Just give 'em a chance.

What's the best way to inspire little children to create? The art class that is so loved by parents and children that there's a one-year waiting list? The essay contest with the clever title? The music lessons from top-notch instructors?

Those things are stimulating, and can be a lot of fun, but don't overthink it. 

Getting kids to tap their ability to concoct and construct is as simple as putting materials in front of them. All they need is a chance to use their hands! 

Give them some blocks. Some play dough. Crayons. Boxes, paint, and glue. They love to build, squish, shape, decorate, and experiment, the whole time filing away ideas and concepts to be utilized again at later times.

Here's an excellent, inexpensive recipe for play dough that I found online and made for the kidlings today. They have been occupied with it for the last three hours, and the ingredients for one batch cost me about $0.75!

1. Mix 1c flour, 2t cream of tartar, and 1/3c salt in a saucepan. 

2. Add 1c water and 1T vegetable oil, and mix well (it's okay if it's a little lumpy).

3. Stir over med-low heat (and add some food coloring now, if you like) until it's... uh.... like play dough. It goes from a gooey mess, to balling up when you stir it.

4. Let it cool - it only takes a few minutes - and knead out any remaining lumps.

5. Give it to the child that's been bouncing around your ankles this entire time.

6. Repeat until all the children are sitting quietly at the table with colorful snakes, snowmen, cookies, igloos, bowls, etc. It took five batches for my brood.