Invitation to Create: Sparking Creativity and Imagination in Little Learners!
Hello, wonderful teachers and homeschool heroes! Have you ever watched a child get lost in a world of creativity—building castles out of cardboard boxes, drawing wild creatures with crayon and paper, or turning everyday items into something completely new? You’ve probably also seen a crafty kiddo who wanted to get their hands covered in glue and sparkles but weren’t sure how to inspire them. Guess what? You can offer an invitation to create TODAY in your own home or classroom for any age group without a fancy degree in art or design. 😊
So, what exactly is an invitation to create? Let me break it down for you in a way that’s as simple and fun as possible!
Scroll to the end to see some of my own invitations to create!
What’s an Invitation to Create?
An invitation to create is a hands-on, open-ended opportunity where children are given materials to spark their imagination, but with no rigid outcome in mind. It’s like handing them a blank canvas (literally or figuratively) and saying, “What do YOU want to make?” You set up the space, offer the supplies, and then step back and watch their creativity explode in all sorts of wonderful ways.
Think of it as the perfect mix of freedom and inspiration—where the only limit is their imagination! 🌟
What Does an Invitation to Create Look Like?
Here are some ideas to help you set up your very own creativity zone! They’re as simple or extravagant as you want to make them and use easy-to-obtain materials to ignite those creative sparks in no time.
Building with Blocks:
Set up a block station with wooden blocks, Legos, or recycled cardboard boxes. Encourage children to design structures, build castles, or create their own little worlds. As they play, they’ll develop spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and a sense of accomplishment when their creations come to life!
Art Corner Adventure:
Grab some colorful markers, crayons, or paint, and offer up a stack of plain paper, cardboard, or even fabric scraps. You could throw in a few prompts like, “Can you draw a superhero?” or “What does your dream world look like?” Let them use their creativity to turn the paper into whatever they imagine!
Loose Parts Play:
Fill a bin with loose parts like buttons, popsicle sticks, clothespins, beads, and fabric swatches. Let the kids build, arrange, or design whatever they want. They might create sculptures, jewelry, or even “robot parts.” Loose parts offer endless opportunities for problem-solving, exploration, and hands-on learning.
Nature Creations:
Take a nature walk and collect leaves, sticks, rocks, and pinecones. Once you’re back indoors, set up a table where the kids can use those materials to create their own nature-inspired masterpiece. Whether it’s a nature collage or a “rock creature,” the possibilities are endless!
The Magic Benefits of an Invitation to Create
- Encourages Unstoppable Creativity
Kids love to think outside the box, and when given the chance, they’ll create things that will surprise even you! Whether it’s a drawing, a sculpture, or a design, their creations allow them to explore ideas without restrictions. And guess what? It helps them develop a love for the creative process that can last a lifetime. - Enhances Problem-Solving Skills
Building, designing, or crafting something requires thinking critically. How do I balance this structure? What happens if I add more pieces? How do I make my drawing look just right? Each challenge they encounter is a chance to problem-solve in a fun, stress-free way. - Develops Fine Motor Skills
From gripping a paintbrush to assembling tiny pieces of a puzzle, creating strengthens hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Whether they’re drawing, cutting, or stacking, these activities help young children build the muscles needed for tasks like writing or tying their shoes. - Fosters Independent Thinking
When kids are given the freedom to create on their own terms, they learn how to make decisions and trust their instincts. It’s all about autonomy—choosing the colors, shapes, or materials that speak to them and seeing where their creativity takes them. - Builds Emotional and Social Skills
Creativity isn’t just about making something—it’s also about expressing themselves! Whether they’re talking about their work or collaborating with friends or siblings, creating helps children communicate their ideas and emotions in a healthy, supportive way.
Steps to Set Up the Perfect Invitation to Create
- Keep It Simple: You don’t need to break the bank to inspire creativity. Gather materials from around your house—scrap paper, fabric, cardboard boxes, or even old buttons—and you’re ready to go! This is the perfect activity to use leftover bits and bobs that aren’t enough for an entire class project. Hint – invitations work great with recycled materials!
- Provide Inspiration, Not Instructions: The beauty of an invitation to create is that you don’t need to tell the child what to do. Just provide the materials and let them take the lead. You could suggest an end goal, i.e. create a snowman, or just let them make whatever they want with the supplies at hand if that’s where their imagination takes them.
- Make It Accessible: Set up your creation station in a space that’s easy to access. The more inviting it looks, the more likely your little ones will jump in and start exploring! I love to sort materials in baskets, ice cube trays, or vegetable platters, and use lots of colors. You could even craft a giant banner like “Creation Station” to draw kids in!
- Display: seeing their finished creations on display is a prime motivator for many littles. Consider dedicating a special board or wall space for their invitations and switching it up seasonally, or monthly, depending how often you change your materials.
My Invitations to Create
Still need a little more visual direction to get started? No problem! Here are a few invitations to create I’ve made over the years. Feel free to steal my ideas and make whatever tweaks you think would make them even better!
- Invitation to Create Sand Art – this invitation is perfect for seasonal activities! Here I provided images of rangoli patterns to learn about Diwali during our Holidays Around the World unit in December. I actually dyed salt myself but you could use pre-colored salt or sand for this activity. My kiddos just used their fingers to scatter and blend but you could provide utensils like small wooden scoops or brushed. Consider using colored or scented glue sticks to amp up the fun!
- Invitation to Create Jellybean Structures – All you need are toothpicks and jellybeans! We used orange, black, and white for Halloween. You could swap out the colors for red and green at Christmas time, pink and red for Valentine’s day etc. Alternatively, you could use marshmallows or another small treat for this STEM activity!
- Invitation to Create a Monster – this setup included play doh in every color of the rainbow, along with cut up pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, buttons, beads, googly eyes, rocks and gems! Whew! I also included a rainbow mat incase students just wanted to fill it in with play doh balls or worms instead of creating a monster.
- Invitation to Create an Egg Painting – this invitation is perfect for spring or Easter, but be warned, it can get messy! All you need are some recycled egg shells, paints, and canvases or other objects to paint. I covered the surrounding area with garbage bags and a cheap table cloth to contain the inevitable disaster. I watered down my paints so they would spread easily and cover more surface area, and I turned my colors pastel by mixing them with white.
- Invitation to Create Pancake (or Cookie!) Art – this invitation is more of a homeschooler activity – breakfast and art all rolled into one. We love to play with our food! This activity could easily be adapted for classroom use. I baked a flat pancake in a pan at breakfast then cut it into portions for my kids to use as canvases. I provided bowls of jam, honey, and peanut butter plus some brand new paint brushes and sponges. You could offer piping bags or drizzle bottles of chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, icing, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc.
Final Thoughts
An invitation to create isn’t just about crafting or drawing—it’s about offering your child the opportunity to explore and experiment. It’s the spark they need to get their imagination and problem-solving skills fired up! 🚀
So, let’s get to it! Whether you’re offering art supplies, loose parts, or even nature treasures, you’re opening the door to hours of creativity and fun. Ready to set up your own creation stations?
Happy creating! ✨🎨