How to Encourage Creativity as Part of School Prep

9 October 2025

Getting everything ready for the school year usually means buying new pencils, labeling folders, and making sure lunchboxes are packed. But there's one crucial element we often overlook during back-to-school prep: creativity.

Yup, I'm talking about those wild daydreams, colorful doodles, wacky stories, and out-of-the-box ideas that flow naturally from kids—until the rigidity of the school year starts to press pause on their imaginations.

Here’s the thing: helping kids stay creative isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s essential. Creativity supports learning, builds emotional intelligence, strengthens problem-solving skills, and yep—makes school more engaging and fun.

So how do we weave creativity into school prep without turning it into another chore? Let’s talk about it.

Why Creativity Needs a Seat at the (Homework) Table

Think about it—when we prep our kids for school, we focus a ton on logistics: supplies, schedules, and structure. But what about giving their brains a creative warm-up?

Encouraging creativity isn't just for future artists or musicians. It helps all kids adapt to new situations, express themselves, and even understand tough concepts in math, science, and reading. Creativity lights up those “aha!” moments in learning.

Plus, let’s be real—kids who are allowed to think creatively tend to be happier and more confident. And don’t we all want that for our little ones, especially as they head into another school year?

Start with a Mindset Shift (for Parents and Kids!)

We often hear this phrase tossed around: "I'm just not creative." But here's a truth bomb—it’s a myth. Everyone is creative. Yep, even your spreadsheet-loving kid who prefers building LEGO cities over painting pictures.

Flip the Script:

Instead of asking, “Are you ready for school?” try saying “What fun ideas do you have for this school year?” With just a small change in words, you’re sending the message that creativity is part of being prepared.

Model Creativity Yourself:

Kids mirror us more than we realize. If you doodle, journal, sing while washing dishes, or tinker with a DIY project, you’re showing that creativity is not only okay—it’s freaking awesome.

1. Blend Creativity Into Back-to-School Shopping

Let’s start with an easy win. You’ve got to shop for school supplies anyway—why not turn it into a creative adventure?

Customization Is Key:

- Let your child design their folders or notebooks using stickers, washi tape, or hand-drawn covers.
- Pick a backpack with a patch panel and let them choose patches to change up weekly.
- Get fabric markers and personalize lunch bags or pencil cases.

Let Them Choose:

Give age-appropriate freedom. Even picking out a wild pattern for their binder or a funky planner encourages expressive thinking.

> It’s not just about supplies—it’s about self-expression. Let their tools reflect who they are.

2. Create a Creative Corner at Home

You don’t need a dedicated studio or fancy materials to set up a “creative corner.” Just carve out a little nook where imagination can run wild.

What to Include:

- Blank notebooks and sketchpads
- Crayons, colored pencils, markers
- Craft supplies (think glue, tape, pipe cleaners, felt)
- Legos or magnetic tiles
- A bin of recyclables for building (old cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, etc.)

Make sure it feels inviting, not like a dusty part of the room no one uses. Maybe add a cozy rug or their artwork on the wall.

> Pro tip: This space shouldn’t be super structured. Let messes happen and ideas flow.

3. Storytelling Nights (aka Brain Gymnastics)

School may focus a lot on facts and memorization, but storytelling exercises the creative muscle in ways textbooks just can’t.

Try This:

- Create-a-Story Game: One person starts a story sentence, and everyone adds one sentence at a time. The crazier, the better.
- Character-in-a-Hat: Write silly characters or animals on slips of paper. Each person draws one and invents a story around it.
- Family Story Nights: Take turns making up bedtime stories instead of reading books. Encourage your child to be the narrator.

It’s amazing how a 10-minute story session can lead to confidence, vocabulary growth, and creativity—all while you're winding down for the evening.

4. Focus on Process, Not Perfection

This one’s big. School can be filled with tests, grades, and tightly judged assignments. Creativity? It thrives in environments where messing up is welcome.

Encourage This Phrase:

“It's not about being right—it's about being curious.”

Reinforce the Joy of Trying:

If your child draws a purple sun or writes a silly poem, resist the urge to correct it. Celebrate it! Curiosity builds confidence, and confidence (guess what?) fuels more creativity.

5. Let Boredom Happen (Seriously!)

Parents feel this weird pressure to “fill the time” before school starts with camps, activities, and screen time. But boredom? It’s actually a hidden gift.

When kids are bored, they’re forced to think, imagine, innovate, and try new things. That’s where creativity blooms.

> When your child says, “I don’t know what to do,” try asking, “What would you invent right now if you could create anything?”

It’s like giving their imagination a spark plug.

6. Use Tech Wisely to Boost Creativity

Yes, screens are everywhere—but not all screen time is created equal. Some apps and platforms seriously encourage creativity if used the right way.

Top Creative Tools:

- Toca Boca apps: Great for younger kids to experiment with digital play.
- Stop Motion Studio: Turn toys into movie stars in a DIY film.
- Google’s Chrome Music Lab: For exploring music and beats.
- Storybird or Book Creator: Make illustrated stories digitally.

The trick? Balance tech-based creativity with tactile, off-screen experiences.

7. Make School Subjects More Creative

Who says school prep has to be dry? You can sneak creativity into even the most structured subjects.

Creative Math:

- Turn math problems into scavenger hunts or puzzles.
- Draw out math problems with sidewalk chalk outside.

Creative Reading:

- Act out stories.
- Rewrite endings with a twist.
- Encourage book-inspired drawings.

Creative Writing:

- Write letters to future selves.
- Create a comic strip instead of a report.
- Start a “wonder journal” of random questions they have about the world.

These tweaks help kids get excited about learning, not just prepared for it.

8. Encourage Passion Projects

Before schedules lock in, the weeks before school are a perfect time to ask: "What would you love to make or learn this month?"

Maybe it’s building a birdhouse, baking cupcakes, starting a YouTube channel (with supervision!), or writing a short novel.

Passion projects give kids a taste of independent exploration—a skill that makes school feel less like a to-do list and more like a launchpad.

9. Reflect and Celebrate Creative Wins

Creativity is easier to sustain when kids feel like it’s valued. So, take time to reflect together.

Ask questions like:
- What was the weirdest idea you had this week?
- What’s something new you created?
- What are you proud of?

Hang up their artwork or display a cool invention on the mantel. Celebrate their unique view of the world—and they’ll keep showing it to you.

10. Keep It Going After the Bell Rings

Encouraging creativity during school prep is amazing—but the real magic happens when you make it part of everyday life.

Here’s how:
- Weekly creative time: Set a “Maker Monday” or “Free Friday” where anything goes.
- Creative journaling: Encourage kids to reflect and sketch ideas daily or weekly.
- Flexible routines: Build in unstructured time between activities.

Remember: a creative kid is a motivated, resilient, and curious learner. And honestly? That’s the kind of prep that truly sets them up for success—way beyond the classroom.

Final Thoughts

So as you check off your back-to-school to-do list, remember to leave room for crayons, chaos, and curiosity. Creativity isn’t just a cute bonus—it’s brain fuel, soul food, and a secret weapon for school success.

Imagine sending your child off on their first day not just with a full backpack, but with a mind buzzing with ideas and a heart excited to share them.

Now that’s what I call a great start.