When you think of creative kids’ activities and pretend play, you probably think of your little one hosting a tea party for their toys or creating a finger painting masterpiece. But these activities are not only a bit of fun to keep their boredom at bay – they also help to develop crucial skills for your child’s overall development.

Creative activities help your child process new experiences and have a formative impact on developing skills like communication, critical thinking and emotional intelligence. It might be drawing a picture of their day, playing superhero with their toys or exploring how gravity works – creative kids’ activities like these give them an avenue to explore and learn in a safe environment. Plus, for parents and caregivers, it’s a strong indicator for how your child interprets their surroundings.

Encourage your little ones to start learning creatively with these three activities for kids at home.

Painting

Suitable for age 3+

A GIF series showing a three-year-old boy painting in a backyard setting. He’s using an assortment of painting supplies, including an easel, paints and brushes.

Art activities, such as painting, offer limitless opportunities for kids to practise both fine and gross motor skills and idea generation. “It’s a fun way for kids to develop their pencil grasp, learn how to draw shapes, learn to write letters, and learn about the colours,” says Shannon Weatherall, Early Intervention Occupational Therapy Lead at Early Start Australia. Plus, think of the confidence boost your little one will feel when they see their masterpiece proudly displayed on the fridge.

Luca, age 3, used primary colours (and a little bit of green!) to paint his version of the tree he could see outside.

Questions to Ask to Help With Learning

  • How did you come up with the idea for your painting?
  • What is your favourite part of your painting?
  • What colours and shapes did you use in your painting?
  • If you mix blue and red together, what colour will you make?

What to try:

A GIF series of painting products, including an easel shown on a blue-green background, and poster paints in red, yellow, blue and green, shown on a pink background.

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Craft & Play Timetable: 14 Activities for 14 Days

Science Experiments

Suitable for age 3+

A GIF series showing a six-year-old girl experimenting using an assortment of kids’ science equipment, including droppers and test tubes, in a backyard setting.

Your child doesn’t have to be a young Einstein to conduct a science experiment; they probably make little scientific discoveries every day. “Science experiments will often be introduced to infants and you may not even know it,” says Shannon. “We often introduce cause and effect toys, and our 9-month-olds will experiment with gravity by watching things fall.” As little minds start to grow, activities like making bicarb soda volcanoes and going on outdoor expeditions with binoculars create great learning opportunities for their curious minds.

Marla, age 6, used water and food colouring to create different coloured potions in her 'science lab’ using the test tubes, beakers and droppers.

Questions to Ask to Help With Learning

  • What do your ‘potions’ do?
  • What happens when you mix your ‘potions’ together?
  • What happens to the water when you add one drop of colour? What happens when you add five drops? 

What to try:

A GIF series showing an assortment of kids’ science equipment, shown on various brightly-coloured backgrounds. Products include things like test tubes and binoculars.

SEE ALSO: STEM Activities for Preschoolers that Teach Problem Solving ‍

Pretend Play

Suitable for age 3+

A GIF series showing a six-year-old girl running a pretend shop at home using an assortment of pretend play products, including play money and wooden fruit.  

Whether it’s playing out a scenario with some educational props or playing dress-ups as their favourite occupation, your little ones are not only engaging their imagination when they pretend play, they’re also developing important life skills. “Imaginary play is a great way to develop children’s social communication skills with adults and peers, increase creativity and problem solving, and develop idea generation,” says Shannon. “It can also better prepare our kiddies for life experiences like going to the doctors and getting their hair cut.”

Zoe, age 6, created culinary delights using wooden play food sets and sold them in her very own cafe.

Questions to Ask to Help With Learning

  • What things do you sell at your shop?
  • What time does your shop open and close? How many hours is your shop open?
  • I have $20. What can I buy with that?
  • What’s the most expensive item at your shop?

What to try:

A GIF series showing an assortment of pretend play products, shown on various brightly-coloured backgrounds. Products include play money and wooden food sets.

SEE ALSO: 3 Boredom-Busting DIY Construction Activities for Kids

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