Fairy tales do more than entertain. Einstein believed they help children develop creative imagination. Learn how stories and imaginative play build thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that last a lifetime
Most parents worry about helping their children succeed in school and life.
But what if there’s something even more important than intelligence when it comes to helping children thrive?
Albert Einstein certainly thought there was…
He hinted at it once when a mother, who happened to be a friend of the genius, asked for some parenting advice. She wondered what he would recommend she read to her son if she wanted him to grow up intelligent. No doubt she was expecting a carefully chosen list of educational books, so his answer must have shocked her…
Einstein reportedly replied:
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
At first glance, it’s a surprising answer.
What do fairy tales have to do with intelligence?
For Einstein, the answer lay in something many of us overlook: creative imagination.
In This Article
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Why Creative Imagination Matters for Children
When we think about intelligence, we often think about facts, knowledge, and academic achievement.
But intelligence isn’t just about knowing the answer. It’s also about being able to imagine possibilities, solve problems, and think creatively when the answer isn’t immediately obvious.
This is where imagination comes in.
Imagination allows children to explore ideas beyond their everyday experiences. It helps them wonder “what if?”, imagine different outcomes, and think about the world from new perspectives.
It springs from their inner world, shaped by experiences, emotions, beliefs, memories and the unique way they make sense of the world around them.
And a strong creative imagination supports many of the wider emotional skills children gradually develop throughout childhood including confidence, resilience, empathy, and problem-solving.
It’s as though intelligence needs imagination to reach its fullest potential.
Perhaps this is what Einstein recognised. Knowledge helps us understand the world as it is. Imagination helps us consider what else might be possible.
So why did he believe fairy tales were so important…
How Fairy Tales Help Develop Creative Imagination
All kinds of books benefit children. Reading builds language, expands knowledge, and introduces new ideas.
But fairy tales offer something a little unique.
That’s because unlike many everyday stories, fairy tales are filled with magical transformations, supernatural happenings, and impossible adventures. (Who doesn’t love a talking donkey or a wizard’s spell?) Theses enchanted elements, invite children into worlds where the ordinary rules no longer apply.
And that’s exactly why Einstein valued them.
By inviting children to imagine the impossible, fairy tales help nurture creative imagination in several important ways…
1 Fairy Tales Encourage Children to Think Beyond Reality
Fairy tales gently stretch children’s imaginations by inviting them to consider things that don’t exist in everyday life.
What if carpets could fly? What if a tiny bean grew into a giant beanstalk? What if a pumpkin could become a carriage?
Although children know that dragons and magic spells aren’t real, imagining the impossible helps them explore possibilities beyond what they already know.
2 Fairy Tales Develop Flexible and Creative Thinking
Because fairy tales aren’t limited by the rules of the real world, children learn there isn’t always just one way to think about a problem.
As they follow magical adventures and unexpected twists, they begin to practise a kind of flexible, creative thinking that looks beyond the obvious. Psychologists sometimes describe this as divergent thinking — the ability to generate new ideas and imagine multiple possibilities rather than searching for a single “right” answer.
These are the same creative thinking skills children draw upon when inventing, designing, creating, and solving problems throughout life.
3 Fairy Tales Remind Children That New Possibilities Exist
Perhaps most importantly, fairy tales encourage children to imagine that things can change.
The lazy kid becomes the hero. Paupers marry princes. Seemingly impossible problems are overcome. Ordinary lives are transformed.
These stories don’t simply entertain children. They help nurture a mindset that is open to possibility.
After all, every invention, scientific discovery, work of art, or creative breakthrough begins with someone brave enough to ask, “What if?”
What if people could fly? What if deadly infections could be treated? What if you could chase a beam of light?
Before every great innovation came the courage to imagine a possibility that didn’t yet exist.
The Link Between Creative Imagination and Play
Of course, children don’t only exercise their imagination through stories.
They practice it every day through play.
Kids are born with a rich, creative imagination, that is closely tied to their play and curiosity. They have an amazing ability to think beyond the confines of reality (mostly because they haven’t yet learned how the world works).
So, when a cardboard box becomes a pirate ship, a stick becomes a magic wand, or a child transforms into a dragon, superhero, shopkeeper, or explorer, they are using the same creative imagination that Einstein valued so highly.
To adults, it can sometimes look like “just playing.”
But beneath the surface, children are experimenting with ideas, exploring possibilities, solving problems, and creating entirely new worlds.
Play gives children the freedom to ask, “what if?”
What if I was a vet?
What if dragons lived in the garden?
What if things could be different?
These questions may seem simple, but they are the building blocks of creativity, innovation, and flexible thinking.
Play also gives children a safe space to explore experiences, emotions, and challenges. Through imaginative play, children can try out different roles, experiment with solutions, and make sense of the world around them.
This is one reason play therapists place such importance on children’s play. It’s not simply entertainment. Play is one of the main ways children express and process complex feelings.
Often, the stories children act out in their play can often give us fascinating insights into what’s happening in their inner world. If you’ve ever wondered what these playful moments might be telling you, you can read more in my post on Understanding Your child’s Play.
The good news for parents is that nurturing imagination doesn’t require expensive toys, educational programmes, or carefully planned activities.
If you’re looking for simple ways to encourage creativity at home, this article from National Geographic Kids has some lovely ideas.
Often, the richest imaginative play grows from the simplest things: stories, dressing-up clothes, art materials, loose parts, nature, and plenty of unstructured time to play.
Sometimes all children really need is the freedom to imagine.
Closing thoughts
So perhaps Einstein wasn’t really giving parenting advice about fairy tales at all.
Perhaps he was reminding us that children need more than facts and information.
They need stories. Wonder. Imagination. Opportunities to dream, explore possibilities, and think beyond what they already know.
In a world that often focuses on achievement, learning, and measurable outcomes, it can be easy to overlook the value of imagination.
Yet imagination sits at the heart of creativity, problem-solving, innovation, and even hope itself.
So the next time your child asks you to read a fairy tale, build a cardboard castle, or join them on an imaginary adventure, remember:
They may be doing far more than simply playing.
They may be building skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Keep The Imagination Going
Looking for a fun way to encourage creative thinking? These printable creative imagination drawing prompts invite children to turn simple doodles into their own unique creations—helping them practice the very kind of imaginative thinking Einstein valued.
Find the Creative Imagination Pack here
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You might also find these helpful…
Understanding Your Child:
Why Kids Can’t Tell You What They’re Feeling — And How They Show You Instead
What Your Child’s Behavior is Really Trying To Tell You
What Your Child’s Play Might Be Trying To Tell You
Support Emotional Skills & Regulation:
Emotional Skills for Children: Building Confidence, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Regulation in Children: Why It Matters and How to Help
Try These Play-Based Activities:
21 Powerful Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use at home
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