Just Imagine
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Set up a flashlight or a lamp in a dark room and make different shapes and animals with your hands, paper cut-outs, or toys.
Storytime
Tell a story by making shadows on the wall.
On Stage
Perform your story for an audience!
Shadow World
Did you know?
Creating shadows on the wall strengthens manual dexterity and helps kids practice problem-solving skills.
Supplies Checklist:
Flashlight, lamp or other light source
Street Sign Poetry
Look for words hiding in your neighborhood. Write down your favorites or take pictures of them. Then, arrange the words into interesting phrases to make a poem.
Epic Authors
Try the same idea but use whole phrases you find on street signs, on leaflets or advertisements, or in books. How can you change their meaning when you arrange them?
Found Haiku
Turn your neighborhood word collection into a haiku poem. In a haiku, the first line has five syllables, the second has seven, and the third has five. For extra fun, read them aloud!
Did you know?
Reading is everywhere! Help kids see the words around them with this activity.
Supplies Checklist:
Paper
Pencil
Camera (optional)
JUST IMAGINE
JUST IMAGINE
Innovation Station
Choose a random object, like a pencil. Think about what it looks like or how you could use it. Use your imagination! Then share your ideas. Start by announcing, “This is not a pencil! It’s a…!” Examples: rocketship, bridge for ladybugs, mustache, letter I. Act it out and use sound effects.
Theater of the Absurd
Make a play or write a story using the different “new” objects you and your group came up with.
Impressive Improvisation
Work in pairs. Whisper to your partner what an object really is (e.g., a mustache, not a pencil). Then they act out what the object is until the group can guess it right!
Did you know?
Using your imagination to see different perspectives helps develop problem-solving skills.
Supplies Checklist:
Pencil
Paper
Random object
Monster Draw
Ask each artist to draw one shape, line or dot on their paper. Then, swap drawings with someone. Add a new element, then swap again. Keep swapping back and forth until your drawing is complete. How is drawing with someone different from drawing something by yourself?
Frankenstein’s Creature
Each artist, draw the head and neck of your favorite animal at the top of your paper. Then, fold the paper down to hide your drawing, and pass it to the artist on your right. Without peeking, add the chest or back to the new drawing, then fold and pass again. Draw the torso and upper legs. Fold and pass. Draw the bottom legs and feet. Open all of your creations together and see what you’ve made!
Monstrous Tales
Try this same technique, but with words! Write the first two lines of a spooky story, but hide one before you pass it to your neighbor to do the same. Keep going until you reach the end, then read your fantastic tale!
Did you know?
Sharing in a creative process helps kids develop flexible thinking and the ability to communicate different perspectives.
Supplies Checklist:
Pencils, crayons, or markers
Paper