It is the new year and this means that American Girl has revealed their 2016 girl of the year doll! This year, I am happy to have partnered with American Girl to help introduce Lea Clark to our readers. Keep reading to learn more about Lea and her amazing collection. And for the best part, thanks to American Girl, ONE lucky reader will win a Lea Doll for the little adventurer in their lives. Good luck!
American Girl 2016 Girl of the Year
About Lea™
Lea, the 2016 Girl of the Year, is a talented photographer with an adventurous spirit. In her story, Lea discovers a wide world of possibilities when she embarks on a faraway adventure to Brazil. The 18”Lea doll has warm hazel eyes, medium skin, and long wavy hair. Lea arrives in a colorful dress with braided trim, underwear, and sandals with crisscrossed laces. Also included are her colorful canvas messenger bag, a pretend compass necklace, and the Lea Dives In paperback book by Lisa Yee.
With Lea, your little adventurer can show her creative side. Plus from January 1 through December 31, 2016, for every purchase of one of the three plush animals in Lea’s collection—the margay, sea turtle, or sloth—American Girl will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $100,000) to World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The Lea collection is available through American Girl’s catalogue; at americangirl.com; at all American Girl retail locations nationwide; and at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo™ and Chapters™ in Canada and El Palacio de Hierro locations in Mexico City. The Lea books can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers. To learn more about Lea and the Girl of the Year™ line, go to americangirl.com, Facebook at facebook.com/americangirl, Twitter at twitter.com/american_girl, Pinterest at pinterest.com/agofficial, and American Girl’s Instagram page at instagram.com/americangirlbrand.
How do you foster creativity in your children?
Bill says
I buy them coloring books and they take art and music
Marcie says
We like to go to museums
Kelly D says
I foster creativity in my kids by giving them new art supplies. We like to sit down and think of craft ideas that we can work on together.
Karen Glatt says
I foster creativity by making fun crafts, trying out different recipes and going to the park, libraries and playing fun educational games
Faith Daniel says
I don’t have any children but I do have a younger sister. I help her foster her creativity by creating stories and acting them out for our family as well as acting out our favorite scenes from movies and shows.
Mami2jcn says
We do arts and crafts.
Dorothy Teel says
creativity for my grandchildren comes from giving them pieces of material and needles and thread, I also like to fool with yarn arts and have taught the grandchildren our favorite right now is nail art, I am not sure they like wrapping the yarn as much as nailing in the nails, but it is fun and they have to think and be creative (of course it is done on days without headaches..lol)
Cheryl B. says
I use computer paper and crayons and markers…and just let them go.
MARY says
I foster creativity in my kids by taking them out and exploring real life things in nature museums wildlife anything to expand their mind. What an amazing doll she looks so adventurous!
Jennifer Marie says
I like to have them play with different toys and let them do what they want with them. My kids come up with new games etc all the time with the same types of toys.
Leigh Anne Borders says
I try to let them create as they wish and to say ow much I like what they do. We also try to expose them to all kinds of arts so that they can have a chance to find out what they like.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I Allow Them To Be Creative Through Art, Reading, Writing, And Play.
Cheri Thompson says
I foster creativity in my girl by exploring nature on our 40 acre tree farm, lettingbher build in her game, and crafting with me.
Lacey Burd says
I allow my daughter to be creative by letting her think outside the box. Sometimes she likes to make up her own rules to games, or not follow the directions for a craft and do her own thing. She loves to write stories, put on puppet shows and make things with random art supplies.
Dawn Monroe says
I expose my grandkids to new things like art, music, nature and foods.
Kate Grantham says
I foster creativity in my children by encouraging them to play in every spare moment. We have tons of art supplies always at the ready for them to color and create whatever is on their minds. Lately they have gotten really creative with stories for their American Girl dolls!
amyc says
My 6 year old daughter is very creative and we spend many days painting, drawing, etc. She loves to create anything.
shelly says
I give my girls opportunities to play with toys that inspire creativity just like American Girl dolls.
MaddiesMom says
I have a huge imagination, myself, so my children have inherited that!! We have fun imagining together, and I feel like American Girl promotes that!
Laura J says
We foster creativity by engaging in play with them and making things out of recycled items! Before we throw something out, we try to think of something we can make with it. So much fun to create!
Elle says
I foster creativity through art projects. I also encourage imagination and creating stories to go with art projects as part of play time.
Amy Z. says
I foster creativity by encouraging them to listen to songs and enjoy music, and through painting and drawing.
Melissa M says
We play with legos a lot.
Dari says
Have all the materials available and ready, and they will get creative on their own.
Barbara Montag says
I always encouraged the kids to try new things.
And I backed that up with not being afraid to do new things.
thank you
Sonya Morris says
I foster creativity with fun art supplies! My kids seem to be very creative, much more so than I am!
Sarah B says
I foster creativity in my children by encouraging them to paint, craft, draw, sing, etc. I also praise their efforts and encourage them to continue trying when they have trouble drawing a particular animal or object, or when they fail at a task. Perseverance pays off!
ken ohl says
She loves to draw and that brings out her creativity for sure
Elena says
we draw and do crafts
Elizabeth says
I always give my nieces art supplies for Christmas and their birthdays. They do projects here when they come over!
Maria Malaveci says
We love art! We are always drawing in the house, and are always going on Pinterest to find a craft! We are always crafting together!
mary says
Crafts!
Birdiebee says
I foster creativity in my grandkids by going to the library to research projects as well as do research on the computer, explore the great outdoors, visit museums, go to the crafting stores to see what type of projects they may want to experience and participate in a lot of community projects.
Rhonda G says
I foster creativity with my grandkids by doing crafts together. They love getting into Nana’s craft supplies and making things for me and their parents!
Sadie B. says
We have toys that encourage open ended play. My kids love to create art from everyday things.
erin dear says
Giving them many opportunities for fun. outdoor play and arts and crafts are a few favorite ways!
Sarah Sobocinski says
My husband is the creative one. He does imaginary play with them a lot.
Abigail says
They always have plenty of craft supplies on hand to draw or paint with and of course Pinterest is a wealth of idea for projects to try together!
Shannon says
My kids LOVE doing any kind of craft…painting, play dough/clay, sewing, felts, drawing, coloring, etc. They also like to explore nature when we go hiking in our state parks.
Nicole C. says
I think dramatic play with dolls is a great way to encourage creativity in children, which is part of why I love the American Girl dolls so much (that, plus their healthy body proportions, especially when compared to a lot of other dolls on the market). I also like to allow my daughter to try out the new things that she’s inspired by in the dolls’s stories. But the most important thing to foster creativity in my opinion is to allow plenty of free unstructured time that she can just do what a she wants to do. She (and all children) need time to creatively think, plan and then follow through, and she amazes me every day with the inventive and amazing thighs she comes up with: )
Kimberly Frazee says
Ive always went out and had them help pull down grapevines and wrap them into wreathes and then go in and decorate them with flowers we previously dried out on tulle stretched tight
DAD&DAUGHTERDUO says
We do not have a TV in the house and we like toys that promote the imagination… american dolls, legos, etc.
Laurie Nykaza says
Take them to places with art and also buy them items to create and express themselves with through art.
Kristin McClain says
We do a lot of imaginative play at our house. I have 5 children and we often like to act as favorite characters and solve crimes or mysteries. Our current favorite is PJ masks due to my 3 year old being completely obsessed. The girls do a lot of doll play also with furniture and accessories we make ourselves. An American girl Lea doll would be a lot of fun to add to play time! Thank you for the chance!
Brittany Gilley says
we go on photography field trips! and nature field trips!
Bobbie Smith says
I foster creativity with my gandkids by doing arts and crafts with them. We also enjoy cooking together, coming up with crazy recipes, and sometimes we do pretty good!
Nicole C. says
I foster creativity in my children by allowing them time to themselves. There is nothing that they need aside from a little unstructured play time and their own amazing minds to come up with some really creative things… I look forward to seeing all the new things they come up with each and every day!
Klydra Pugh says
By giving them ample supplies to explore and create
Thanks for the chance
Sarah Hayes says
i give my daughter chances to e creative. I let her choose games to play and create new ideas. I also let her time for herself
Randi S says
I encourage their imaginations- reading fun magical books, playing pretend, etc… my daughter has a huge imagination at just 2 years old and it’s something we definitely encourage and enjoy together!
Taryn says
we like to do arts and crafts and i-spy and other fun games.
Tammy Horn says
We do alot of open ended projects and games. Never a wrong answer. Lots of craft materials available and they can combine their craft materials with their out door games and toys too.
Victoria Barbour says
We do lots of crafts, and coloring. And I also put them in different sports or rec activities
Katie Bellamy says
Arts & Crafts are big in our house! And we are all lovers of music!
Tabathia B says
We do lots of crafts and she likes going to local arts festivals
Tara O. says
I encourage my daughter to draw, write or color each day. It helps that she LOVES to do all of these!
Lynne says
We supply lots of craft materials to our nieces and nephews – and we also sit down with them and craft together. Sometimes we follow some directions or patterns, and sometimes we just make it up as we go!
Trisha Burgess says
I try to spark it with going on adventures and recreating what we have done! I try not to interfere when my kiddos are playing/drawing/whatever other creative outlets!
amy pugmire says
My kids are very creative and love art. So we make time to do special and new activities a couple times a week. Today my daughter came up with melting crayons on a piece of cardboard because they bleed together and make a cool design.
Alli says
Reading and painting 🙂
Linda Bradshaw says
We like to be creative with the kids by doing all types of crafts, and making all types of recipes. The nieces and the grandkids love to do that every time they are here. We have been making all types of American Doll girl furniture for their room so they can play with their dolls.
Paula Caudill says
Going places that stimulate the imagination, craft shows, museums etc. I also like to make things with my daughter and playing pretend. Thanks for this lovely chance, I appreciate it! 🙂
lana says
Take them to a playmate, little tv watching and a lot of play time outside
Ashley C says
My kids love to color and paint. We have a space set up in the basement that’s just for this so it’s always ready when they want to be creative!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Rachel C. says
I try to take them to places such as zoos, museums, parks and other locations that allow them to not only explore their creativity but also that allow them to develop their own interests and personalities.
Charla G. says
Our house is always full of creativity. We have an art station that is always stocked with a variety of materials and we rotate projects that are set out as in invitation to create.
Angela Saver says
I foster creativity in our kids by encouraging them to do crafts, draw, color, & paint, as well as take them to different classes to discover new things!
Jessica says
I do a lot of arts & crafts with my daughter. We use a lot of blank computer paper so she can draw/paint whatever she is feeling like and not feel obligated to fill in the lines of a coloring book.
Rochel S says
By providing them with all kinds of materials and coloring things for arts n crafts. They also have hardly any screen time!
Heather B says
I encourage my children by providing them with lots of opportunities, not pushing them into things and encouraging them.
Ava says
I’m excited to make stopmotions of her exploring!
Lauren says
I make sure my kids have a lot of art materials.
heather e.g. kaufman says
I encourage them to create whatever they like. It can be crazy & colorful.
allyson tice says
I have a craft table in the playroom! They can draw and create anything with markers..crayons.glue pom-poms and such! We display the work all over the house! we always encourage creativity when making dinner as well! the kiddos get to help make food and prepare it!
Rajee says
We play imaginative toys and some arts
Anita Duvall says
I really like to give the kids lots to work with. Giving them the tools to create are number one. Paints, papers, stickers, activity play, and creative play toys are a plus in my book.
jennifer horn says
I foster creativity by letting her color, play dress up and by doing a lot of crafts.
courtney b says
I foster creativity by getting my kids more creative projects and fun things to do. Fun toys that open up their mind and curiousity.
thanks!
Jen B says
I try to foster creativity by giving my daughter blank pieces of paper instead of coloring books so that she can decide what she wants to draw herself as opposed to following someone else’s design. She also has an art box with paints, markers, and crayons and a big roll of paper so she can do whatever.
robyn says
I do my best to introduce my daughter to different ways of being creative, such as art projects, dancing, music class etc. I try to show her that I do creative things too so that she learns it’s something fun that you can do your whole life.
Terra Heck says
I foster their creativity by giving them a variety of things to do and allowing them to use their imagination. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Ty says
I foster their creativity by buying creative toys for them, toys that allow them to use their imagination. We also do lots of arts and crafts together so I can teach them new techniques and ideas as well as lead by example.
Karla R. says
I do a lot of chalk art outside!
Jenn H says
I show them mine! We do a lot of projects together and we have endless art supplies and open ended toys so that they are constantly challenged and encouraged to think outside the box!
Carol w says
My kids would love to be creative with art supplies. I always have plenty of thing on hand that could be used to create any project they could thing up They always made birthday and other types of cards to give. thanks
Mary Cloud says
I buy a lot of art supplies for my daughter – she loves to draw and to experiment with new colors and markers
aimee p says
I make crafts and let them play with their art supplies. my children love to draw and color.
Maya Blanks says
I have 3 daughters. One loves photography like Lea, art like Saige and dance like Isabelle – she’s my youngest, 12 -. My second oldest daughter is a cheer leader, but she likes to write diaries and some books. My oldest expresses creativity threw her clothes. edgy, but cute at the same time. All of them show creativity their own ways.
Maya Blanks says
By showing them how to do photography, art and dance. All things I love.
Jeanna says
I keep our Arts & Crafts cubbies stocked full of different types of stuff! Their favorite thing to do is make homemade cards for birthday’s and holidays. They love being creative!
Megan Forbes says
I have been trying to limit screen time with my children. And then I’ve been forcing them to play together. They act like their siblings are just an inconvenience and I’m trying to get them to actually play with each other.
Liz covington says
We read to our kids every night and take them outside as much as possible. I try to keep supplies on hand for whenever they feel artistic or like engineering something new!
Kristine Barrett says
We have a bin full of craft supplies that comes down at least once a week, we cook and bake together, we build things together, we have a bin full of instruments and we love singing and dancing! I like those kinds of activities myself so it only feels natural to involve my children in them too!
Kaylee says
Whatever they are interested in we try and support it. You love taking pictures with my phone? lets get you a kids camera. You love to paint? lets get this boy an easel up in here lol
Linda says
We like to go to museums and different learning experiences geared towards kids.
Cassie Hayes says
I foster creativity by allowing my 2 1/2 year old to cook. She absolutely loves it and she has always been a spice fanatic since she was eating baby food.
jenn mc says
I do not give my children art kits or coloring books, we try to do only open ended projects that are their own creations
Cindy McElwee says
To foster creativity in my little sunshine ~ we read books together & she love’s to get in the kitchen & create a masterpiece that’s tasty ♥
Evie B. says
I foster creativity with arts & crafts.
Heidi F says
We spend plenty of time outdoors and exploring new areas.
Heather M says
for my daughter when she was young, and for my nieces and nephews, I like to buy them toys that encourage them to move and make up games (like a play tunnel) or give them lots of tools to create whatever is in their heads (crayons, glue, different types of paper, more!). sometimes they need a little encouragement, but usually they find something great to do on their own!
Sarah Hayes says
not sure if my twitter link entered correctly for today. its https://twitter.com/skhekh/status/689999245840117761
Emily Morelli says
I try to foster creativity in my daughter by giving her what she needs and then stepping back. She comes up with the most creative ideas when I stay out of her way.
Debbie Bray says
We read to our children every night. We also do alot of arts and craft activities.
Nikki B says
I try to do a lot of arts and crafts, reading, outside play, using our imaginations to create some sort of story/game.
Jr FrugalMom says
I foster creativity in your children by letting them create things such as gifts and toys out of things we already have.
Shannon says
We do at least one craft project every Friday. My kids love expressing themselves and it’s good quality time.
susan mongeau says
We foster creativity in our daughters by spending lots of time with them ourdoors.
Pam R says
We give lots of opportunity for free play, encourage crafting/drawing/writing, and watch every little play they produce.