Pushing the Envelope

Another way to practice creative fluency is to begin with an idea, object or subject and brainstorm wilder and crazier possibilities. This little game can help.

If I Didn’t...

A good book to “prime the mind:” Jenny’s Hat by Ezra Jack Keats

This game can be played alone but is better when played with others. If you play it in a group, sit in a circle and go around the circle as many times as you can. Try to get more and more ridiculous or outrageous. (Keep pushing the envelope!)

Person A:              If I didn’t have a cup, I’d drink from a __________________________ .

Person B:              If I didn’t have that, I’d use a __________________________ .

Persons C, etc.      If I didn’t have that, I’d use a __________________________ .

When you simply cannot think of one more idea, do one or more of the following, alone or with a partner:

• Draw a picture of a person drinking from something unusual.
• Construct a new object for drinking.
• Act out a skit or write a story about cups had disappearing.
• Write a 1^st person song or poem, “I am a cup…”

Repeat the game with one or more of these objects:

• a house
• a television
• a chair
• a pair of shoes
• a television
• bed
• pencil
• coat
• pet dog
• bicycle
• ball
• jump rope
• microphone
• cookie

Crazy Combos

Push the envelope by imagining everyday objects/subjects with new characteristics.

A good book to “prime the mind:” Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

This game can be played alone or with a partner.

• Write the objects/subjects on separate cards.
• Write the characteristics in another color on their own cards.
• Randomly choose one from each set of cards; e.g., “Tall Chair.”
• Draw, construct, act out, dance or write a poem, story or song about the combination. (If you really don’t like the results, try again.)
• Optional: Choose just one object/subject but several characteristics.