Creativity for Kids®, from the Faber-Castell® Company, and Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian teamed up to prepare and empower the next generation of thinkers through a new category of hands-on creative invention products.
The launch of Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian Inventive Creativity™ Kits was inspired by the desire to provide children with the same hands-on experience at home that they would feel when visiting Spark!Lab™ at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. This new line introduces eight scenario-based activities that encourage kids in open-ended play while honing their problem-solving skills. Like the activities in Spark!Lab, these kits demonstrate everyone can be inventive!
“Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian activities introduce kids to the process of invention, the same process real inventors use, and help to develop 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking and creativity in a fun, open-ended way,” said Jamie Gallagher, CEO of Faber-Castell® USA. “As in the physical Spark!Lab, these Inventive Creativity Kits show kids that they CAN be inventive, and that the invention process is fun – maybe even more so if it takes a few tries to get there.”
From building a bridge to reach friends on an island to inventing your own game, each Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian activity presents kids with a unique obstacle to overcome. With the scenario in front of them and Smithsonian objects as points of inspiration, kids use the Spark!Lab™ invention process (Think It, Explore It, Sketch It, Create It, Try It, Tweak It) to come up with their own unique solution, then bring their ideas and creations to life using the materials in the kit.
Necessity can often be the spark of invention, which makes Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian’s Inventor’s Studio activity all the more exciting. Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they use the included inventor’s booklet, invention process and tools to jumpstart their inventive thinking. The Inventor’s Studio also comes with more than 150 materials and an idea starter 3D shape to help them on their journey.
Other Creativity for Kids Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian products such as:
- Invent Fantastic Flying Machines
- Invent a Motorized Robot
- Invent Super Shoes
- Invent Boundless Bridges
- Invent the Greatest Board Game
- Invent Cool Cash
- Invent Terrific Toys
Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian Inventive Creativity™ Kits are available for purchase at the National Museum of American History as well as online:
Amazon
Creativity for Kids
Online Science Mall
Fun Stuff Toys
Cat & Mouse Games
Smart Kids Toys
About Spark!Lab™ Smithsonian
Spark!Lab™ is a hands-on invention activity space developed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. There are currently five Spark!Lab locations in the United States, including Draper Spark!Lab in Washington, DC, at the National Museum of American History. The Lemelson Center engages, educates, and empowers the public to participate in technological, economic, and social change. Through historical research, educational initiatives, exhibitions, and public programming the Lemelson Center advances new perspectives on invention and innovation and fosters interactions between the public and inventors. For more information, visit http://invention.si.edu.
About Faber-Castell®
Faber-Castell® USA is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and is part of the global network of Faber-Castell companies in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Malaysia. Faber-Castell was founded more than 250 years ago as a pencil manufacturer and today is known for its high-quality, professional art supplies and fine writing instruments and accessories. Faber-Castell is the leading provider of best quality creative experiences for a lifetime. Faber-Castell Children’s brands include Creativity for Kids® (CreativityforKids.com) and Faber-Castell Premium Children’s Art Products (GreatArtStartsHere.com). For more information about Faber-Castell USA, go to FaberCastell.com. High-res photos are available.
