| If your kids are always begging to watch | | | | kids engaged in this area, they will naturally be |
| television or to turn on the video game system, | | | | drawn to it when they are bored. The appeal of |
| maybe you need to help them find some | | | | making something to do instead of just being |
| alternatives. You will always hear people grumping | | | | entertained may be enough to win back their |
| about how kids never use their imaginations | | | | imaginations. You can even buy a basic science |
| anymore or about how their creativity is | | | | kits loaded with simple yet safe experiments that |
| squelched by the television. The problem is that | | | | will teach your kids the elementary principles of |
| kids learn by watching adults, and if we turn on | | | | working in a lab and making observations. The |
| the television when we are bored, then so will | | | | kids'll be learning without even realizing it. |
| they. The best way to get your kids away from | | | | Stage/Theatre |
| in front of the television is to give them a viable | | | | Whether it is puppet shows or an actual stage |
| alternative. One great option is to set up a | | | | where your kids can put on shows, they will |
| creativity center. Here are a few things that you | | | | derive hour after hour of creative entertainment |
| may want to include. | | | | in a stage or theatre space. Turn them loose with |
| Art Desk | | | | a goal, and your kids will create, design, perform |
| An art desk can take many different forms. The | | | | and dream their way to bigger and better |
| only thing that it really needs to include is plenty | | | | productions than you probably though them |
| of space. Of course, there are myriad other | | | | capable of. This is an excellent way for parents to |
| options that you can include, such as cups to put | | | | encourage the creative abilities in their kids. It is |
| paints, slots for pens and markers, clips to hold | | | | also a good way for kids to learn to work |
| down paper and even built-in easels. Develop a flat | | | | together and to help some children who may be a |
| space where they can use modeling clay and | | | | little bit more shy come out of their shells. |
| make sure the kids have a bin to store it in so it | | | | You can make this experience more interactive |
| doesn't dry out. The more gadgets you have at | | | | by including the use of the art desk. Not only can |
| your kid's art desk, the more likely they are to | | | | your kids perform, they can use the art desk to |
| want to spend time there. | | | | design and decorate their stage props. This is a |
| Science Desk | | | | great way to teach them how different facets of |
| Do your kids always want to do experiments? | | | | creativity work together to form one complete |
| Set up a place in your creativity center to carry | | | | project. It also creates an opportunity for kids |
| these experiments out. Use clear plastic cups to | | | | with different talents to get involved in every |
| grow plants or keep a hamster cage. The | | | | stage of the process. |
| possibilities are limitless and once you get your | | | | |