The Secret to Fostering Creativity in Children (Hint: Go Outside)

If I asked you to do something “creative” I bet you would run for the paint supplies, a drawing pad or maybe something musical. When we ask our children to get creative the same thing happens -  they head straight for the modeling clay, sheets of paper, markers, or a mountain of popsicle sticks.

But what if I told you that true creativity is way different from all of this?

Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with any of the above activities. They all encourage creative and imaginative processing. However, true creativity does need designed activities and more items from our local art supply stores.

Creativity, in its most natural state, is all about freedom. When children are given the freedom to be creative without the restrictions of structured activities, they experience growth that can’t be replicated by the clever craft goodies.

And this freedom is KEY for developing their brains.

The best part is you don’t have to spend tons of money to nurture this experience for your little ones. The great outdoors is all you need!

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our FREE 5-Day Self Love Challenge for Kids (ages 5-11). These creative, science-based exercises will help your child train their brain to become more self-loving, confident, and capable of dealing with challenges and setbacks.

In nature, kids are able to develop their brains through imaginative, innovative, whole-body experiences that research has linked to higher cognitive function. To put it simply, in nature our children are FREE to GROW (especially their brains)! 

How does this work?

The answer is simple. In the natural world, children are provided with a sensory rich and sensory balanced environment. They can touch different textures. Smell the perfumes of the flowers, trees, and leaves. Hear the majestic sounds of the birds, the breeze rustling the leaves creating musical tones. They can see colors that are beyond what is available in a paint pallet.  And if they are lucky enough, they can eat fruit from the trees.

The natural world affords children the opportunity to be CREATIVE and IMAGINATIVE with all that is before them. Children can generate ideas, take the lead, problem solve, take risks, and develop their self-confidence.

A stick is no longer a stick - it is a wand, a sword, a spoon for stirring muddy soup. Their teacher did not tell them what to do with that stick nor did mom and dad determine its use – what the stick becomes is entirely their own idea. According to Angela J. Hanscom, Author of Balanced and Barefoot, all of this helps children to “form important neural (brain) connections.”

3 Tips to Nurture Creativity in the Natural World

Today, many parents find it a struggle to get their children outside. Angela J. Hanscom, author of Balanced and Barefoot, states “the amount of time children spend in unstructured play has decreased by 50%.” While many factors may contribute to this, perhaps the most common is that in our high-tech modern world, we are becoming less conscious of our need for nature.

So, what can you do to inspire your child to get excited about being outside?

1. Turn off all devices

Set sometime aside each day and make a NO SCREEN time rule! Create a time-limit and a safe space for exploration and innovation.

2. Let them see you outside

It is a case of monkey see, monkey do! If your child sees you enjoying nature and developing a connection with it, they might also want to. Show them how to appreciate the colors, the sounds, the textures. Talk about the outdoors with them. Spark their curiosity.

3. Create nature spaces

Re-evaluate your outdoor space. Are there opportunities for free, unstructured play outside where your child can create, invent, and explore? Sometimes all it takes is a mud kitchen, a sandpit, or a vegetable garden to inspire curiosity and creativity.

If your living space is without a yard, you can research local playgrounds, national parks, and natural spaces where your child can put their creativity to work. It is also important you and your child understand the risks of the outdoors in your region, so your child can safely play with a sense of freedom.

Don't forget to download our FREE 5-Day Self-Love Challenge for Kids (ages 5-11) to help your child become more self-loving and confident!

Nature-Based Creativity Boosting Activities

Now let’s look at some age-specific activity ideas you can explore with your child.

AGE 0-5

Nature Paint Brushes

This is a great way to introduce smaller children to exploring with natural materials. By simply gathering twigs and sticks and a handful of the leafiest parts from a variety of plants, you can create your very own textured homemade paint brushes.

Watch as your child’s expression and imagination come alive! This is also beneficial for their fine motor development and eye and hand coordination.

Nature Crowns

Every child loves to role-play and get into character! So grab a tote bag, put on some outdoor gear, and go on a nature walk with your child. Gather safe materials that capture your child’s attention, such as sticks, flowers or bark.

Using recycled paper, cut strips to fit the circumference of your child’s head and invite your child to glue their nature collection onto the paper. Once dry, your King or Queen can have some fun ruling the world with their Nature Crown!

Role-playing builds confidence, creativity, communication skills and allows children to problem-solve and try new things.

AGE 5-8

Sticks

Sticks are known as the World’s Oldest Toy providing endless opportunities to develop creativity and to have fun! Sticks allow children to engage in unstructured and free-play, which is the perfect recipe for a child’s creativity - just keep an eye on the little ones!

Nature Walk

This could be as simple as a neighborhood walk, or a planned hike on a trail. Observe the weather, the sounds of the birds and the texture and smells in the air. To make it a little more fun, ask your child to bring a small art journal and a pencil so they can draw their observations!

Mud Kitchen

Mud Kitchens are a great way for your child to engage their senses, think creatively, problem-solve and effectively communicate with others through the process of role-playing. Children can also develop their mathematical skills through measuring and mixing various sand and water quantities too.

An unexpected bonus: happy hours of sampling mud pies and mud soups that have been ‘specially’ made – just for you!

Recyclable Materials

Create a safe space in your backyard and provide age-appropriate recycling materials such as cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, and egg cartons. Your child will be able to spend endless hours creating forts, cubby houses, boats, and other fascinating pieces of architecture and design. This will help your child to develop their confidence, take risks, and to be innovative! 

AGE 8-11

This age group tends to be trickier to navigate as nature must compete with technology. However, as suggested by Richard Louv, author of Vitamin N, the aim should not be to get rid of technology altogether but to allow children to experience nature to the fullest and use technology where appropriate.

Stargazing

Grab a blanket. Some snacks. And lay outside in the backyard and observe the sky. To make it a little more high-tech, grab the telescope. Encourage your child to write down in a notebook what they observe in the sky.

Wildlife and Landscape Photography

If your child loves visual creativity, provide opportunities for them to take photos in their own backyard, the forest, or a national park. Encourage them to observe the trees, flowers, bugs, or birds. Print the photos! Create a fun vernissage at home to show off your child’s creativity to family and friends.

Nature Art

Create nature inspired art pieces. Make stick animals, leaf faces, landscapes from sticks, leaves and flower petals. Create your own nature-based textile patterns by tapping flower petals into sheets of cloth. Design costumes. Create insects with acorns, gum nuts, and sticks. Nature art provides endless creative possibilities.

Be sure to check out our Growth Mindset Conversation Cards to help build family connections. This beautifully illustrated deck of cards offers 52 interesting questions to help kids and grown-ups share thoughtful discussions about growth mindset, kindness, resilience, gratitude, and more.