You need to make sure you're providing a 'Yes' environment for them in some areas of the house. They hear 'No' and 'Don't do that' often enough. Silly puddy, clay and Playdoh. It's nothing, and you make it what you want. Dress-up props let children imagine themselves to be anyone in any time.
Finger paints, crayons and blank paper encourage children to create their own images.
Coloring books restrict children to one vision, Townley said. Sand, blocks, Legos and water. As a society, we value creativity because that's where new ideas come from. Generally, as a society, we don't encourage creativity, but industry does rewards people for their creativity. If your bird is made out of triangles, that's fine.