So this invention idea is one that teaches kids about the environment by getting them to figure out ways to protect it.

Here are two approaches to get the kids started in the invention process:

Sustainable Energy

Sustainable energy is a very hot topic at the moment. There’s ample room for invention, and in fact inventive methods of sustainable energy are critical. Kids first need to understand that many of our current methods of harnessing electricity are in fact depleting the sources of that energy, such as our use and depletion of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the burning of substances like fossil fuels is very harmful to our environment. So what we need to try and figure out is how to harness electricity in ways that firstly do not deplete the sources of that energy, and secondly do not harm our environment.

To help kids get started on inventing new methods of sustainable energy, explain potential sources of energy: wind power, solar power,  or water power (hydro power). Then get them to think of ways to harness the energy inherent in those sources.

Energy efficiency

Another approach to inventing a greener future is for kids to think up ideas on how to be more energy efficient. How can they reduce their use of electricity at home? Or at school? How can they use less energy resources in the activities they perform? The scope here is enormous. Keep the kids’ immediate environment in mind here: this will keep them more focused on practical ideas that they can implement.

How could they go into the community, and help shopping centers, restaurants, shops, communities and clubs become more energy efficient?

So with the two approaches above, kids can get really creative in coming up with solutions. What is great is that if the solutions are practical, the kids can begin implementing them immediately. Imagine if every kid began to think in this way, they would surely be securing their own future.

It’s time for us to change our way of thinking about this subject. Let’s not wait for something to happen, but make it happen. Even better, let’s get the people who we’re doing this for, our kids, to help us make change. So the idea behind today’s kids invention idea is this: get kids to come up with novel inventions to improve their school. And then find ways to implement these inventions in their school.

Now the key here is simplicity and practicality. The ideas that the kids are going to come up with must be ones that they can themselves implement (maybe with a little help from the elders).

So get the kids to start brainstorming inventions that can improve their school. Perhaps it’s very down to earth stuff, like doors that squeak whenever someone opens the classroom. Maybe it’s more important stuff, like a system to get the litter off the playground. Whatever the size of the idea, it could help improve the school in some way.

Here’s some areas to think about as a starting point for the invention ideas:

The physical school building

We’re talking here about the building itself, and the maintenance and improvement thereof. Ideas here can relate to fixing things, painting walls, making the building look better in some way, etc. There are many, many ideas waiting here to be discovered.

The curriculum

I’m sure the kids will have a field day on this one. There’s certainly dozens aspects of the curriculum that can be improved, within the guidelines of the subject, the school or the local education authority. Maybe there’s a better way to teach how to solve a math problem, or a more fun way to learn Shakespeare. Or a better technique to memorize dates or facts. What’s great about thinking about invention ideas here is that the kids will be learning something for themselves in the process.

Behavior or discipline

This very much depends on the particular school, but there’s a lot of simple ideas here that can come forth from the kids themselves. And if they have their own ideas about improving behavior, they’re more likely to stick to them.

Recreational activities and sports

This should also be a very fun area for kids to think about. Recreational activities and sports give more meaning and wholeness to school activities. New ideas for recreation, outings, or sports will always be appreciated.

Food and health

With kids living on a lot of junk food, there’s ample opportunity here for change.

So the above ideas should be a starting point for the kids to begin their inventive journeys. The next step is actually implementing the ideas. It’s best for the kids to generate quite a few ideas, and the to select some of the best ones for implementation. Sometimes one kid’s invention may require a group effort, or require the abilities of someone else, or even fundraising. So that’s another opportunity to get really creative and resourceful.

Good luck!

Now what is a box exactly? It’s just a space, an open space shaped with panels that can be used for virtually any purpose. And that’s the key to this kids invention idea. The idea is to get kids to invent new and original ways to make use of a box. It’s simple and easy, and simplicity is always a good thing.

So start off by holding up a cardboard box, and asking the kids what this can be used for. They’ll generally give you conventional answers (to store books, to move houses, etc).

Now ask them to think of news ways to use a box. Tell them that you want to hear unconventional and new ways to use a box. Make sure that they know that no-one will criticize their answers. People are free to laugh at the answers, but no-one is allowed to say anything bad about them. In this you are providing the kids with the confidence to be wacky, and to use their minds in original ways.

If you get really unusual answers, please post them as comments below. I’d love to read them.

The purpose of this exercise is actually to get the kids to think laterally. To see how something that is normally used or done in one way has the potential to be used in a different way. This is a critical skill to develop in kids, especially since this is the skill most lost when they get older and stuck in traditional modes of thought.

Someone suggested to me that this exercise can almost be used as a warm-up to other exercises on a regular basis. Start the kids’ day with an exercise like this, and use a different object every time. Soon they will be thinking of original uses of everyday things, which will reinforce their skills at lateral thinking.

Ok so here’s what you need to do this. A lot of large sheets of white paper. Crayons, pens, paint, anything that will enhance their drawings. It may get messy but it will be fun. You should participate alongside them, just to subtly show your approval for this process, and that you’re willing to have fun with them (which you certainly will).

Ok so start off by getting the kids into an inventive mindset. Have a few toys out, and explain how each toy was invented by someone. This person invented the kid’s toy right out of his or her own head, and was able to get it all the way from just an idea, through to actually having it manufactured and sold in the toy shop. You’ll be surprised how many kids don’t think beyond the toy shop and see the toy shop as the begin and end for that toy. If the kids are really young, then you may not want to take all the mystery out of the process, and may wish to make the story more imaginative and less realistic.

That little talk mentioned above should start to spur on the right mood with the kids to get them inventing new toys. Spread out all your drawing utensils, and give the kids the opportunity to start their inventive journeys. At the end of it, each kid can give their new toy a name, and let the other kids know what it can do.

So that brings us to an invention idea for kids: get your kids to invent a new instrument. You will be amazed at their resourcefulness in pulling this off. There’s two approaches here. The one is for you to give them completely free reign to go out and find objects and things from which to create an instrument. The other is to provide them with a bunch of objects: sticks, stones, paper, cups, sugar and salt shakers, pepper grinders, you name it. Either way will work. If you have a playground or garden, tell them to go outside and find things that make interesting sounds (if they take you very literally they may start bringing frogs back – so beware!). They can even invent instruments out of their voices by making sounds.

If you have a group of kids, you can form a mini-band with all the instruments they have created. Make sure that everyone gets a chance to perform, even if the resulting sounds seems a bit cacophonous.

This idea teaches creativity and imagination, makes instruments and music seem really fun, and is very easy to do!