7 Ways to Spark Creative Thinking Through Active Play

Credit | Figgy Play

Play couches like the Figgy are introducing new ways for little ones to develop skills, learn and grow while providing families with innovative playtime solutions. 

Thinking back to my childhood, pretending to be the classroom teacher to my class of plush animals was one of my favorite ways to play with my sister and brother. As I later in life studied child psychology while in college, I was able to gain a better understanding of the importance of play time in the holistic development of our children. Families can help guide young children toward mastery of key developmental phases through play by engaging in activities which promote curiosity, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Through everyday moments like cooking, grocery shopping, and even active playtime we can help our littles ones grow while teaching them math, science, and social skills in an easy and practical way. Here are seven ways families can spark creative thinking through active play—with The Figgy Play couch and fort building adventure kit!

Thank you to The Figgy Play team for the courtesy of providing gratuitous product for editorial purposes. This content may contain affiliate links.

7 Ways to Spark Creative Thinking Through Active Play

As we include children in measuring  ingredients, counting items, or asking open-ended questions during our daily tasks, these moments become playful and fun learning opportunities. By encouraging collaborative learning and play-time, children naturally build communication skills, teamwork abilities, and innovative thinking. Coordinating both child-led and adult-facilitated activities, games, and building projects encourages children to cooperate and share ideas to complete tasks supporting big picture  cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth. 

Child-led play and learning is a phenomenal way  to observe children as they begin to blossom into their own unique personalities. Allowing children to direct their own journey, and make their own play decisions promotes and nurtures a sense of independence, confidence, and creativity. I'm often amazed at the combination of simplicity and complexity my children display while playfully learning and exploring the wonders of their environments. 

Simply allowing children a safe amount of freedom to choose what games to play or how to solve a challenge (with a little guidance when needed), empowers their joy for learning. Families and caregivers can help little ones develop essential developmental skills with engaging and thought-provoking conversations. 

Imaginative & Pretend Play

Imaginative play time experiences, like playing school or house or using storytelling to pretend to be characters, helps children to develop social skills, empathy, and creativity. Try an area set up with dress-up clothes, costumes, and assorted props to encourage dramatic play and make believe. While children are envisioning stories and practicing social skills, play time may prepare young minds for future developmental benchmarks.

In our home we spend a great deal of time getting creative with the Figgy play couch- a kids modular sofa that doubles as a tech free playtime solution! The Figgy includes four soft and sturdy, square foam cushions, plus two rectangle foam cushions for limitless people-powered fun! 

Whether it's a cave of cushions, play fort, tumble space, or a spaceship, our living room is instantly transformed into whatever our masterminds imagine. Each Figgy play cushion is waterproof, washable, and connectable with enclosed Velcro connecting strips for sturdy structures for playing, resting, and so much more! All setting the stage for all types of innovative play.

Educational Game Play

Playing learning games demonstrating lessons in numbers, letters, memory and cognitive skills, and critical thinking show the benefits of learning through play. Joining together to play games while practicing vocabulary, counting, or strategic thinking can improve academic success and boost self-confidence for children (and adults!).

Mastering Building and Puzzles

Constructing unique masterpieces with building toys and completing puzzles serve to improve fine motor skills, problem-solving processing, and spatial awareness. Presented with age-appropriate resources, children develop creative ideas to explore ways to work through challenges. Use Figgy as a place to get comfy and complete the latest puzzle or as a base for a castle using a variety of building blocks, LEGO, and other connectable toys.  

Outdoor Play and Exploration

Fresh air during outdoor play improves gross motor skills, physical development, environment discovery, and observation skills. Enjoying nature gives little learners an introduction to exploring science concepts like biology and ecosystems. Sitting or walking, time spent outdoors in nature encourages children to observe the trees, plants, flowers, insects, and wildlife in the world around us each day.

STEM/STEAM Learning Play

Increased focus on STEM (Science Technology Engineering + Math) and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art + Math) activities are foundational to preparing our young ones for the future. Hands-on learning develops emerging fine motor skills and sparks curiosity, as clever blends with creative. Providing curious minds with age-appropriate learning materials to build and create projects, experiments, or other inventive creations engages communication.

Problem-Solving Challenges

Well, what can we do next? Encountering problem-solving activities help to stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and resilience to overcome challenges. We use the Figgy cushions to construct homemade obstacle courses, venture outside for scavenger hunts, and find logic activities that engage thought processing, decision-making, and perseverance.

Read and Storytelling

Credit | Figgy Play

Sharing an amazing story is certainly an undeniable talent first perfected during childhood. There is an almost invisibly thin line between fact and fiction and children masterfully blur this line. Reading stories together and acting out scenes help with language development, reading comprehension, and, of course, the creativity of imagination.

Selecting a comfortable, cozy reading area and creating a special space to read and discuss characters and storylines is setting the stage for building vocabulary and social-emotional learning (SEL).

Build creative play into your day with the Figgy! Shop The Figgy play couch collection online and The Figgy Amazon  Store.

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