Adults Are More Creative Than Preschoolers, Study Finds 2026

Adults are actually more creative than preschoolers, according to a surprising new study that challenges the common belief that children are naturally more imaginative. The research, published in the journal PLOS One, found that while adults may hesitate when asked to paint or draw, their creative output is judged as more original and useful than that of young children.

The study, led by Dr. Mathias Benedek at the University of Graz in Austria, suggests that adults' lack of confidence, not lack of ability, is what makes them shy away from creative tasks. "Children are so intrinsically motivated and absorbed in play that we often mistake their engagement with greater creative ability," Benedek said.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers asked 92 preschool children aged four to seven and 70 adults mostly in their 20s to complete three creative tasks. The first was to think of as many creative uses for a tin as possible in three minutes. The second was to draw anything they liked with no time limit, and the third was to draw an imaginary animal within eight minutes.

Judges then rated the results on originality, usefulness, and overall creativity. Participants also rated their own enjoyment, motivation, confidence, and anxiety during each task. The adults' work was consistently rated as more original, useful, and creative than the children's, especially on the drawing tasks.

Why Adults Doubt Their Creativity

Despite producing more creative output, adults reported feeling less confident and more anxious about the tasks. They also enjoyed the tasks less and felt less motivated than the children. This gap between ability and self-perception is key to understanding why many adults believe they are not creative.

According to the researchers, children's intense engagement with play can be misleading. Kids may appear more creative because they are fully absorbed and uninhibited, but that doesn't mean their ideas are more original or useful. Adults, with their greater knowledge and experience, can generate ideas that are both novel and practical.

What This Means for Creativity in Everyday Life

The findings have implications for how we approach creativity at work, at school, and in daily life. Many adults avoid creative tasks because they fear judgment or failure, but this study shows they are capable of outperforming even young children when they do engage.

Encouraging adults to embrace creative activities without anxiety could unlock significant potential. Simple steps like setting aside time for playful exploration, reducing pressure to be perfect, and reframing creative tasks as enjoyable challenges can help adults tap into their creative abilities. The background to this story is set out in DIY Halloween Costumes: Creative Ideas for Adults and Kids. A related thread runs through Business: latest articles.

• Adults produced more original and useful creative work than preschoolers.
• Adults felt less confident, motivated, and enjoyed tasks less than children.
• Children's playfulness is often mistaken for superior creativity.
• Boosting adult creative confidence could lead to greater innovation.
• Simple mindset shifts can help adults overcome creative anxiety.

Comparing Creative Output: Adults vs. Children

What to Watch Next

This study opens up new questions about how creativity develops across the lifespan. Future research could explore whether creative confidence can be trained in adults, and how different environments—such as workplaces or schools—affect creative expression. Understanding these dynamics could help design better programs to foster innovation at all ages. Earlier coverage in UK Consumer Confidence Plummets Fastest Since Covid on Cost of Living shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in AI Threatens Office Jobs: Private Equity Pivots to Plumbers and Electricians.

For now, the takeaway is clear: don't underestimate your own creative potential. The next time you hesitate to pick up a paintbrush or brainstorm a new idea, remember that your adult brain is well-equipped to generate original and useful concepts—you just need to give yourself permission to try. Anyone following the wider picture can start with WordPress CEO Matt Mullenweg Faces Boardroom Rebellion at Automattic. The same theme surfaces in School Suspensions Don't Work: Science Proposes a Better Approach, which takes a different angle.