Would you ever guess that ear muffs, the trampoline or even popsicles are inventions made by children? It may surprise you to hear it but it is true. It doesn’t matter that children have not reached a high level of education. What they lack in knowledge they make up for in creativity and ingenuity. Their wild imagination makes them devise things that adults may not have ever thought of and their excitement helps them not to be discouraged by limitations.
January 17th is the anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. At the age of 12 years old, he invented the first swim flippers and he has been regarded as an example for kids who want to think outside the box and be innovative. For this reason, his birthdate was chosen as a day to remember all these kid inventors and encourage kids around the world to go beyond their limits and imagine the unimaginable.
Activities
- Look up Kid Inventions on the Internet and write a paragraph about your favourite one.
- Watch this kid inventors video and answer the following questions:
- Why do kids usually invent something?
- What have these kids invented?
- Which invention impressed you the most?
- What do these kid inventors advise other kids?
- Have you ever thought of something you would like to invent that would make life easier?
- Make a poster to present your invention! (It could be something real or something funny ;))
Note for teachers: All the above can be done either as speaking or writing activities.
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