When I was a young girl my great-grandparents, and even my grandparents, would have conversations with me that started off with “When I was a child…”. They would go on to tell me about playing stick ball, shooting marbles, hopscotch and hide-n-go-seek.
Back when I was a child many children were already becoming addicted to TV (MTV especially) and arcade games. Thankfully I didn’t get caught up in all the technology. I didn’t even have an Atari system. My mom bought me Intellivision (do you remember that?). I did like to play arcade games but the nearest games were at a donut shop a couple of miles from my home so I would either walk or ride my bike there. At least I was getting some exercise.
I grew up in the country. I was hardly ever home. From sunrise to sunset I was always outside (when I didn’t have school of course). I was very creative and made “toys” out of rocks, sticks and other miscellaneous things. I used to love to build forts in the back of our house too (back in the woods). I had a great imagination and could spend hours just playing by myself.
Sadly I think “imagination” might be on the verge of extinction with children these days. Most children are caught up in technology, television and video games. I’m sure if you gave any random child a big box (like the kind a fridge would come in) they would have no clue what to do with it. As child who uses his/her imagination would be able to come up with my ideas for the box including a fort, play house, space ship, magical “wardrobe” and so much more.
My kids are teenagers now so it’s not as easy to spark some creativity or imagination in them. When they were younger it was so much easier.
I’m not the only person who is concerned about the lack of imagination today’s children have, compliments of technology. Others feel the same way.
Pump It Up, a national leader in the children’s entertainment category, is fighting to reverse that trend through a proactive “Save Childhood, Support Imagination” campaign that urges Moms to commit to increased imaginative playtime and provides tools to help them accomplish this goal.
To kick off the national initiative, Pump It Up is encouraging Moms to sign an “Imagination Declaration,” in which they commit to 1 hour each day engaging in imaginative playtime with their children in an effort to result in lifestyle changes for families across the country. To pump up parents for the challenge, the company has also created a fun “Imagination Evaluation”, a quiz to help Moms and their kids measure their imaginations.
As an added resource, Moms who sign the pledge can opt-in to receive a monthly email with helpful tips to keep their pledge to Support Imagination at home. Moms are also encouraged to visit the Support Imagination blog for additional creative ideas, research and insights on increasing imaginative playtime for kids throughout the year.
In addition to the campaign, Pump It Up has made some changes in its own private party franchises across the nation to encourage imaginative play. Recently changing its tagline to “Pump It Up: Where Your Imagination Comes to Play,” the company rolled out “Adventure Parties,” which take children through imaginary journeys as Pirates and Superheroes with new experiences added each year.
FYI… I was not compensated for this post. I am simply sharing this important information for the benefit of my site readers.
Did you know that according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, imaginative play is essential in child development? It’s a critical element contributing to their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of a child. Research shows that imaginative play is important in developing a child’s social skills, self-control and emotional strength.
If you are unfamiliar with Pump It Up, here is a little more information.
The national leader in the children’s entertainment category, Pump It Up is a 150-unit franchise specializing in private birthday parties and programs like field trips, camps, seasonal events, and Pop-In Playtime − an open to the public jump time offered for kids to engage in active play in a safe and controlled indoor environment. Known by most parents as their “kids’ favorite place,” Pump It Up prides itself on offering a trained, safety-oriented staff committed to serving families in a fun stress-free environment. For your local Pump It Up locations, holiday hours, and events, visit www.PumpItUpParty.com.
If you would to learn more about “Save Childhood, Support Imagination,” test your imagination with the “Imagination Evaluation,” or sign the “Imagination Declaration,” please visit www.SupportImagination.com.
Pump It Up would like to award two lucky winners 4 passes to their nearest Pump It Up location. You can see if there is a location near you by visiting http://www.pumpitupparty.com/locator-main.aspx. Each winner will received four FREE child passes.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on April 26, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winners will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to respond or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please leave a comment on this post and tell me how you encourage your child’s or grandchild’s imagination?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) however you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated in any way for this post. I am posting this for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.
Saver Sara says
I try to encourage lots of open play and artwork.
Shelly says
We encourage dress up, puppet shows, dance and singing!! And lots of outside playtime:) We love Pump It up Tucson!!!
Jamie says
I try to give them an oppurtunity to let my boys think for themselves. After we moved I gave them the boxes, a roll of tape and g a room to build forts, castles, tents and racecars… They had a blast with it!
Lalita Malone says
I let my 5 year old daughter have my old digital camera and she takes pictures of the most random things in our backyard and in the neighborhood. She then draws pictures of her photos and writes a little summary of what she photographed. She makes me little booklets all the time. She’s not allowed to use the stapler just yet so I get to help her out. I also help her spell things correctly. So I’m also her Editor. 😉 I agree that too many kids are too “plugged in” these days and can’t find pleasure in the simple things like writing and drawing from their own imagination or just playing in costumes and pretending to be a character. My 3 year old daughter is a Princess-Pirate-Doctor-Cowgirl most days of the week.
We’ve been to a Pump It Up birthday party once and my kids and I loved it. Now, I’m thinking about having one for when my 5 year old turns 6 this June. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity and you’ve got a new follower!
Lalita Malone
Oceanside, CA
Elvia says
I encourage my kids to use their imagination through arts, n crafts. They love to paint rocks (making them to look like lady bugs, spiders, etc). They also like walking through the neighborhood and collecting different kinds of leaves, then making a collage.
a siebe says
We love PumpItUp!! We take our grandchildren there. There is a location near us; it was closed for awhile, but has reopened.
We love to draw and tell stories. My husband spent several days building them a “fort” in our backyard. The kids love our backyard and our trampoline.
We would love to win some passes. Thanks.
Sandy VanHoey says
We do many things, we let my grandson build with his lego’s and we have many, many crafts for him to use. My grandson also loves creating his own stories and we usually hear a couple a day. He loves reading and his imagination gets pretty wild
Janet F says
I encourage my grandson’s imagination by telling stories to each other, playing guessing games and outdoor games that we make up using stuff we find in the yard.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Anita says
I encourage their imagination by letting them play with anything and everything… even if it means pushing the couches together in the living room or hanging upside down from a tree limb (as long as I don’t have to watch!) LOL 🙂
jamie braun says
we encourage our kids imagination through music and art! our 12 year old plays the guitar, out 11 year old is quite an actress and has been in many plays in town… also, we encourage them by just letting them be themselves!
Jennifer T. says
I just allow my daughter to pretend with my clothes and jewelry for dress-up. She colors and plays with art supplies everyday.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Kim says
we ask him about nature when we’re on walks.. have him make up stories
mell says
We encourage imaginative play and free thinking.
clarissa says
we limit “screen” time and have them play outdoors a lot
Jeanine @MommyEntourage says
I support creativity in my children and imagination by letting them be themselves and role play when they want to! My daughter likes being a princess and my son is Spiderman or a Star Wars action figure. We also vary our activities and encourage giggles and laughter!
Lindley A says
We like to read a lot of different books together to fuel the imagination- thanks!
Marci says
Keep the tv off and no screen time during the day. That way she has to use her imagination to entertain herself!
AEKZ2 says
Honestly, I don’t think that I do anything– my children have always been very imaginative on their own. My children like to draw.