Creativity Brain Training Games

There has been a bit of talk recently about the idea of introducing programming in the curriculum for schools (for everyone, not just as part of a computer subject).  Andy Young has a very good article discussing the merits of this idea.  Someone recently asked my about my thoughts on the topic so I thought it would be good to discuss it here.  I would encourage you to leave your thoughts as a comment below as I believe this is an important idea to discuss and consider.

This week we're choosing.

Game:  There are 5 random words below.  You are walking down the street and a man approaches you.  He says "Here are 5 words, it is imperative that you pick one of them, now!".  You ask him why and all he will reply with is "You must select one."  Which word will you choose?

• university
• end
• court
• kiosk
• game

Ok, so this week it's a slightly different challenge.  It's a Loopy Logo.  To the right you will see a logo for a fictional company.  I created it using 2 random words and 2 random images from our Idea generator.  Your challenge is to be as creative as you can and come up with an idea for what the company does as well as a slogan for them.  Feel free to be as wacky and out there as you like.  Your business idea doesn't necessarily have to be a real world viable one.

The essence of creativity is perspective.  A different perspective sheds a whole new light on the matter, introducing new ideas.  Anything we can do to help us gain new perspectives then is great for encouraging creative thinking.  So here's an easy way to start getting some new perspectives.  Not saying it is guaranteed to lead to great new ideas but it's a good place to start.  It all has to do with the different ways in which our minds can process information.

This week we're associating.

Game:  There are 3 random words below.  Your aim is to pick one word which can be added before or after each of these words to add interesting meaning to each of them.  They don't have to be actual words, just be as creative as possible. (see below for further explanation)

• microscope
• energy
• section

This week we have another hasty hieroglyph.  A slightly more cryptic challenge.

This week it's something you may take on a hike, hidden behind a series of images.

Each image leads to a letter of the hidden word.

You'll have to think creatively in order to decipher it.

Why not challenge your friends.

See who can figure it out first.

Have fun!

This week we're adding a hidden pun.

Game:  There are 5 random words listed below.  Your aim is to create a Tom Swifty using one of the random words (It can be the word directly or the word as inspiration).  (see Strategy below for what a Tom Swifty is)

• carousel
• shirt
• pasta
• window
• toffee

This week we have another hasty hieroglyph.  A slightly easier challenge.

This week it's an important part of a country, hidden behind a series of images.

Each image leads to a letter of the hidden word.

You'll have to think creatively in order to decipher it.

Why not challenge your friends.

See who can figure it out first.

Have fun!

This week we're condensing.

Game:  There are 2 random words below.  Your aim is to use them to write a 6 word story.  Even though you only have 6 words, try and make is as powerful as possible.  Be creative.

• daisy
• cowboy

This week we have another hasty hieroglyph.  A slightly more cryptic challenge.

This week it' something from the stars hidden behind a series of images.

Each image leads to a letter of the hidden word.

You'll have to think creatively in order to decipher it.

Why not challenge your friends.

See who can figure it out first.

Have fun!

This week we're hypothesising.

Game:  There are 5 random words below.  Use one of them as the basis for the most interesting hypothetical question you can based upon something being different or not existing.  Start your question with "Imagine what the world would be like if..."

• tortoise
• sedative
• fin
• spy
• artillery