Do Video Games Stimulate Children’s Creativity?

Is creativity lost to screens — or sparked by them?

If you’re the parent of a child aged 6 to 12, chances are you’ve had at least one moment of guilt, worry, or frustration around video games. Maybe your child loves building in Minecraft or spends hours immersed in a fantasy quest, controller in hand. And maybe you’ve wondered — is any of this actually good for them, or is it just more screen time melting their brain?

One question that comes up often: Can video games actually encourage creativity? It's a fair, complicated question — especially when your child struggles with school, battles through homework, or seems drained after a long day in the classroom. So let’s take a thoughtful look at whether that time spent gaming could be lighting a creative spark... or dimming it.

What do we mean by creativity anyway?

We often picture creativity as painting or playing an instrument. But in children, creativity is so much broader: it's in the stories they make up during pretend play, the odd questions they ask at the dinner table, the way they piece together ideas that don’t seem to belong together. Creativity is about thinking in flexible, original, and expressive ways — and it plays a quiet but vital role in learning, problem-solving, and emotional resilience.

The link between creativity and academic success is subtle but real. In fact, some educational experts believe creativity in thinking may be more important than rote memorization or even attention span when it comes to long-term learning. So if a tool like video games can tap into that, it’s worth a closer look.

Creative play in virtual worlds

Many of today’s most popular video games offer far more than mindless entertainment. In games like Minecraft, Roblox, or even Super Mario Maker, children aren’t just playing — they’re building, designing, problem-solving, and storytelling. They’re learning systems thinking, exploring consequences, and engaging their imaginations in immersive ways.

For example, in Minecraft, a child might design a solar-powered city, adapt to changing environments, or role-play as a character they created. In the process, they’re experimenting with physics, architecture, and narrative design — often without realizing it. That kind of play is fundamentally creative.

Of course, the extent to which creativity is activated depends on how the child is engaging. Passive consumption of repetitive, reward-based games may have different outcomes than open-ended, sandbox-style games that invite experimentation.

What the research says (and doesn’t say)

There’s no definitive answer in the research — yet. Some studies suggest that certain types of video games can enhance working memory, flexible thinking, and imaginative play — all cognitive processes tied to creativity. Other studies are inconclusive, or suggest that the effects greatly depend on the type of game and the child’s individual temperament.

What is clear is this: not all screen time is equal. Just as we distinguish between junk food and a home-cooked meal, it’s worth thinking about the nutritional value of gameplay. Is your child actively building? Collaborating? Exploring? Solving problems in new ways? These are signs that creative thinking may be at play.

Supporting creativity beyond games

Whether or not video games foster creativity on their own, one of the most powerful things you can do is help your child translate that energy into other areas. For example, after a session on Roblox, you might say:

• “That character you created was so interesting. What would happen if they had to survive on a deserted island?”
• “Want to draw the level you just built?”
• “Let’s tell a story about what happens next in your game world.”

Encouraging your child to take those game-born ideas and turn them into drawings, stories, or voice recordings helps them exercise their imagination in richer ways. If they're not naturally drawn to reading or writing, platforms like iOS or Android apps like LISN Kids — which offer original audio stories designed to inspire kids aged 3 to 12 — can bridge that gap. With engaging tales that spark curiosity and open a world of ideas, it’s a screen-free option that invites storytelling, listening skills, and imagination.

What you can watch for (and support)

Rather than counting hours or banning games altogether, it can help to focus on how your child is engaging with their gameplay. Keep an eye out for these signs of creativity in their play:

• Inventing their own characters, storylines, or rules within a game
• Problem-solving in multiple ways (not just repeating until winning)
• Creating outside the screen — drawing scenes from the game, building real-life models, or writing stories inspired by it
• Collaborating or sharing ideas with other players

Balance remains important. If your child’s screen time causes stress, impacts sleep, or interferes with family connection, stepping back makes sense. But learning and concentration can also benefit when creative play is part of the mix. Video games aren’t inherently good or bad — they’re tools. What matters is how they’re used, and what opportunities follow.

Bottom line: Creativity doesn’t have to stop when the console turns on

So yes, video games can stimulate your child’s creativity — especially if they have space, support, and freedom to explore them deeply and thoughtfully. The key is to stay curious. Ask what excites them in their favorite game. Listen to their ideas, even — and especially — the strange or nonsensical ones. Help them bring those ideas out of the screen and into the real world.

And remember, your exhausted, loving presence means more than any game or gadget ever could. Even in a digital world, creativity flourishes most where kids feel seen, safe, and supported.