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Continued from page 1416 alaska parent spring 2024 AlaskaParent.comAllow mess“Let them get messy,” advises Ashley. “My kids have full access to our craft closet as long as they are safe and responsible. It is stocked with scissors, glue, paint, stickers, play dough and more.” Set boundaries and rules that fit your household, such as to clean up when you are done, only write on paper and be safe with scissors. Limit items if needed but try to supervise use of craft items rather than take them away completely. When kids know they can be messy, they feel more freedom to be creative. When thinking of ways to inspire creativity in your children, consider their interests. Not all children enjoy arts and crafts. If your children loves sports, suggest they make up their own game. If your kids love movies, have them write a movie script and act it out. The most important thing is that they have the opportunity to create. Tips to Control the Creativity MessWith raising creative kids comes a fair amount of mess. Many parents find this stressful and overwhelming. Establish some simple boundaries for the mess and you’ll free your kids to focus on creating. Here are some tips to help: What makes childhood feel magical? One simple word: PLAY! Play is crucial for children – it is fun, allows them to work through complex ideas and emotions, leads to a sense of mastery, and is also a key way kids learn. Regrettably, the technology and busyness of our modern lives leave little room for this important part of childhood. Pretend Play Workshop for Kids, for ages 3-7, offers a remedy with hours of dramatic play scenarios paired with simple crafts and fun activities – a rich resource for easy, ready-to-go alternatives to screentime. Cardboard is everywhere! For creative kids, ages 9-14, it’s the perfect eco-friendly building material, and Cardboard Box Engineeringis the perfect step-by-step guide to get them started on inventive tinkering. Learn how to create next-level cardboard creations, such as a working kaleidoscope, a marble roller coaster, or a robotic hand using simple household tools. Also, gain understanding about the basics of physics and engineering with activities that have real-life applications. Watch kids' eyes light up as they roll up their sleeves and transform ordinary items. Upcycle It! Crafts for Kids shows tweens how to take objects destined for the recycling bin and breathe new life into them to make room decor, organizers, school supplies, and so much more. Some of the exciting arts and crafts include an Awesome Earbud Case, Cute Critter Cardboard Hangers, and Splatter Paint Sunglasses – all allowing kids to create something that is both useful and fun to make. Playful Wonders brings endless hours of creative play that children, ages 3-5, and adults will love sharing together. Find 50 engaging and simple sensory play activities for any place or occasion -- some are muddy, some are messy, but all of them are fun! Kids will learn how to rescue toys that are stuck in jelly, transform an egg box into a caterpillar, or make nature confetti. Using household items, with photographs of each activity and easy-to-follow instructions, it’s never been easier for kids to interact imaginatively with their environment.creativityThese 4 reads prove that there are endless opportunities to get creative. BOOKS TO INSPIREDesignate a space for creating. This could be the kitchen or dining room table, playroom or corner of the basement. Designate an art project space so the mess feels more contained. Provide clothes for getting messy. If you’re concerned about your kids' clothes getting ruined by glue and paint, provide them with a craft smock, apron or specific clothes they are allowed to get dirty. Take craft projects outside when possible. If weather permits, have the kids work on messier projects outdoors or in the garage. Teach kids to clean up after themselves. Set a rule that craft projects are allowed but only if creators clean up when finished. Create a place for items to be stored and organized. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive, but having a space to put away art supplies, paper and other items will help keep the mess corralled and make for easier cleanup.••••••