Sometimes it is fun to mix up the usual routine a bit and add something different. A question to promote innovative thinking may be what is needed to set a child’s imagination running.
What if we didn’t have a cup or a water bottle?
Idea #1: Instead of setting the table with a cup put a square sheet of paper in the cup’s place. (8 ½ x 8 ½ is simple, because you can just cut the bottom off of an 8 ½ x 11 paper). You can talk to your kids about coming up with solutions and making what they have work.* You can teach them how to make a paper cup to use with dinner. (Instructions shown below.) Note: After the cup is made, pour only the amount of water into it that you are going to drink right then. The cup gets soggy if water is left in it, and it doesn’t stand on its own.
Idea #2: A similar idea would be to take a short family hike and have you be the only one with a water bottle. Take two square sheets of paper for each person. When they get thirsty, see if they can use the first piece of paper to create a cup. Let them all try for a while….it might be pretty innovative what they come up with! Next, you could teach them how to make the paper cup shown.
This activity is enjoyable. Leaving the routine just slightly makes kids think and consider things in a creative way.
*A hundred years ago some Americans made clothes from their cloth flour sacks, and they also made toothbrushes from horse hair.
Love this idea! We’ll have to try it tonight!