Image: iStock
Thomas Alva Edison said, “The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child.” Childhood is the peak of imagination. If your child is a master of DIY projects or is just learning to simplify complex tools, it reflects their interest in innovation and creativity. Some kids also turn their interests into successful businesses.
If you want your little engineer to bring their big ideas to life, here is an interesting collection of invention ideas for kids. These ideas would make your child think out of the box and help them with school projects.
Did you know?10 Invention Ideas for Kids
Here are some fun invention ideas for kids to unleash their creative skills.
1. Fruit-LED lights
Did you know fruits can be used as a conductor to generate power and light? Try this fun science experiment to learn how fruits can be a source of power.
What you need:
- Lemons
- Dimes or pennies
- Copper wire
- Paper clips
- LED light bulbs
How to do:
- Squeeze the lemons gently to release their juices but without breaking the skin.
- Cut two slices at both the ends of a lemon and add a dime/penny at one slice and a paper clip on the other.
- Now, connect these lemon slices using copper wires in such a way that one end is attached to the dime and another to the paper clip.
- Connect the last wire to the LED light bulb from both negative and positive ends.
2. Egg drop holder
Do you get upset when an egg breaks accidentally? Here is an easy invention that can help you get rid of that mess.
What you need:
- Eggs
- Eggs carton
- Cardboard
- Bubble wrap
- Cotton
How to do:
- Cut out one egg’s portion from the carton.
- Place the egg inside the carton and wrap it using a bubble wrap until you get an inch-thick layer.
- Make a container cut out of cardboard and place the wrapped egg in it.
- Fill the space inside the container with tissue papers, cotton balls, and bubble wrap.
- Close the container and fix it with masking tape.
- Now practice dropping this container from various heights. Your egg will stay intact.
3. Duct-tape purse
Duct tapes can be used to make funky wallets, tote bagsiX Large bags with parallel handles that extend from the bag's interior , purses, makeup kits? Let’s see how!
What you need:
- Duct tape
- A pair of scissors
- Ruler
- Adhesive gum
How to do:
- Cut four strips of 9” long duct tape and stick them to each other in a parallel manner.
- Similarly, form another set and stick both sheets together.
- Trim the edges to make them straight.
- Fold the strips vertically and stick them together on the edges with transparent tape, leaving one side open.
Quick fact4. Smartphone projector
In this simple activity, your child can learn the basics of physics by turning an old shoebox into a projector. Sounds fun?
What you need:
- Shoebox
- Magnifying glass
- Tape
- A pair of scissors
- Black sheet of paper
- Smartphone
How to do:
- Take the shoebox, remove the top cover, and cut out a hole at one end of the box.
- Fix the magnifying glass in the hole you just cut.
- Darken the interior of the box using black paper.
- Build a phone stand behind the magnifying glass and fix the smartphone there.
- Now cover the lid and start the show.
5. Kaleidoscope
The invention of a kaleidoscope is sure to get your little scientist excited.
What you need:
- Paper towel rolls
- A pair of scissors
- Tape
- Mirrored sheets
- Straw
- White cardstock
How to do:
- Color the paper towel rolls as you like and let them dry.
- Cut the mirrored sheets into three equal strips.
- Place the mirrored strips one after the other, leaving a thin line gap in between them, and tape them over the gap.
- Fold it into a triangular prismiXA crystal structure with parallel sides on one axis and join the top edges.
- Fit this prism into the paper roll
- Now cut out a circle from white cardstock and decorate it.
- Make a hole at the center of the circle and fix it to the kaleidoscopeiXOptical device comprised of mirrors that reflect images of colored glass fragments in a symmetrical geometric design with a straw.
6. Christmas ornaments
Who doesn’t enjoy decorating the Christmas tree? This activity uses Popsicle sticks to make decorative ornaments for your Christmas celebrations.
What you need:
- Popsicle sticks
- Glue
- A pair of scissors
- Tassels
- Jingle bells
- Glitter
How to do:
- Paint the popsicle sticks using your favorite color.
- Make a 3D craft with those sticks. You can make a mini house, an x-mas tree, or just hang them as it is. Give a final touch of glitter and tassels to give them a jazzy look.
- Tie a thread to these ornaments and hang them on the Christmas tree.
7. Balloon powered car
Most children enjoy playing with toy cars. Let’s give it a fun twist by adding an air-filled balloon and putting kinetic energyiXThe energy that an object has as a result of its motion to the test.
What you need:
- Cardboard
- Wooden skewers
- Four plastic bottle caps
- Masking tape
- A few straws
- Deflated balloon
How to do:
- Take rectangular cardboard.
- Cut two straws and paste them under the cardboard to form the axles.
- Place two wooden skewers in the straw, attach the bottle caps to the ends, and form the wheels.
- Attach the open end of the balloon to a bendy straw, tighten it, and then fix the straw to your DIY car.
- Now blow the balloon from the other end of the straw.
- Close the open end, set the car on the ground, and release the air.
- Your balloon-powered car is all set to go.
8. Stethoscope
If your child enjoys playing the role of a doctor and the stethoscopeiXMedical device used to listen to the sound generated within the body, most notably in the heart or lungs is their favorite instrument, here’s a fun invention idea to try.
What you need:
- Funnel
- Balloon
- Duct tape
- A transparent tube
- A pair of scissors
How to do:
- Connect the smaller end of the funnel with one end of the tube and tighten it with duct tape.
- Stretch out the balloon, spread it over the funnel’s open end, and fix it with duct tape.
- Now, place the funnel’s open end on the heart and listen to the heartbeat from the other end of the tube.
Point to consider9. Ocean in a bottle
Let your child’s imagination run wild with this idea. In this fun learning activity, they get to explore the ocean and its creatures.
What you need:
- Plastic bottle
- Water
- Funnel
- Blue-colored paint
- Edible oil
- Glitter
- Toy fish or other water animals
- Seashells
How to do:
- Fill a clean plastic bottle with water up to half.
- Add a few drops of blue color and mix well (do not add excess color as it would darken the water).
- Add edible oil to the remaining space in the bottle.
- Add glitter, toy creatures, and seashells.
- Fasten the bottle’s cap to secure it tightly.
10. Water xylophone
A water xylophoneiXA musical instrument made by striking a series of varied-length wooden bars is a perfect invention for children to understand the science of sound. When the glass bottles are hit, their vibrations produce a sound. And, with the varying levels of water, the beats change too.
What you need:
- Glass bottles
- Food color
- Metal spoon
- Water
How to do:
- Fill all the bottles with water in varying quantities.
- Now, add separate food colors to each of the bottles.
- Tap the bottle with a metal spoon to check for sound and arrange them in a line from the lowest sound to the highest.
- If any of them sounds similar, then change the water level.
- Your water xylophone is ready to play a song.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any safety tips I should remember when inventing with my child?
It is important to supervise your child when handling tools, place tools and equipment properly, use age-appropriate safety equipment, such as coveralls, helmets, or goggles, and prepare your child with knowledge on safety measures and potential accidents that can occur while inventing. Additionally, it is crucial to choose age-appropriate ideas for your child to engage in and avoid being too ambitious to prevent accidents.
2. What tips can I use to help my child stay focused on their invention idea?
To help your child stay focused on their invention idea, you can establish clear goals and plans, create a structured timeline, offer reinforcements or breaks to encourage their contributions, and provide assistance when needed.
Science experiments and inventions are the best fodder to a child’s ever-curious and imaginative brain. Indulging in science experiments encourages children to ask questions, develop logic, and help improve their critical thinking and observation skills. There are many science experiments and inventions kits available in the market aimed at improving scientific temper in children. So pick one kit and plan these invention ideas for kids as weekend fun programs involving your entire family. Ensure parental presence when young kids try these inventions to avoid any mishaps.
Infographic: Invention Ideas For Kids
Children have inquisitive and brilliant minds that can do wonders when put to work in the right direction. So, why not let them unleash their imaginary skills by engaging them in making simple inventions at home? Explore the infographic that lists simple yet excellent invention ideas for your little scientists and budding inventors. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Key Pointers
- Stir up children’s creativity by helping them make Fruit-LED lights using lemons, copper wire, and a few other things.
- Encourage them to make a handy egg drop holder or a funky duct-tape purse.
- Explore more invention ideas, such as Christmas ornaments and stethoscopes as you scroll down.
References:
- Inventions by Kids
https://theworks.org/inventions-by-kids/
