Create a kit. A date kit. Ready to go, when you're on the go. Sometimes fun can't wait. So don't make it. Be ready. Everything you need for a date (or a group date, or to entertain kids) is in the kit. RTG. Ready to go.
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This is the EZ Breezy Kit • When it's a beautiful day, take it outside.
Kit includes: blanket, napkins, drinks, appetizer, main course, dessert, and an activity of playing big ball volleyball.
We tried this out with a youth group and it was a hit. (And we actually did it inside a gym.)
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Creativity is about thinking. And I've been thinking about creativity, or the lack thereof, for awhile. I decided to take from my notes THINGS WE CAN DO TO DEVELOP CREATIVITY (from an article, The Creativity Crisis by Po Bronson Ashley Merryman) and put ideas into action with Creative Kickstarts. These are things that can be done, if they are done, to help on the road to being more creative, imaginative, and excited about life.

Energy, engagement and enlightenment are products of creativity.

Here's a website, TheyDrawAndCook.com, that I found (and talked about it in this post)So that the adults don't have all the fun, they have a KIDS DRAW AND COOK section. Your kids, and you, can draw a recipe and use their forum to display the work. 

This is an ideal activity to kickstart some of these creative engines -

     • Create problem/solution exercises
     • Emphasize idea generation
     • Fact-finding is a stage in the creative process
     • Practice creative activities to recruit the brains' creative networks and gradually change neurological patterns
     • Apply approach as an everyday process of work or school
     • Recognize and nurture creativity

The thing about becoming a creative thinker is that it requires action. Actually doing something. This might be a little uncomfortable at first. Realize you are maybe working new parts of your brain - strengthening your creativity intelligence.

Creative Kickstart: 
Sketch out a few ideas for your Draw and Cook recipe

     • Pick a recipe (family, favorite, or funny one?)
     • How would you lay it out so that someone could follow the recipe?
     • What engaging element would you add to get people's attention?
     • Sketch out several ideas
     • Take one refine it, finish it and submit it 

Even if you don't submit to DrawAndCook.com still do this activity, your brain won't take back the process because you didn't submit on their website.
 
 
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  1. take someone with you
  2. engage in conversation 
  3. ask a docent (a guide who knows about the museum and its exhibitions) for a tour
  4. encourage taking your art journal to make notes about things of interest to you - works of art, history, collections you like, etc.
  5. if taking notes in your art journal, do so in pencil, pen inks can leave accidental marks that can damage art (just look at how many times an ink pen has marked up your purse or a pocket) and a docent may come and scold you.
  6. don't drink, snack or have candy/gum 
  7. travel light through a museum, don't do big and bulky
  8. though artwork is beautiful and you might be amazed that something is really a painting don't reach out to touch artwork. 
  9. no flash photography is sometimes allowed but if it is it's only of their permanent collection and for personal use (not published or internet use)
  10. don't rush, take your time in the museum
 
 
Hamilton Youth Art Exhibition
Hamilton Youth Art Exhibition
Picture Hamilton Youth Art Exhibition
Hamilton Youth Art Exhibition
It was an exciting end to the workshops - A Youth Art Exhibition. The kids did great and got the experience of 
personal art making to the culmination of public art sharing. 
Some of the youth even made sales on their artwork.
 


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