For birthdays and holidays I like to buy gifts for my boys, nephew, and nieces that help grow their creativity and in turn boost their self-esteem. These gift ideas help increase creative thinking and problem solving (skills that are on the decline in this ever increasing digital world.) If you want to help that special kid in your life develop his or her right brain and instill confidence in them, check out these 12 Toys that Help Kids Grow Creatively.
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Assorted Balsa Wood (Small set) and (Large set)
Last Christmas my boys each got a box of assorted balsa wood. They love to build ramps for their matchbox cars, buildings for their stuffed animals and other fun creations. Balsa is soft and can easily be nailed, glued or screwed together. Thinner pieces can be snapped or scored with a knife.
Forget the cheap plastic tools for your child. These are the real deal (only sized for smaller hands.) Purchase a pair of safety glasses and let them loose on that scrap wood!
Work together with your child to make this birdhouse. Hang it in your yard and you’ve helped foster an interest in nature and a sense of accomplishment.
Although coloring books are nice, nothing helps foster creativity like a blank slate. Leave this easel stocked with chalk, colored pencils, markers and blank paper to inspire your little Picasso.
This specially coated paper reacts to the sun’s rays. Show your child how to lay items on top of the paper and expose it in the sun. Your child will enjoy creating new art and appreciate a lesson on positive and negative space.
Help that little one see the world from your angle. While my boys were growing up, we used a learning tower a lot. My sons could safely stand at counter height to help me bake, clean dishes or run mini science experiments.
Forts are an essential part of growing up. Sofa cushions and sheets are all you truly need. But, this set lets your little one explore and learn geometry and construction while they create. The set folds away neatly when not in use.
This is a game that my son recently received as a birthday gift. It seemed simple enough, until we started playing. The Balance Beans game cards give you a set number of “beans” you need to use and figure out how to balance them on the board. There are easy cards and there are super hard cards that will truly challenge your brain. It’s definitely a mind bender!
This set of blocks is perfect for experimenting with building tunnels, funnels, ramps and chutes. Then send the ball down the track and see how well your structure was constructed.
I’ve had a bone to pick with LEGO for a while now. All the fancy building sets are appealing to youngsters, but once they put together the model, the child assumes they need to buy another set. What happened to good old creative building with a basic set? Thank goodness, LEGO brought back this “Classic Set”. Now your child can truly get creative with LEGOs again.
This has to be the coolest way to encourage the kids to play outside. Stick-lets flexible and safe silicone connectors allow kids to connect sticks to create tents, forts and more! Pair this gift with a camo net and you may not see the kids for hours!
Build-it-Yourself Woodworking Set
I can’t resist this woodworking set that comes with a variety of shapes to encourage creative building projects. Help your child build something they want to play with or something with useful.
Do you have any suggestions for games or Toys that Help Kids Grow Creatively? I’d love to hear your favorites. Let’s empower this next generation and help them flex those creative brain cells.
