kids have amazing imaginations. It doesn’t take much to spark an idea that turns into an entire imaginary world that keeps them busy for hours. What may seem like simple fun is actually really important for development and can motivate kids to be physically active.

Neurologists note that when kids flex their imagination muscles it supports cognitive development, social development and creative thinking. Pretend games are particularly important from the ages of 2-7 years old. In a world where kids let expensive electronics do much of the imagining, parents and health experts are beginning to wonder how it will impact their development now and in the future.

If you want to separate your kids from screens and augment their imagination try a few of these inexpensive options:

Play Clothes

Children take the saying “you are what you wear” to heart. By putting on a pair of glasses and picking up a stick in the yard they can instantly transform themselves into Harry Potter or one of his friends. Kids superhero capes will turn a normal afternoon into an adventure with the Avengers or Justice League. With a trunk of play clothes it’s like Halloween all year long.

Cardboard Boxes

At some point there will come a holiday or birthday when you realize your kid is more enthused by the box a gift came in than the gift itself. The great news is you don’t even have to buy something to score cardboard boxes that kids can use to create forts, robot bodies and anything else they can dream up.

Chalk

A few pieces of chalk can turn a regular sidewalk or driveway into a work of art. Because chalk is easy to clean up, kids have the freedom to go nuts with their artistic endeavors.

Bubbles

The look of wonder kids get when they’re blowing bubbles says it all. They can spend an entire afternoon finding ways to create bubbles and running around popping them.

Pen and Paper

If your kid likes dreaming up worlds and characters, encourage them to put their thoughts down on paper. For a dollar or two, kids can chronicle their imaginative stories and then turn them into a game or play.

Books

Reading is great for stress relief because it provides a distraction. We get immersed into the imaginary world, which prompts our brain to imagine all of the things we’re reading. Encourage kids to read on their own by creating a reading nook in the house and make bedtime stories part of your regular nightly routine.

Story Cards

Another way to help kids use their imagination is story cards. Each card has a picture that serves as inspiration for the story. Kids can simply pick one card as a jumping off point or select a series of cards to create a unique tale. Once they’re done you can shuffle the deck and start over.

Homemade Tent

If you have a few old sheets that rarely get used you can repurpose them into a cheap homemade tent. This will give kids a space of their own outdoors where they can feel free to play and have a sense of inner space. Authors like Pam Allyn note that designating spaces for imaginative play is critical for encouraging creativity.

Sock Puppets

All a kid needs is a $5 pack of socks and some markers to create their own puppet show. Sock puppets aren’t just a creative artistic endeavor. They also allow kids to come up with characters that interact with one another and develop stories surround each one. Kids can also add in other household items to supplement the puppet show.

An Old Camera

Looking at the world through a lens can definitely spark the imagination. Even if the camera no longer works kids will have a blast finding cool things to take “pictures” of around the house and yard. If the camera does work they can continue to use their imagination to create a collage with the images they capture.

Overall you’ll want to look for toys and games that allow kids to direct the play rather than being passive participants or observers. All it takes is a little imaginative thinking!