You don’t need to spend loads of money on art supplies to boost your child’s creativity. All you need is a sheet of paper and a pencil to have some fun. Here are six great ideas to relieve boredom. Alone, or with your family, it’s very easy!
By Marie-Josée Roy
1. Exquisite corpse
Invented by surrealists at the beginning of the 20th century, this group game is still enjoyed by many today. The rules are simple: players must take turns to add a word to a sentence following the order “The adjective, noun, adverb, verb, adjective, noun”. Each player folds the paper over their added word so that nobody can see what the previous person wrote. At the end, unfold the paper to reveal the finished sentence. You’re sure to be in stitches!
2. Homemade cartoons
Make a flipbook to show your child how the first cartoons were created. Simply draw your first figure in the bottom right corner of a notebook. On the next page, in the same spot, draw the same figure again, this time changing something about them, like the position of their arm or foot, for example. Do this with each page and continue for about 20 more pages. Next, flip the pages quickly to see your drawing come to life!
3. Heads, Bodies and Legs
Each player has a sheet of paper on which they must first draw a head. Next, the paper is folded so that only the lines of the neck are visible. Everyone then passes their sheet to the person on the left, who draws the torso and folds the paper again before passing to the next player. The next player draws the legs. After the drawing is finished, unfold the sheets of paper to reveal the funny characters you’ve created!
4. Win, Lose or Draw
Players take turns to make the others guess a word or expression by using only a pencil and a sheet of paper. Players can choose what they want to draw or themes can be decided, such as sports, travel destinations, or something from Nebulous Stars! Choose words that everyone will know and adjust the time allowed according to players’ ages.
5. Origami
Folding paper is an art that has been practised for centuries in Asia, where experts have created magnificent origami pieces. To get your children interested in this ancestral art, show them how to make a paper fortune teller, also known as a paku-paku. This paper game from our childhood is sure to bring fun and laughter as you “tell the future”. Children can use it to play with their friends, even remotely.
6. Drawing with words
For children who need more of a challenge, here’s a creative activity for them to try. Choose an inspiring quote and a simple shape, like a star for example. Next, write the quote while trying to form the shape you decided on. Play around with word placement and letter shape and add little drawings. Start over as many times as you need to get a result you like. Your finished drawing will look great on your bedroom door!