When was the last time you invited your kids to create? I don’t mean setting out supplies and coaching them through a craft with a end in mind. Invitation to create means giving your child supplies and seeing what they come up with without adult guidance.
Too often we adults are so focused on the end result of a craft and getting to that “Pinterest-worthy” picture at the end, we forget to encourage independence, individuality, and creativity. Open ended art is just that. Letting kids explore creative tools and mediums with no end result in mind.
*This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For my full disclosure, click here.*
You’d be surprised what kids can come up with if there is no theme, idea, or suggestion for them to use except their imagination and the tools in front of them. Here are some invitation to create kit “Must-haves” that you can use in your kits. You don’t have to include all of these, but you might want to keep most of these on hand for future kits.
Invitation to Create Kit Must-Haves
Pipecleaners, Googly eyes, Glitter, Sequins, Stickers, Cardstock Paper, Styrofoam Cups, Scissors (age appropriate), Construction Paper, Glue, Playdough, Straws, Tissue Paper Squares, Blank Book, Markers, Feathers, Yarn, and Cardboard shapes and tubes.
But sometimes its easier for us as adults to follow a certain theme. I use a party tray I found at Dollar Tree to separate the supplies. I love using it for invitation to create projects, like this Garden Themed Playdough Station.
Here’s some theme ideas to guide your next invitation to create.
Birds
Flowers
Bugs
Monsters
Robots
Aliens
