6 Ideas to Try Right Now
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#1·10 min
Simon Says
🛒Materials: None
- 1One person is Simon.
- 2Simon gives instructions: 'Simon says jump!'
- 3Only follow if it starts with 'Simon says' — catch everyone out!
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#2·10–15 min
Shadow Puppets
🛒Materials: A lamp (or phone torch)
- 1Darken the room and point a lamp at the wall.
- 2Use your hands to make animal shadows.
- 3Tell a story with shadow characters.
🤖
#3·20–30 min
Code a Paper Robot
🛒Materials: Paper, pencil
- 1Write a list of 'robot commands': Move Forward, Turn Right, Pick Up, etc.
- 2Draw a simple maze on paper.
- 3Write the exact sequence of commands needed to get the robot through the maze.
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This is computational thinking — the same skill behind real coding.
🎭
#4·30–45 min
Shadow Puppet Theater
🛒Materials: Cereal box, tissue paper, flashlight, skewers
- 1Cut a large window in a cereal box and tape tissue paper over it.
- 2Cut puppet shapes from cardboard and tape them to skewers.
- 3Shine a flashlight behind the box to put on a show.
♟️
#5·25–30 min
Strategy Board Game: DIY Checkers
🛒Materials: Paper, pencil, 12 coins of 2 types (or bottle caps)
- 1Draw an 8x8 grid on paper and shade alternate squares.
- 2Each player gets 12 pieces arranged on their 3 rows.
- 3Play standard checkers rules: diagonal moves, jump to capture.
🧫
#6·20 min
Kitchen Chemistry: Slime
🛒Materials: PVA glue, baking soda, contact lens solution
- 1Pour a full bottle of PVA glue into a bowl.
- 2Mix in 1 tsp baking soda.
- 3Add contact lens solution 1 tbsp at a time, kneading until it comes together.
