Try a paper bridge challenge
Place two books a short distance apart and ask the child to make a bridge from one sheet of paper. Test it with coins or small blocks, then fold or roll the paper and try again.
- What changed when the paper changed shape?
- How could we make the test fair?
- Which design would you try next?
Create a household sorting lab
Collect safe objects such as spoons, lids, blocks, fabric pieces, and pencils. Sort them by material, shape, use, weight, or another rule the child invents. Ask whether one object can belong in more than one group.
Measure a moving shadow
Mark the tip of a plant pot or toy’s shadow at two or three times during the day. Compare the length and direction. Keep the activity observational and never encourage looking directly at the sun.
Keep the focus on investigation
Let the child make a prediction before each test and record the result with words or a picture. If the result is unexpected, treat that as the beginning of a better question. Adult supervision is important whenever small parts, water, heat, or outdoor spaces are involved.
