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Ten to start with

A one-page checklist of ten activities from the book — the easiest ones to say yes to. Print it or save it as a PDF, stick it on the fridge, work down it.

The ten

  1. Catch the Dollar

    Tricks · page 28

    You need: a dollar bill, not too wrinkled

  2. Quickie Basketball

    Make-It-Yourself Games · page 44

    You need: a wire coat hanger; aluminum foil; newspaper

  3. Handy Paper Cup

    Paper Folding · page 46

    You need: paper (a 9-inch square; wax paper is best); scissors

  4. Button Buzzer

    Making Things · page 68

    You need: a great big button with four holes; light cord, about 4 feet

  5. Water Chimes

    Making Things · page 69

    You need: 8 different clear glasses; water; a fork

  6. Pig Latin

    Head Games · page 74

    You need: nothing

  7. Mind Reading

    Number Games · page 82

    You need: paper; a pencil

  8. How Many Stops?

    Number Games · page 86

    You need: nothing

  9. Shadow Portraits

    Artsy Things · page 135

    You need: white paper; black paper; scissors; tape

  10. Cup Catcher

    Silly Stuff · page 149

    You need: a Styrofoam cup; string; aluminum foil

Want a PDF? In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” as the printer.

A checklist pinned to a fridge, next to crayons and a paper plane
from author

Which ten?

The checklist is live on this page, with ten we picked from the book: a kid can run each one, and they need everyday things. Swap any you like.