It’s gift-giving season, which can be hard when you are on a budget or practicing a minimalist lifestyle. Today’s modern lifestyle is filled with electronic device gifts. Children need time to be creative, and gifts can inspire them.  Here’s a list of 25 special gifts that actually inspire creativity. (Click the photos to find out more!)

From natural self-hardening clay to magnetic wooden blocks, there is a special gift for everyone your list. Most of these creative presents are eco-friendly and cost a range of prices. They are perfect for stocking stuffers or under the tree. Most are appropriate for all genders. 

Why is Creativity Important?

Creativity is important to our well-being and happiness. Hence, human beings are naturally creative. These gifts will motivate children to put down their electronic devices and explore their imaginative side. Creativity helps us with problem-solving and is an important life skill we should foster in youth. In addition, we learn to improvise when we are creative.

Many schools have cut art programs, yet as parents we can fill in those gaps this holiday season with these special gifts. According to early childhood researcher Kristen M. Kemple, “Families of creative children allow their children to make their own mistakes, with the apparent understanding that through flexibility and freedom the child can learn to correct and overcome mistakes.”^[1]https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A%3A1009555805909 The benefits of creativity are boundless. We can nuture this creativity by providing time and supplies for inspiration.

Special gifts that inspire creativity are open-ended. Therefore, there is no right way to use them. According to Australia’s National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program, “Children are born predisposed to be creative. It is our job to nurture children’s creativity and allow it to flourish and find expression.”^[2]http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/NQS_PLP_E-Newsletter_No44.pdf This holiday season choose gifts to foster and support innovation, orginality, artistry, and inventiveness. As a result, your children will be mentallly healtheir and happier as a result.