A wooden spoon isn’t always a spoon. A cardboard box isn’t always a box. Sometimes the most ordinary objects become the starting point for extraordinary ideas. This challenge is all about seeing everyday household items in new ways. Gather Your Gear - One or more everyday household items - Paper - Pencil, crayons, or markers - Optional: tape, string, cardboard, recycled materials, or other supplies if you decide to build your idea. Steps 1. Explore your home and choose one or more everyday household items. For an extra challenge, pick one item from different rooms of the house. 2. Look closely at each item and ask, “What else could this be?” Write down or say as many ideas as you can before choosing a favorite. 3. Sketch your favorite new use or invention. Don’t worry about making it look perfect. Focus on showing your idea. 4. If you can, build a simple prototype using the item and any other materials you have available. 5. Test your idea. What worked well? What surprised you? 6. Finish by asking: - What would I keep the same? - What would I change next time? - What new idea did this inspire? Twist Combine two unrelated household items into one brand-new invention. For example, what could a whisk and a flashlight become? Or a laundry basket and a pillow? Variations by Age Ages 3–6 Choose one object together. Ask questions like, “Could this be a hat? A telescope? A dragon tail?” Draw one favorite idea, then use the real object to pretend together. Ages 7–12 Challenge yourself to think of at least ten different uses before choosing one to sketch or build. Add labels to your drawing to explain how your invention works. Ages 13–17 Think like an inventor or product designer. What real problem could your new creation solve? Build a simple prototype if possible, then reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how you would improve Version 2.

While the team and I are busy adding new labs and content for you, I wanted to be sure everyone has had a chance to explore the existing labs. With so many new members, it's easy to get overwhelmed and miss something. Let's first look at the original Play Labs, which have play ideas based on ages and stages plus the energy and mood. Which would you pick and why? #Ages & Stages - The Why Behind the Activities #Calm & Cozy Games (3–5) #Calm & Cozy Games (6–8) #Calm & Cozy Games (9–11) #Calm & Cozy Games (12-14) #Calm & Cozy Games (15 - 17) Once you choose your age range, you'll open up all types of activities.

My kids have set screentime. They know when and for how long they can play in their phones/tablets/watch TV. Screen time was up today.... And they wanted mooooore. (Of course) They didn't want to do anything. I suggested the following; Color, play with magna tiles, paint, finger paint, take the dog for a walk, play Simon says (I got his idea from the classroom here), color on an Amazon cardboard box, Legos, play with a laser pointer with the cats, and vacuum the floor. Every suggestion above was met with a hard NO! -I have two 4-year-old twins. I was lost. No idea. What to do. So I got a pen and broke up the cardboard box. I started writing. No in in the pen. My daughter told me it wasn't working. I looked at her confused... I asked her what I can do if this pen didn't work. She lit up! Dad! I have markers iny room, I'll go get them! I told her to grab a bunch. She came down with a bunch of markers. Then we all colored for the next 45minutes. Sometimes you just need to play. Then they will join in.

I had the pleasure of having brunch with community member and Unplug & Play Summit speaker @Betty Jo Winters. We had a lovely meal and a great conversation. Have you meet a Skooler in real life?

Hello! New here but got benefit already!! I have little ones, and they were "sooooo boooored" after screen time so I busted out this Skool and looked around. We found wiggle games and I picked the colors! We moved to Puerto Vallarta Mexico recently and still teaching the kids Spanish. So what we did is I would call out a color in Spanish, and all 3 kids had to run around the house and find something with that color. The wife got involved too! The dog was barking and going crazy because of all the running! Someone even got the cat for Gris (grey)! Thanks wiggle games!