Creativity in a Box

by Laura Torres | More from this Blogger

03 Mar 2006 12:31 AM

It was my mother who started me on my crafting career with an ingenious gift, one that I have also given to my kids. You can help your kids, crafty or not, to discover their creativity with a similar gift.

On my tenth birthday, there was a large wrapped box that held quite the mystery. I hadn't asked for anything in particular, so I had no clue what was inside. When I unwrapped it and looked in the box, I was confused for a moment. Then it dawned on me. Mom had raided a craft store.

Inside the box were pipe cleaners, pom poms, felt, glue, glitter, markers, googly eyes, beads, sequins and loads of other craft supplies. I was in heaven. We didn't have a lot of money and I usually did my crafting by mixing up flour and salt clays in the kitchen.

I asked her later what made her think to give me that gift and she said that she noticed I liked making things. She remembered that when she was a kid and had an idea she never had the materials to make whatever it was. She wanted to make sure I had what I needed to execute my creativity. Sniff. My mom was way cool.

I loved that box of supplies and hoarded some things I couldn't bring myself to use up. I'll bet I still have bits and pieces of those original supplies lurking in my now overflowing basement.

Even if your kid isn't into making crafty things, you can still fill a box with whatever it is that brings out his or her creativity. Here are a few ideas that might be a perfect fit for your child.

1. For a builder: Model airplane or car kits with glue and paints and books or magazines about airplanes or cars

2. For an organizer: Scrapbook supplies: an album, paper punches, embellishments, sticky dots, etc...

3. For an artist: Pencils, pens, charcoal, sketchbooks and instructional art books

4. For a scientist: Fun science books with experiments plus supplies to do the experiments, a magnifying glass, astronomy charts and magnets

5. For a musician: Tape recorder, microphone, karaoke tapes, musical instruments

Learn more about Laura Torres

Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com.

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