They say necessity is the mother of invention. If that's true, then imagination must be the father. I have found that the best way to get the gears turning in little minds is to issue a challenge. Here are a few ideas for inspiring "hows" and "whys" to pop into your child's head: PHOTO: freephotosbank
1) Wrapping Paper: Make your own wrapping paper. Use a roll of brown or white paper and unroll it as far as you can across a protected section of floor. Or, if you need to wrap small gifts, just use smaller sheets of paper. Challenge your child to come up with objects that, when dipped in paint, cover the paper with a thematic design. Try pre-shaped or scissor-cut sponges or sheets of foam. Carve a design into half of a potato. Use handprints, footprints or fingerprints. Use random textures such as wrinkled paper, crepe paper, sandpaper, feathers.
One year, we wanted to make a lot of wrap for Christmas. So, we set up the kitchen for most of the day and let a stretch of paper dry before returning to stamp more.
2) Challenge your kid to come up with a new variety of oatmeal, cake, cookie, or party mix. You don't have to actually prepare the food (although that's an extra bit of fun!) Have them draw their food invention. What would the ingredients be? What would they call it? Who would the new variety be aimed at?
We arrived at Monster Cookies one day. Your basic chocolate chip cookie recipe with raspberry swirled in. Not to mention...chocolate chunks, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms, and white chocolate chips. Sugar coma? You bet.
3) Do you have a Sci-fi, aviation, or nautical fanatic at home? Challenge them to imagine the layout of a ship or plane they admire (i.e.: The Millenium Falcon, an aircraft carrier) or of a vehicle they invent from scratch. What would the floor plan look like?
4) Do the above using a home, castle, mall, or amusement park as a model. Many kids enjoy the prospects brought about by a large sheet of paper and a variety of colored pencils. However, if the sight of a blank page intimidates them, draw the shell and a few areas for them to fill in.
5) Check out By Kids For Kids--an opportunity for older and younger kids to get involved with inventing. Various companies offer challenges and prizes for kids' ideas.
6) Look into this great book for older kids:
Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors
