Gift Ideas for CreativityMatthew Worwood

Daddy did the Volcano already xclode? Our first weekend with GOOGLE CARDBOARD (REVIEW)

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

DFC

On Saturday my Google Cardboard arrived, and the virtual reality experience got underway… Wait let me correct that, on Saturday the Google Cardboard, which I purchased for my boys arrived, and their virtual reality experience got underway.

I purchased the Google Cardboard type goggles from D-Scope Pro

Our Google Cardboard type goggles came from D-Scope Pro. It was quick to assemble and the instructions where easy to follow.

I’m often asked to recommend mobile apps for young children, and Google Cardboard certainly falls into that category even though the technology is still in its infancy. In order to use Google Cardboard and experience it’s virtual reality on your mobile device, you’ll need to purchase* (or make) a set of goggles made out of cardboard (hence the name Google Cardboard). It was certainly fascinating to watch Lucas put them on and look around the inside of a dormant volcano. Like most children his age, he’s so accustomed to his digital world that we skipped the conversation on how it works and was able to immediately immerse himself into his first virtual reality experience.

‘Is this where the lava go?’ he said as he looked down at a hole in the floor. ‘Did it already xclode?’ I encouraged him to look up at a giant hole in the chamber’s ceiling. ‘Oh, I want to see one that hasn’t xcloded? At that point we switched it up and went to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower.

IMG_1330 (1)

Lucas was able to take in the environment and immediately made the connection he was in Paris.

At the moment you need to stretch a little to make the connection to creativity, but as the problem-solving games begin to emerge, I expect this device to present new opportunities for the user that will engage creative thinking skills at home and in the classroom. For now parents will need to guide the creative thinking by facilitating detailed observation of the virtual environment on offer, and helping children generate the type of questions that will stimulate curiosity and help make connections to the wider world. There are a lot less internal apps via Google Cardboard for the iPhone, so those with an Android have a lot more on offer, plus there are a few other virtual reality apps available such as Volcano VR, and Moorente (as well as a number of shoot-em up games that I wouldn’t recommend). Overall, I enjoyed my first weekend with Google Cardboard, but avoided the motion apps like the roller-coaster at all cost – yep, I’m one of those guys who get sick ridding the merry-go-round.

Rating for Google Cardboard

DadsforCreativity_Rating2

If you’re intrigued about Google Cardboard check out the video below from TechCrunch, or perhaps you’d like other uses for your mobile phone that engage creative thinking skills.

*If you’re interested I purchased the Google Cardboard by D-Scope Pro

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Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from ourFacebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

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Gift Ideas for CreativityMatthew Worwood

Last Minute Big Boy Toy Ideas for Father’s Day

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

Ok, I’ve been thinking about Fathers Day, and what us Dads want other than the new Apple Watch. Below are some last minute big boy toy ideas that might reengage our childhood play and/or creativity. If you’ve already got something – fear not – these can be additional Father’s Day gifts from the kids. I’ve added $ signs to indicate their price and all are available from Amazon. Those with one symbol are $50 or below, those with three symbols are over a $100. Please, please, please feel free to post some additional ideas, I will post this article again next year and can include these suggestions.

  1. Lego ($): I would say Lego is a safe bet for most Dads, but if you’re looking for the right box set, play it safe and buy one of the movie classics like Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Star Wars (make sure it’s from the original films), Lord of the Rings, or Indiana Jones. If you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated look into the Lego Creator or Lego Architecture collection.
  2. Google Cardboard ($): Today my wife said asked me what I purchased on Amazon yesterday for $23, I said Google Cardboard, she said ‘what’s that’. I said don’t worry about it! Google Cardboard is just cool, especially for it’s price. At the moment there’s not an immediate application in the home environment, but it might be of interest for the Gamer and will certainly spark the curiosity of any technology enthusiast.
  3. Arduino Starter Kit ($): There’s a lot to write about the Maker Movement, but these mini/build your own computer sets are growing in popularity and make for a great gift for any dad who’s interested in electronics or computer science. It’s also highly likely that this toy will soon expand into weekend activities with the little ones that might one day lead into a creative outcome that expands outside the home.
  4. Remote Control Helicopter ($): About five years ago my sister in-law purchased a remote control helicopter as a Christmas present. This was one of the best gifts I’ve received as an adult, and I’ve already upgraded it twice. Be sure to get a single propeller with flashing lights. These ones are challenging to fly, but not overly complicated. It’s also something the kids can learn to fly with some guidance. Mind you the Hot Wheels Flying Car is pretty cool as well.
  5. GoPro Camera ($$$): We don’t need to over think this one – or cameras in general. This are artistic gifts that have the power to get the creative juices flowing, especially if it’s accompanied with a video tutorial subscription or book. I would also say that this is another useful item to add to the household.
  6. Telescope ($$): How often do we look up at the Stars? I think a telescope would be a great way to reengage our childhood curiosity and generate new knowledge in an area that is probably unrelated to our work – this is a good thing, especially when it will likely include the kids and/or a bottle of red wine/romantic evening.

Yes, I will be forwarding this article to my wife, who will likely say it’s my Christmas, Birthday, and Father’s Day list combined.

Happy Father’s Day Weekend!

 

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Jonathan Furst

Creativity on the Fly!

by Dads for Creativity
written by Dads for Creativity

My daughter’s minor basketball injury sent us hurrying to the 24 hr walk-in clinic. But the tension in the waiting room melted away thanks to a spontaneous outburst of creative play.

Ten year-old Natalie sat between my wife and me – staring at her disturbingly swollen finger. Her nervousness and discomfort silenced her usual playful self.

She watched as I picked up six pages of forms. And then it began. Innocently enough. But once it did – there was no turning back.

First category on the form: Name

My daughter saw me write: Jonathan Flash Furst.

Natalie looked puzzled. She turned to my wife, “Mommy, daddy wrote the NAME OF OUR DOG for his middle name!!!!!” My wife rolled her eyes – as I proceeded to the next box:

Describe Location and description of injury:

I sketched a stick-figure hand with a cartoon-like throbbing finger. Natalie laughed – took the pen & drew a HUGE BOLD ARROW pointing to the injury!

We broke into laughter as a young well-dressed woman hurried ZIP-ZIP-ZIP into the clinic while talking into her cell phone. At the check-in window – she tapped her phone against it and demanded to know: “How long is this going to take – because I have to fly in two days!” Before the receptionist could answer, Ms. Zip-Zip-Zip spun away from the window and continued her cell phone conversation, “I’ll call you back when these people get me checked in.” She turned to the receptionist, “I haven’t slept in two days. My ear is oozing something. (pause) Well not right now. But it was!”

As she sat down with forms, she made a second call and repeated everything she said in the first call – but louder. Finally she finished. There was silence in the clinic.

But not for long…

I picked up my cell phone, “My heart blew a valve,” and then – just a little louder, “it was bleeding all over everything – WHAT A MESS AND HOW COULD I CLEAN IT UP!”

I saw Natalie’s face light up – tuning in to what we’ve done since she could string sentences together: creating a story on the fly.

She took the cell phone from me & played on: “…and to stop the bleeding they put a band aid on it. Of course it didn’t hold –WHO USES A BAND AID!!!…..” And on she went with the story – far beyond what I could imagine…

While a walk-in clinic is not the best locale for creative play– it did get me thinking about several basic points about creativity and how we interact with our kids:

  1. Look for opportunities to use your creative skills – playfully.
  1. Engage in structured activities for exercising your creativity – BUT also open up to spontaneous opportunities where you can create on the fly.
  1. Exercising creative thinking skills = Exercising your imagination.

Run with the spontaneity. Natalie and I leapt on a spontaneous moment. An imaginative dance took form. And isn’t it ironic for parents that once we open up and “really play” – this experience feels so familiar because it reminds us of the young kid in us – who had such open access to imagination and creativity.

Remember:

-imaginary friends, dress-up games, Barbies, creating tents & forts in our rooms or the woods, amazing buildings with blocks and Legos, designing worlds & scenarios with small toy figures and on and on….

As parents it so much fun to share sparks of creativity with our kids.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ― Maya Angelou

Entries on our blog have listed many cool activities you can share with your kids.

 Keep the creativity flowing! Share activities you do with your kids on our Dads for Creativity blog:

 We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from our Facebook page.

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Matthew Worwood

Daddy’s Day Out: Creativity is about making connections

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

Steve Jobs said creativity is all about making connections*. It’s also a creativity skill that was identified by Professor E. Paul Torrance, but in order to make connections children must be exposed to a wide variety of child friendly ‘interesting’ and ‘stimulating’ things that they can connect to their everyday experiences. As parents we must think of ways to add to the types of things children get from school and their home. Obvious examples are day trips to places like the zoo, a farm, or science museum. These types of excursions will certainly stimulate curiosity and may lead to connections that can produce future outcomes that can be considered new and useful (our general definition for Creativity). In other words, it’s important to expose your kids to extra-curricular activities that are outside there usual routine of the after school sports and music lessons.

This picture was taken at the EverWonder Museum. Even my youngest got involved in some of the science exhibits (in the blue).

This picture was taken at the EverWonder Museum. Even my youngest got involved in some of the science exhibits (in the blue).

Unfortunately zoos can certainly be expensive and are not always conveniently located, as can some aquariums and private museums, which make it difficult for them to become a regular occurrence. This can lead to the connections being short lived or the inability for your child to revisit an experience with newly acquired knowledge (which lets face it they get everyday). Some of us with the time and skills can go about substituting these day excursions with home grown activities and projects, I know of a number of Dads that have the skills to build hen houses in the garden, or create illustrious baked goods, but I like to get out and avoid making a massive mess that will need to be cleaned before Mommy gets home. So, if you’re like me I encourage you to search out low cost, hidden gems that are located not too far away from your home. Connecting with other parents is a great place to start, but searching Google maps is also helpful in locating hands-on child friendly museums to explore. Once you’ve found a few you can determine which ones are worthy of a yearly membership, which pays for itself by the third or forth visit.  Below are some of the regional organizations I visited (or plan to visit) in Fairfield County, CT.

Visited:

  • EverWonder Children’s Museum: The EverWonder Children’s Museum was founded in January 2011, by a group of mothers who enjoyed bringing their children to other children’s museums. I have always been interested in weather so anything that has a Tornado maker has my vote. This is a great regional attraction to all parents living West of Hartford CT, and wanting to ignite curiosity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This is certainly one to watch, and I’m look forward to it’s future growth.
  • Minds in Motion: Minds in Motion is a weekend event that travels to schools across Connecticut and offers exciting, fast-paced, interactive workshops for every child with every interest, Kindergarten – 8th grade. Adults can attend a keynote and thought-provoking, special-interest workshops, free of charge at every MIM event. At Minds in Motion you’ll be in a good company, and get to meet follow parents interested in cultivating creative thinking skills.
  • Stepping Stones: Stepping Stones opened in March, 2000, and was founded by Gigi Priebe in response to the needs expressed by parents, educators and community leaders actively seeking quality educational offerings to help children learn and grow. This museum has a MASSIVE water attraction that has wind tunnels, waterfalls, and opportunities to get wet.

Lucas explores the power of wind and water in the highly popular water attraction at Stepping Stones Children Museum

  • Danbury Train Museum: So my first boy loved trains, my second is certainly on his way (though he likes soccer balls as well – that’s right I have a ‘creative’ soccer player brewing). General admission to the Museum includes entry to the Museum building and its exhibits and operating layouts, and a tour of a 6-acre Railyard with over 70 pieces of historic railroad equipment and artifacts – basically massive trains for children to explore – over the holidays they also offer a Santa ride.
  • New Pond Farm: is celebrating its 30th year as an environmental education center with a small working farm. Our mission is to connect people with the land that enriches and sustains us all. This is a great opportunity for a nature walk with your bug box, but also has a little reptile house.
A young Lucas discovers a tiny bug on a nature walk at New Pond Farm in Redding, CT.

A young Lucas discovers a tiny bug on a nature walk at New Pond Farm in Redding, CT.Beardsley Zoo: A nice little Zoo that has offered free entry for Dads on Fathers day. We tend to go twice a year and enjoy it every time.

  • Danbury Airport: On the right day there’s a few spots where you can have planes flying over your head every 5-10 minutes. It’s not a whole day experience, but a nice detour on your way to whole Foods. I’m also aware that some local and regional airports have airshows, which are well worth a visit.
  • Norwalk Aquarium: This aquarium has sharks, seals, and opportunities to touch stingrays, crabs, jellyfish (which I’ve found out they now call Jellies because they’re not fish). If you go early it’s not too busy and during the summer they have a fantastic butterfly garden.

On my list to visit:

  • Dinosaur State Park: The Connecticut Valley has a long history of fossil track discoveries. Outstanding specimens uncovered in 19th century brownstone quarries found their way into museums throughout the world. A new chapter in the history of such discoveries was written in 1966 when hundreds of tracks were exposed in Rocky Hill. This remarkable site became Dinosaur State Park, and I hear has life size sculptures, and pretend digs for young children.

I’m sure there’s more out there so please comment below to let me know what I’m missing.

RELATED ARTICLE: If you’re looking for activities at home, check out ways to turn stories into movies with the iPhone.

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from ourFacebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

*Contributing content includes comments on existing articles.

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Matthew Worwood

Using Lego to make your story come alive (Lego Story Starter Kit)

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

Can we all agree that Lego is the greatest toy on the planet? It’s so great that you are still cool playing it as an adult (at least that’s what I tell myself). A colleague of mine has an office full of Lego characters and I’m filled with envy each time I go there for a meeting. I think it’s fair to say that I’ve enjoyed using Lucas to revisit my childhood toys, and I’m always looking for ways to integrate Lego into our play and learning. This weekend I used Lego to introduce my eldest to some of the things we often associate with the United Kingdom (I want him to know about Daddy’s homeland). I started by putting together a map of the country, and then using my collection of figures to create historical characters that I integrated into my story as we traveled through time, and started a really cool story about the country I call home.

Spot any characters you know? King Richard the Lion Heart, Robin Hood, Big Ben, and don't forget the coal miner!

Spot any characters you know? King Richard the Lion Heart, Robin Hood, Big Ben, and don’t forget the coal miner!

After completing our Lego session I had a better appreciation of how powerful this type of activity could be in the cultivation of storytelling skills. It’s certainly different than free play, where children interact with the toy outside of the guidance of an adult, and needs to be guided by an adult. Lego has an amazing collection of resources to expand this type of activity and help cultivate creative thinking, as well as literacy skills. I will certainly be making the investment in a story starter pack (though you might be able to work with the collections you already have) and plan on experimenting with my youngest on how we can bring classics like ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ and ‘The Three Little Pigs’ to life off the page. The focus will be identifying the beginning, middle, and end of the story and ways these parts can be changed to effect the outcome. If you’re intrigued start by checking out the Lego Story Starter Kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlcENkGqtKc

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from ourFacebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

*Contributing content includes comments on existing articles.

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Matthew Worwood

From drawing stories, to making movies: Plus 7 simple tips that make it easy

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

It’s been an absolute joy to write about Lucas and his drawing. Watching himself immerse into the imaginary worlds and stories that manifest on his sheets of paper has really got me to think about creativity and the type of content I want to share. In this article I’m going to explain how parents can capture children’s drawings and turn them into a simple movie using a mobile app like iMovie.

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There was no soccer on Saturday morning so I found myself out of my weekly routine. I’d suggested to Lucas that we make one of our father and dad YouTube shows, he declined my offer in favor of drawing, but said after he’s finished we can make a movie. While I waited for the Prince to fit me into his busy schedule I decided to play with Liam (yes on this occasion he was my second choice – second child syndrome is real!). After 15 minutes, Lucas shouted for me to come into the kitchen so he could tell me about the story he’d ‘drawed’. When I arrived I was expecting to see another book stabled together, and another 100 trees wasted, but instead I was pleasantly surprised to see, what looked like, a storyboard sequenced together on the dinning room table. My mind immediately said ‘movie’, so I grabbed my iPhone and, with his permission, began filming 8-second segments of each sheet of paper (or shot). Once I completed the filming, I opened the iMovie app and started to import the short segments into the application. I had no idea how this would turn out, but was intrigued as iMovie has some cool new features. I inserted the clips into the timeline and once they were sequenced together in the right order I asked Lucas to narrate his story – which he did happily. After that was completed (probably the best part), I polished the piece a little more by making sure the images were sequenced correctly to the narration. (made sure the words correlated to the image displayed). After the polishing I added a soundtrack and a filter and hit share on Facebook. I was really surprised and happy with the outcome, the whole activity probably took 5-10 minutes and now we have documented a wonderful moment in Lucas’s development.

I’m hoping some of you might want to replicate the experience so I’ve offered five simple tips to make it an easy process. Please be sure to post on our Facebook page or share in the comments below.

Yes you’re a moviemaker – Don’t over think it:

  1. Avoid vertical phone syndrome by holding the device horizontally. This is a practice you want to get in the habit of doing if the videos will be displayed on a computer or television screen.
  2. Keep it short and sweat. There’s rarely a need to record a segment longer than 8-12 seconds.
  3. It’s a movie, so you need to make sure the images ‘move’. This basically means move into the image so it gets closer or start close and move out. Alternatively you can move across an image, but whatever you choose make sure it’s slow and steady unless you’re going for a specific effect.
  4. Don’t over complicate the narration – simply ask your little one to tell you his or her story. If they pause, mess up, etc.. don’t worry you can edit it out afterwards. It’s better for them to be spontaneous then doing multiple takes.
  5. One of the new and cool features in iMovie is the ability to separate the audio from the video. This allows you to delete the audio so that only your narration will be heard on the final product. If this is too complicated or the feature is not available on your app just make sure the room is quite when you record the images so that you avoid any unwanted sound.
  6. Lengthen or shorten clips in the timeline to help sync the narration with the relevant images. This is probably the most ‘technical’ aspect of the project but will bring about the best results.
  7. Finally, add a soundtrack that provokes a sentimental feeling, but represents the energy and excitement of young children. Avoid anything that is too emotional and corny. It might work for you, but it will probably be too much for others.

 

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from ourFacebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

*Contributing content includes comments on existing articles.

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Matthew Worwood

Paper and Crayons: 7 ways to go from drawing to interactive storytelling

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

My boy has always enjoyed drawing, give him some crayons, paper, scissors, and a stapler, and he’ll happily work independently to produce his latest adventure book. However, this month I’ve noticed a subtle change in his use of these tools. Rather than making books to express his imagination, he’s started to play games. Like his book designs, he starts by drawing something that he’s recently been exposed to or learn about in school. (This morning it was about Hermit Crabs, though I don’t really know what these are or where they came from). After he’s drawn and colored his characters, he cuts them out and uses them as props or puppets in his play. He then takes another piece of paper (or multiple pieces of paper) and draws the setting for his game. Today it was London, but other times it’s a different continent world depending on whether it’s set on earth or in space. Once all the pieces are assembled together, he embarks on a massive interactive story experience, and it’s really wondrous to watch.

This morning the Hermit Crabs, and their separate shells, went to visit my mom in London, he felt the need to call her via FaceTime so that she could join in the game – which she happily did, and with her help he added, modified, and erased (or scribbled over) items from his paper to keep up with the evolving story. I’ve also noticed that the drawings appear more simple and less time is spent then when he typically draws – perhaps this is because of the speed in which the characters change.

Notice the sun and the weather clouds. They were drawn at different points in the evolving story.

Notice the sun and the weather clouds. They were drawn at different points in the evolving story.

Interestingly enough he rejected my offer to help improve the design of his paper puppets by trying to attach a stick – obviously he’s content and I should know better and not interfere with his setup.

Anyway, this has got me thinking about ways one might cultivate this type of interactive experience with paper crayons, so I’ve reflected on his journey and shared my theory on how this activity evolved from simply drawing. Below are seven things that I think have played a part in his ability to generate and interact with the stories that he create – feel free to let me know if I’m missing anymore!

  1. Read, Read, Read! There’s an overwhelming amount of evidence about how important it is to read to your children. We started reading to Lucas when he was three months, and buy nine months it was certainly a well established routine. He now absolutely loves books, but more importantly the stories that are locked up inside. I’m working on his younger brother now, but confess I’ve started a little late – yep second child syndrome here we come!
  2. Expose your children to different topics. See it as a library of ideas that they can draw upon in their games and drawings. Try and show picture of videos via the Internet. If he or she is talking about snakes – show videos and pictures of snakes.
  3. Find a supply of cheep paper and crayons and don’t get too setemental – you cannot keep EVERY thing they produce when it’s in mass quantity like Lucas – who needs a plain piece of paper for every new game. Scrap paper does not suffice.
  4. Made a conscious effort to integrate paper and crayons into his play when out in public – I’m saying this because I am a conscious effort to avoid becoming over reliant on the iPad*.
  5. Early on we asked questions about his drawings, and praised the detail of his imagination as opposed to focusing on his drawing skills. Though we also played some drawing tutorials on YouTube, which he seemed to like.
  6. I’ve discussed with him the idea that most stories have a beginning, middle, and end. I accompany this with an effort to avoid bringing the game or story to an abrupt end because it’s bath time. Instead I suggest that you try and give advanced warning when they need to rap it up and if this isn’t working sit down with them and help facilitate it’s conclusion.
  7. Finally, be sure to sit down and challenge them to share the creation. This is important because part of storytelling, it ‘telling’ the story. They need an audience, which is why I think he wanted to call my mom this morning, as both myself, and the wife were busy getting ready for work.

 

IMG_6570

One of Lucas’s first paintings. Notice how the colors represent different engines from Thomas the Tank Engine.

I think there’s a lot more to this story and I’m really loving the concept of an interactive story generated with paper and crayons, but unfortunately my train has arrived at the station and so I must depart.

*We’re going through so much paper so recently I’ve actually tried to encourage him to draw on the iPad, but he’s not having it!

FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from our Facebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

*Contributing content includes comments on existing articles.

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Matthew Worwood

When did you last play the cloud game?

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

One day when Lucas was two years old, we sat back on a tiny hill outside our house and looked up at the clouds in the sky. I introduced him to the concept that clouds take on different shapes, and that with our imagination these shapes can become objects or animals floating in the sky. Two years later this has become one of his favorite games in the car whenever we’re on a long drive (which for Lucas is classified as anything longer than five-minutes).

As I’ve referenced many times, the ability to produce and consider many alternatives is considered a characteristic of creativity, or more specifically one of the creative thinking skills identified by E. Paul Torrance. Below is a list of seven items that I remember Lucas coming up with for the cloud below. Unfortunately, he had to scream for me to look at the crocodile head before I realized he was even playing the game.

  • Dragon
  • Skeleton Dinosaur
  • Turtle
  • Snow Mountain
  • Crocodile Head
  • Spaceship

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FREE FILM for parents and educators

We believe the first stage in counteracting the imbalance of creativity verses content, starts at home. Help us share the word on Facebook and Twitter.

Anyone who shares or contributes content* will receive a FREE download to Creativity in Education: Exploring the Imbalance.

Unfortunately, we’re not super sophisticated (or perhaps lack creativity) so in order for us to know that you’ve shared content we need you to tweet to @dads4creativity or share from our Facebook page. We’ll follow up with details via a private message.

*Contributing content includes comments on existing articles.

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Matthew Worwood

The Great Outdoors: 5 Tips for Raising Wild Butterflies

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

There are few things more exciting than exposing your child to the wonders of nature – it’s magic, and is guaranteed to ignite curiosity in ways almost unobtainable elsewhere. This article shares a nature story involving two caterpillars, and five tips for raising wild butterflies.  

Last fall, my eldest found several colorful caterpillars in his Nana’s garden. This particular species were fond of parsley and could always be found munching on the storks of the parsley bush. My eldest would visit them regularly and eventually wanted to take some home “so they will be safe.” Reluctantly I gave in to his demands and gathered up one caterpillar – soon to be accompanied by a second one.

We took them home, knowing absolutely nothing about caterpillars. At first, I encouraged my eldest to observe and draw them. However, after a few hours, my eldest wanted to feed them; so we offered them some lattice, fruit, and even greens from the Dill family, but as I later found out caterpillars are incredibly picky creatures and would only eat the fresh goods from Nana’s garden. This meant we had to run to Nana’s house every other day to top up on food, and the more they ate, the more they pooped – these creatures literally transformed into pets, and I had to Google how to look after them successfully. 

This is a picture of Lucas looking for the caterpillars
My eldest searching for more Caterpillars

After looking after these caterpillars for a month, I realized I needed to increase my knowledge of how to support their transition into butterflies, so I took to Google. It was suggested I add some sticks to replicate their natural habitat. Two weeks later, the magic happened, and within a couple of days, both had begun to form a chrysalis. First, it was green, but then it took on the same shape, color, and form as the branches I had added. It was super cool and my eldest was beyond ecstatic. He took the little cage to school, almost as if they were his favorite pets.  

The forming of the chrysalis.

These creatures stayed in their tiny homes throughout the winter and we placed them on a top shelf until they were almost forgotten. Then one morning in early spring my son came bursting up the stairs to share the news that we had successfully raised two beautiful Black Swallowtail Butterflies. It was an incredible moment and one I will genuinely cherish for years to come. After a few days of observation and awe, we finally let him free during the morning of a beautiful sunny spring day. 

However, this experience has left a special place for butterflies in my heart. More importantly, it was a journey of collaborative discovery as my eldest and I learned how to raise wild butterflies at home. 

Five Tips for Raising Wild Butterflies

  • Be sure to identify the plant where the caterpillar was found. This is likely their favorite food should be what you feed them.
  • Place a damp kitchen towel on the ground of your enclosure. Caterpillars poop little black pellets and this makes it easier to clean up.
  • Find a stick or branch that can be placed at an angle in the enclosure. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but they need something when they come to making their chrysalis.
  • Don’t worry about adding water. These guys get all the fluid they need from their food (at least that’s what Google told me).
  • Once the chrysalis has formed, it’s reasonably secure. If you’ve found a caterpillar in the fall, it won’t hatch until the following spring, but during the summer, it might only take a couple of weeks.

Finally, once the butterfly does hatch, don’t panic, most won’t need to eat during their first 24/48 hours. When they do look for food they will look for nectar so find some fresh flowers or fruit. And remember, butterflies are more fragile than caterpillars so handle them with care and release soon after they emerge from their chrysalis.

Once they hatched we had to move them into a larger enclosure. We kept them there for a couple of days and then let them go.
Once hatched we moved them into a larger enclosure, before letting them go a few days later.

*For disclaimer, this is my first year raising butterflies, and my only experience was Black Swallowtail Butterflies. 

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Matthew Worwood

Michaels Makes for a Great Birthday Party

by Matthew Worwood
written by Matthew Worwood

Have you ever been to Michaels? It’s an Arts and Craft store that promotes itself as a ‘place where creativity happens’. If you’re looking to get your little one into some type of regular activity then this is a place worth exploring. Once more, most Michaels offer a regular art and craft class on Saturdays at very little cost.

Now I’m not writing to promote Michaels, I’m merely setting up this article to talk about birthday parties that promote some creative thinking. First of all – a winter birthday requires some problem-solving anyway, especially when you have temperatures well below freezing and frozen snow over a foot deep. Luckily, we live in a location that has a number of in-door possibilities for kiddie parties, but they’re really really expensive once you break over ten people. More importantly, they all start to become the same experience, so I really wanted to find something a little different, and perhaps a little cheaper seen as my youngest has his birthday only a few weeks later. So, I started to look for alternatives and came across Michaels in Brookfield, CT. I popped into the store and found the staff to be polite and extremely energetic. Booking the room is simple because it doesn’t appear to be a prime location for parties so we literally could choose any day, time, and even throw in a snow day. The toughest part of the experience is identifying an age appropriate craft. The staff offers some advice, but I wasn’t feeling their suggestions as I was on my ‘I want to be different’ kick. As Lucas is currently into space, planets, and learning about the solar system, it seemed appropriate to propose something space related. After looking around the aisle I saw some small polystyrene balls that are used to create models of atoms. As my science days are far behind me I just looked at them and saw plants. Now, I started to think about a 3D space scene and immediately began looking for some type of box, which I quickly found on sale. I purchased twenty, gathered some paints, stars, spaceships, and we were ready for launch.

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The only down side with my planning was running out of time to explore how the planets might best be hung in the box. Luckily some clever parents quickly solved this challenge on the day, and I think for the most part it was a great experience, that offered a little bit of originality, creativity, and at significantly less money than other alternatives – it even engage the parents in some creative thinking. So, for anyone planning a children’s party in the near future I encourage you to get creative and explore some art and craft options. With a simple activity, room, and materials, there’s an endless array of possibilities.

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