13 Creative Ways To Inspire Curiosity In Your Kids (That Actually Work)

What if your kid stopped saying, “I’m bored,” and started asking, “Can I try this?” or, “How does that work?” Sounds like a dream, right?

Every parent wants their kid to light up with questions and dive into discovery. But between screen time battles, rushed schedules, and the never-ending snack requests, it’s easy to wonder if their natural curiosity is slipping away. (And let’s be honest, it’s easier to hand them the tablet than to answer the 47th question about volcanoes.)

But  the good news is that curiosity isn’t gone, it just needs a little spark.

And science backs that up: studies show curiosity triggers dopamine in the brain, boosting memory, learning, and long-term motivation. In other words? The more curious your kid is, the more their brain lights up. And the best part is that curiosity is a skill you can grow, not a personality trait you either have or don’t.

At Kong Academy, we don’t just inspire curiosity. We build entire obstacle courses around it, complete with pirate treasure hunts, ninja missions, and brain-boosting games where the floor is lava and the only way out is to ask better questions. Our after school and summer camp programs use movement and imagination to help kids solve problems, take healthy risks, and build social-emotional skills. Curiosity is the engine that drives it all.

So let’s talk about how to get that engine going at home, outside, and yes, even during dinner.

13 Creative Ways To Inspire Curiosity In Your Kids

1. Wonder Out Loud

It starts with you. Instead of answering everything, start asking with them. “I wonder why the moon looks so big tonight…” or “Why do you think birds fly in a V?” Your kid doesn’t need a walking encyclopedia. They need a co-explorer.

2. Create Mystery Missions

At Kong, we use storytelling to transform ordinary moments into epic adventures. You can do the same. Ask your child to solve a mystery: “The kitchen monster has been stealing spoons. Can you find the clues and track it down before dinner?”

3. Swap Screen Time for YouTube That Moves

If you’re already handing over the screen, make it count. Kong Academy’s YouTube channel is packed with parkour adventures, brain games, and interactive challenges that get kids asking questions, solving problems, and, yep, getting off the couch. Start with the “Ninja Training” or “Pokeman” videos.

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of “Did you have fun?” try “What was the weirdest thing you noticed today?” or “If you could ask your teacher anything, what would it be?” Questions like these give kids a chance to explore their own thinking.

5. Show Them the World, One Backyard at a Time

You don’t need a plane ticket to spark curiosity. Dig in the dirt together. Hunt for bugs. Watch a spider build a web. Ask, “What do you think it’s doing?” Nature is the ultimate curiosity playground.

6. Celebrate Failure (Yes, Really)

Kids get more curious when failure doesn’t feel scary. That’s why our games at Kong are designed to be low-stakes and high-reward. Didn’t solve the puzzle? Great, try again with a new strategy. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome.

7. Turn Chores Into Challenges

Folding laundry? Time for “Towel Origami Showdown.” Cleaning the floor? The mop is now a magical creature that only listens to kids who can speak in riddles. This isn’t about tricking them, it’s about re-framing boring into curious.

8. Let Them Lead

If your kid suddenly becomes obsessed with dinosaurs, sharks, or slime, let them teach you. Ask questions, build on their passion, and create mini-projects around it. Passion fuels curiosity, and curiosity builds confidence.

9. Use Characters They Love

We’ve seen kids who won’t budge during circle time leap into action the moment they hear, “Your mission, Agent Donut, should you choose to accept it…” Whether it’s a ninja, spy, dragon, or sea creature, play into the character and watch them engage.

10. Offer Challenges, Not Lectures

“Let’s see if we can build a bridge out of these couch cushions without touching the floor.” “How many jumping jacks does it take to guess my secret number?” Curiosity grows when the goal is active, not passive.

11. Model Curiosity Yourself

Be the kind of person who gets excited about weird clouds or asks questions at the museum. When you show that you don’t have all the answers, kids learn that asking is just as important as knowing.

12. Try a “No-Wrong-Answers” Debrief

After a game or a challenge, ask open-ended reflection questions like, “What surprised you the most?” or “What do you think you’d try differently next time?” These conversations teach kids to reflect on their learning process, a powerful metacognitive tool that strengthens curiosity.

13. Introduce a Mystery Box

Fill a box with random materials: string, pipe cleaners, bottle caps, feathers. Ask your child to build something, anything. What’s the invention? How does it work? What problem does it solve? The less structure, the better. Let them tinker, fail, imagine, and laugh their way through it.

So What Happens When You Nurture Curiosity?

You start to see your child solve problems without prompting. You hear questions that are deeper, more thoughtful. You notice them becoming more confident, more open, and way more willing to try (and try again).

And maybe, just maybe, they inspire your curiosity too.

At Kong Academy, we build our entire program around this magic. We believe kids are capable, strong, and wildly creative. Our after school programs and summer camps are built for movement, social learning, and growth mindset. And our YouTube channel? It’s your secret weapon for rainy days and restless afternoons.

Because curiosity isn’t something you have or don’t have. It’s something you practice. And like every good practice, it gets better, and more fun, the more you do it.

Let’s help your kids practice it every single day.

Want more ideas?

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, check out our after school and summer camp programs, and join the families who know: when kids move, ask questions, and play with purpose, everything is possible.