TIP #85: The Secret to Sparking Great Ideas in Kids
Have you ever heard a child complain, “I don’t have any good ideas…” ? Well, there’s a secret to not only having good ideas, but having great ideas. Kids tend to be naturally creative, but sometimes even they need a little help to unlock their personal genius.
Whether you’re a parent helping with a school project or a teacher planning your next art lesson, you’ll want to share this secret to having great ideas with the kids in your life.
The secret to sparking great ideas is simple
The secret is simple… focus first on brainstorming LOTS of ideas in general, without concern for if they’re any good or not. Then the more ideas you have, the better your chances that some of them will be really great ideas.
That’s right—quantity leads to quality when it comes to ideas. When we generate a myriad of ideas, we create a playground for creativity. Some ideas may be silly, impractical, or totally weird. But nestled in that mix may also be a gem that makes you say, “Wow, that’s a great idea!”
So let’s look at how to nurture this idea-generating mindset in kids as well as in yourself.
Why you need an abundance of ideas
Imagine you’re digging for treasure. Would you stop after digging just one hole? Of course not! The same principle applies to creativity.
By encouraging kids to think broadly and come up with as many ideas as possible, you’re helping them practice divergent thinking—the ability to explore many possible solutions to a single problem.
Great ideas rarely appear fully formed out of nowhere. Instead, they grow out of a messy process of brainstorming and trial and error. Giving yourself and your students permission to create freely without judgment opens the door to innovation.
Some ways to spark LOTS of ideas
If you’re wondering how to generate a flood of ideas, here are some fun, practical activities to try. You can tie these to a theme you’re working on or just use them to warm up your “idea generator”.
1. Classic Brainstorming
On a big piece of paper or a whiteboard, write down a prompt like, “Ideas for a school-wide fundraiser using student artwork”. Or, “How many things can we draw starting with circles?”
Then let your students’ imaginations, and your own, run wild. There are no wrong answers here. Quantity is the goal, so write everything down, even the silliest and most impractical ideas.
2. Idea Webs
Start with one central word or theme, like “animals,” in the center of the page. From there, branch out with related ideas: pets, habitats, behaviors, imaginary animals, etc. This visual approach helps kids see connections and inspires them to dig deeper for even more ideas.
3. The “What If” Game
Encourage kids to ask unlikely questions that begin with “What if…”. Like, “What if trees grew upside down?” Or “What if houses could fly?” Take a minute after each question to imagine what the implications of that might be. These playful questions can lead to unexpected new ideas.
4. The “Run-On Sentence” Collaboration
Have students pass around a piece of paper or share ideas aloud. Each idea should build on all of the previous ideas.
For example, if one child says, “Let’s build a rocket…” the next might say, “powered by jellybeans…”, and the next might add, “and fly to the South Pole…”.
Continue around the room like one big run-on sentence of creative ideas. Collaborative creativity often results in ideas no one would have thought of alone.
5. Creative Constraints
Sometimes constraints, or setting limits, can spark new ideas. For example, challenge kids to design a playground prototype using only cardboard toilet paper rolls and tape. Or, paint a mandala using only natural materials found outside to apply their paint. These boundaries push kids to think outside the box.
Choosing your best ideas
Once you’ve generated a mountain of ideas using creative thinking (above), it’s time to sift through those ideas and choose the best ones using critical thinking . Encourage kids to ask questions like:
“Which idea excites me the most?”
“Which idea solves the problem in a unique way?”
“Which idea is practical to create?”
This step teaches critical thinking and decision-making. It also reinforces that not all ideas need to be “used”. Some ideas are just stepping stones to the great ideas.
Model your own process for having great ideas
As a parent or teacher, you can set the tone for having great ideas. Show kids that adults can embrace this messy, fun process of coming up with lots of ideas, too. Here are 3 ways:
1. Be open about your “bad” ideas.
Share your own wacky, half-baked ideas to show that the creative process isn’t about perfection or accepting the first idea that comes to mind.
2. Keep an idea journal.
Let kids see you jot down ideas as they come to you, no matter how simple or incomplete. Provide small notebooks for kids to have handy, to encourage them to do the same.
3. Revisit old ideas.
Sometimes, an idea that didn’t work initially can spark something amazing later on. Talk about this when it happens. Share stories of your “idea journeys”.
Why It Matters
Teaching kids how to generate and evaluate ideas isn’t just for art class. It’s about preparing them for a world that values creativity and problem-solving.
The ability to think broadly, adapt, and innovate will serve kids in countless ways, from tackling school assignments to solving real-world challenges.
As a bonus, you’ll likely discover that this process invigorates your own creativity, too. So grab a pen and a notebook, and let the ideas flow. Who knows what treasures you’ll discover!
Remember, the secret to sparking great ideas is simple. First focus on coming up with LOTS of ideas in general. Then narrow those down to reveal your truly great ideas.
an inspiring quote
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” ~ Pablo Picasso
Great ideas usually don’t come out of nowhere. They come to us when we show up and immerse ourselves in our work (or play). Kids and adults alike can learn to create the environment that makes this possible.
Ideas lead to more ideas, especially when we’re in motion. When we engage with our creativity, we uncover nuances, solve problems, and discover unexpected connections. This process refines our existing ideas and sparks new ones.
Inspiration may be unpredictable, but we can create a structure that invites it in. If you’re always doodling, brainstorming, or experimenting, you’re more likely to stumble into new ideas… and sometimes even great ones.
There’s no need to wait for the perfect moment or spark of inspiration to get started. Just begin where you are, with what you have. Even if your path isn’t clear, when inspiration finds you making the effort, the ideas will flow!