3 classic ways to engage your child in creative play

The desire to play is hardwired into every child. Even world-renowned scientists recognize that. Einstein, for one, defined creativity as intelligence having fun.

Consistent to this, the LEGO Play Well Study 2022 found out that 9 out of 10 children think that play helps them try new ideas and do new things. While play and learn may appear to be contradicting ideas, this study from the LEGO Group shows their close correlation. Majority of the respondents said that playing is their favorite way to learn. This is why it’s important to incorporate a play-based approach in children’s learning.

Here are three classic examples of how LEGO bricks unlock children’s creativity through fun learning:

1. Let your child ask questions.

Children are naturally curious. They want to touch, explore, and understand almost anything and everything. As parents, it is your responsibility to steer your child’s curiosity towards the right path. One of the most effective ways is to ask open-ended questions like:

“What do you think would happen if we put these two bricks together?” 

“How can we build this helicopter differently?”

“How did you come up with the idea for this pirouetting ballerina?”

Doing so gets your child’s creative juices flowing. 

2. Invest in open-ended toys.

Parents these days are led to believe their kids want the latest action figures or newest gadgets, but children are happiest and their imaginations are most active when they are playing with the simplest toys like the LEGO Classic brick sets. These colorful bricks keep kids occupied for hours as they work on getting their creations just right. What’s more, LEGO bricks do not come with a single function. They are open-ended, which make them perfect for your child’s creative possibilities.

Code a maze using the 500-piece LEGO Classic Bricks and Functions. Let your child work on critical thinking skills and problem solving while building a maze using LEGO Classic Bricks and Functions (P2,299). It comes with a colorful selection of LEGO pieces—from a pirouetting ballerina to a helicopter with spinning rotors—that your kid can use on top of their creations.

Build a balloon-powered car using LEGO Classic 90 Years of Play. To start, you only need a colored balloon and a handful of LEGO bricks that you can make into a car. What’s good about the LEGO Classic 90 Years of Play (P3,499) is that it comes with 1,100 iconic LEGO bricks and toys—from a pirate ship to an elephant or yellow castle—that allow free building. While you can do this activity just for fun, there is also an opportunity to learn Science.

Learn about geography with the LEGO Classic Around the World playset. You can also take your child’s creativity to all corners of the globe with the LEGO Classic Around the World playset (P3,499). It comes with 15 build ideas based on the world’s most iconic animals and objects, like the American bald eagle or the London double decker red bus. Kids also get a colorful wall map to show the home continent of each animal and plant.

Kindle an underwater, volcanic eruption with the LEGO Classic Creative Ocean Fun. This is the perfect STEM experiment for hands-on learning that will keep your kids busy anytime. Transport your kid’s imagination to a submarine volcanic adventure with the LEGO Classic Creative Ocean Fun toy playset (P1,299). It comes with six inspiring ocean-themed builds.

Make a DIY zip line featuring the LEGO Classic Creative Monsters playset. Take your kid’s creativity up a notch and have him or her build silly monsters with the LEGO Classic Creative Monsters playset (P649). With a rainbow of colorful LEGO pieces, five toy monster build ideas, and a bag of extra bricks, this set has everything your little builder needs to build a fun lineup of mini imaginative monsters.

3. Emphasize the process, not the end product.

Many of the best learning experiences happen when people are actively engaged in making things, but that doesn’t mean you should put all your attention on the end product. Even more important is the process through which things are made. As children work on projects, highlight the process, not just the final product.

Studies show that people who have practiced creativity from a young age are happier, more emotionally intelligent, better problem solvers, more flexible thinkers, better able to express themselves, and more mentally resilient.

Check out www.bankeebricks.ph or visit the nearest LEGO Certified Store (Alabang Town Center, BGC, TriNoma, The 30th, UP Town Center). These brick sets are also available on Lazada and Shopee.