Green Options » creativity

Open Ended Play Lets Kids’ Imaginations Set Sail!

Jennifer Lance — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:29:12 +0000

Editor’s note: The following piece is guest post by Dalit Holzman from Natural Pod, one of our favorite eco-friendly toy companies. Dalit is part of the Natural Pod team (www.naturalpod.com) and raises her two daughters as open-endedly as possible…with the help of some boxes.

We’ve all heard it. In fact we’ve all said it: “the best toy in the house is the cardboard box!” As parents we are constantly reminded that the active imaginations of children really don’t need much stimulation to get going…and going, and going, and going!

Just the other day my very own living room was transformed from, well, a living room into a series of caves and burrows, an enclave for ambushing mini- pirates!

Kids constantly mimic and replay the world around them, and though I am no pirate (lol), my daughters do seem to have many of my mannerisms and modes of communication down to a science (arrr me hearties!) They listen to learn to repeat.

New Ideas and Creative Thinking: “Things To Be Happy About” Website Offers Fun Questions and Free Lesson Plans for Kids

Lucille Chi — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:43:29 +0000

Recently on our sister site Feel Good Style, we talked about creating happiness for us and everyone around…In reading it, did you discover the free creative lesson plans and questions for awakening kids minds? They are so fun!

For example, lesson plan idea number one for getting off to a great start with a new team (both in the classroom and out) is:

Creativity 350

Kelly Rand — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:33:14 +0000

To spread the word about the need for meaningful climate action and motivate our elected officials that we need to act now to solve global climate change, Bill McKibben, of Step It Up fame, has stepped it up himself with his new organization 350.org.

350.org is spreading the word far and wide about the importance of the number 350 and you can help! Together with Craftster, Etsy, Craft Magazine, Burda Style and Thrifty Fun — 350.org has launched the Creativity 350 partnership and contest to draw creative energy and attention to 350.org’s goal of reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million to stave off dangerous climate change.

The contest is in two parts; a 350-themed craft contest and a 350-themed T-shirt design contest. For the craft contest, you are invited to craft any project that creatively expresses the importance of the number 350, using any crafting technique. For the T-shirt contest, you may create an original T-shirt design that creatively expresses the importance of the number 350.

Pulaski Playhouse: Art Adventures

AJViola — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:15:27 +0000

The after school arts program in which I teach begins tomorrow, with the start of the new month. This year, the Playhouse is instituting the theme, "This belongs to us." I am interpreting this idea in my Art Adventures class with lessons that emphasize a respect for the planet, the school community and one’s own creations.

I will be posting our progress! Please pass along any cool projects using product packaging or other materials usually doomed for the dumpster or recycling bin!

Peace.