Looking for ways to encourage creative play? These 7 simple tips will help your kiddo play and enjoy!

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s.  I was paid for this post and received the included Carter’s clothing as compensation.

Let's talk creative play.  Between tablets  and tv, I often worry that Lydia (and kids in general) are losing their sense of imagination.  Not to sound like I'm talking about walking uphill to school both ways in the snow….but I feel like I'm constantly talking about playing outside for hours when I was a child.  I extended my own play, I played dress up, I explored, and I engaged in creative play.

Recently, I made it a goal in our family to spend a certain amount of time everyday playing without the use of technology.  I knew this would help Lydia (and myself), and would encourage us to engage in more creative play.

Shop our outfits
Lydia: / dress (Carter's via Kohl's) / knee socks / shoes (similar) /
Mommy: / dress (similar) / boots (similar) / choker /
photos by Tiffany Ellis Photo

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Creative Play:

1. Encourage dramatic play, keep a variety of wardrobe changes and costumes at hand.  Allow your little one to self select pieces to wear and to create their own world surrounding their outfits.
2. Open Ended Activities: Use blank paper versus a coloring page, keep bins of art supplies on hand.  A blank canvas allows for massive amounts of creativity!
3. Focus on process, not results: Use positive reinforcement to encourage creativity and imagination instead of a perfect finished product.  Phrases like “I love seeing how you CREATE” or “It's so fun to play dress up with you” or “I love hearing you make your own music” will encourage your child to create and explore.
4. Be an observer, not a director: You do not need to orchestrate your child's play choices.  Let them wear hats on their knees and skirts on their arms.  Set up an area with tools and toys….and let your child explore.
5. Avoid toys that play FOR your child: I'm a firm believer in moderation.  We watch SOME tv, we use SOME electronics.  But I think it's important to select SOME parts of the day without electronics or toys that play for your child.
6. Play WITH your child: Sit on the floor and build block towers WITH your child.  Sit side by side and create your own art projects.  It's important for your child to see YOU enjoying creative play.
7. Expose your child to different forms of creativity: concerts, museums, group art classes, dance class……these are all amazing ways to encourage creativity and creative play.

These pictures are from one of our favorite trips to my husband's alma mater, before taking Lydia to see kids' concert.  From start to finish, we had a blast preparing for such a fun, creative activity.  My favorite part? We took a trip to Kohl's (we were on vacation and didn't have clothes prepared for the concert), and let Lydia pick out her own concert attire.  Was I the only one who didn't realize that Carter's clothing is also available at Kohl's?  From cute dresses to great play clothes…..Carter's makes clothes that are perfect for every type of play.  Lydia selected this adorable gingham dress, and she's been begging to wear it everyday since (I can't blame her….it's SO cute!) And me? I selected a simple swing dress and boots that can be worn a million different ways.

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What is your favorite type of creative play?

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fun family activities