Creativity is often seen as something that occurs primarily during the ideation phase of design processes. However, this article argues that there is significant potential in enhancing creativity in the early stages and that this can contribute to youth learning and tackling complex challenges. Using a Danish educational setting as a starting point, the article illustrates how using performative objects in teaching situations fosters creativity in the early stages of a design process. The article concludes that creativity is not merely an individual skill but a social practice and process, where using performative objects creates a conducive context for creativity.