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The presence of video games, portable DVD players, and a multitude of other electronic toys have made it possible for parents to find a few quiet moments. These modern amenities have the ability to capture your kids' attention and keep them entertained for hours. Is this a good thing?

While many enjoy the silence that comes with electronic babysitters, some parents wonder what effect these attention-grabbers are having on their children's imaginations. If you find yourself wondering how to keep your kids busy without stifling their creative development, invest some time creating an atmosphere that encourages your kids to create their own means of entertainment.

Art

Art, in one of its many forms, is probably the most common ways that parents equip children for creative expression. Art is a great creative outlet because it takes on so many forms and can be used in such a wide variety of ways. Anything from painting, to modeling with clay, to playing with chalk on a sidewalk could be the key that opens the door to your child's creative capabilities. Don't get stuck trying to push your kids into traditional artistic molds. Remember that the process of discovering what it means to be creative is sometimes as important as the creations themselves.

Building

While architecture is certainly a form of fine art, your kids will begin to develop different creative portions of their personalities when allowed to formulate plans, and then take part in the process of putting them together. Whether it is a set of interlocking blocks, or a tree house, encourage your kids to design what they want to build. You may be surprised to find that some kids excel at designing, while others excel at executing the plans and assembling the project. Giving your kids creative opportunities like this will allow them to begin the process of self-discovery and may even help them to begin formulating some ideas about who they want to be, or thoughts about what they want to do when they are older.

Landscaping

Do you trust your kids with a little piece of your yard? Don't get nervous. If you take the time to explain what types of plants bloom when, and the difference between annuals and perennials, kids are surprisingly good at planning flowerbeds. You might not want to do it right in the middle of the front lawn or in a show garden, but find some space in your flowerbeds and divide it up equally between the kids. Allow them to plan, plant, and then care for their own space. Not only will their creative juices get rolling when you give them a chance to design their own garden space, but they may also learn some valuable lessons about water, fertilizer, and how plants interact with the rest of the earth.

Whatever you do, don't underestimate how important it is to give your kids opportunities to be creative. Entertainment is great, and movies and games have their place, but balance, as in everything else in life, is the key.