10 Amazing Invention Ideas for Kids

Inventions encourage kids to express their creativity while building their skills. When taught in the right way, all kids can become little inventors. They can keep themselves occupied when coming up with new ideas all the time. Whether it is for a science project, a science fair, or just to put their holidays to good use, here are simple yet cool inventions for kids that are sure to get them amped up about science! Along with the kid’s invention ideas, we also have safety tips that parents must keep in mind while their kids are bust inventing!

10 Invention Ideas for Kids That Are Easy to Set Up

Here are eight cool invention ideas for preschoolers your child can try at home:

1. Balloon Powered Car

This one is simple to build and a lot of fun while playing.

What You Will Need

• One big sized balloon
• Two long wooden skewers
• 3 drinking straws with one having a bendy side
• A stiff cardboard sheet
• A nail and a hammer
• Bottle caps
• Masking tape
• Small rubber bands

Instructions

1. Cut the cardboard sheet into the shape of a car as you would see it from the top. The skewers go where the wheel axles do, so ensure they stick out at least 1/4th of an inch from the sides to accommodate the wheels. Match the dimensions to get this form.
2. Cut two of the straws to make the car wheels’ axles and stick them to the bottom of the cardboard cutout where the wheels go.
3. Use a nail to poke holes in the bottle caps.
4. Place one skewer into each straw and then push the wheels into place at the end of the skewers. You can secure the wheels in place by using CA glue.
5. Secure the mouth of the balloon into the short end of a straw using rubber bands and masking tape.
6. Stick the straw on the centreline of the cardboard car such that the balloon sits on the car.
7. Inflate the balloon from the open end of the straw and pinch the open end to hold it inflated. Set the car on the floor and release it to make it move.

2. Stethoscope

This little invention is a must-try for all kids!

What You Will Need

• Two funnels
• A long cardboard tube/paper towel core/plastic tube that the funnels will fit into.
• Balloon
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Insert the smaller end of one funnel into the cardboard tube/paper towel core/plastic tube and secure it with duct tape.
2. Insert the smaller end of the second funnel into the opposite end of the cardboard tube/paper towel core/plastic tube.
3. Stretch the balloon over the mouth of on funnel. Ensure it is tight. Fix it in place with duct tape.
4. The rest of the stethoscope can be decorated with coloured paper.
5. To hear the heartbeat, place the balloon end of the stethoscope over someone’s heart and place your ear on the other end.

3. Clear Bottle Ocean

This is one of the most fun kindergarten invention ideas for kids.

What You Will Need

• Clear empty water bottle
• Water
• Blue food colouring
• Funnel
• Baby or mineral oil
• Glitter
• Seashells and some beach sand
• Tiny plastic sea animals from a hobby shop

Instructions

1. Start by removing any labels on the water bottle and clean away any residual glue to make it look clear.
2. Use the funnel to fill half the bottle with tap water.
3. Drop a few drops of food colouring into the water through the funnel. Be careful not to add too much, or the water will turn dark blue. Add just enough and stir to give it the colour of the blue ocean.
4. Now fill the rest of the bottle with mineral oil.
5. Drop some ocean sand, seashells, and plastic underwater animals into the bottle.
6. Close the cap tightly and shake it. Allow it to settle, and you have the ocean in your bottle!

4. Water-Glass Xylophone

This one is a great invention for you and your kids to have endless fun times playing music. If your children are inclined towards music, this instrument can go into their band.

What You Will Need

• Six to eight identical empty glass bottles
• Water
• Food colouring
• Plastic or metal spoons

Instructions

1. Arrange the bottles in a line on the table and fill each bottle with increasing levels of water.
2. Add a different drop of food colouring into every bottle so they all look distinct.
3. Tap the mouth of the bottles with the spoon and listen to the ringing sound they make. If two bottles make the same sound, increase or decrease water in one.
4. Once you are done fine-tuning the bottles, play it like a xylophone with the other instruments!
5. You can also experiment with using bottles of different shapes, sizes, and spoons made out of wood for different sounds.

5. Smartphone Projector

This is one of the coolest invention ideas for a school project that can also qualify for a science fair.

What You Will Need

• Cardboard box/shoebox or any narrow rectangular box.
• Clear tape
• Hobby store magnifying glass or camera lens
• Scissors or hobby knife
• A smartphone

Instructions

1. Cut out the flapping lid of the shoebox so the top side is always open, and you can slide the phone into the box.
2. On one end of the box, cut a circular hole slightly bigger than the diameter of the lens you have at hand.
3. Use clear tape to secure the lens in place inside the hole.
4. From the cardboard lid you cut out of the box, cut a small rectangular piece that can fit inside the box.
5. Make three alternating folds in this piece such that it forms an ‘M’, and makes for a good base for your phone.
6. Place the base inside the cardboard box and mount the phone on top of it such that the display faces the lens directly.
7. Close all the curtains and point the projector towards a blank wall and play a video on your phone.
8. Move the phone closer or further away from the lens so that it forms a sharp projected image on the wall like a movie screen projector.

6. Egg Drop Container

This one is a fairly advanced project for older children, the results of which are sure to surprise you as well!

What You Will Need

• A small plastic jar to hold an egg and wade around it
• Bubble wrap/cotton roll/styrofoam/soft foam
• A cardboard box big enough to accommodate the plastic jar
• Tape
• Scissors
• 4 long rubber bands

Instructions

1. The idea behind the project is to come up with a number of contraptions using available materials that can safely hold an egg inside the plastic jar while it is dropped from the balcony.
2. Try a number of methods using bubble wrap and foam to cocoon the egg and secure it inside the plastic jar while you drop it from the balcony.
3. For a real challenge, get rid of all the thick Styrofoam or bubble wrap wading and try to suspend the egg jar inside the carton box.
4. Start by packing the egg securely inside the plastic jar by using only the soft foam. Give it enough space to move around inside and avoid packing it tightly.
5. Take the cardboard box and poke two holes on each side 3 inches away from each other.
6. Thread a long rubber band into each hole such that the free/loose end is inside the box. These ends will be used to suspend the jar with the egg. They will act as bungee cords.
7. Once the rubber bands are threaded through all the holes, wrap them around the jar with the egg. Ensure the jar remains suspended in the middle of the box.
8. Take the contraption to your balcony and 3..2..1 drop!
9. Suppose the egg survives, then well done! If not, try again.

7. Castle Lantern

This is an invention that is sure to impress all your friends!

What You Will Need

• Cardboard sheet
• Scissors, hobby knife
• Paper glue
• LED Votive
• Butter paper
• Colours

Instructions

1. Draw the castle on the cardboard sheet with all of its four sides and colour it in your desired colours.
2. Use the hobby knife to cut out the windows and doors.
3. Draw little windows on the butter paper and glue them on the inside of the places where the windows were cut out from.
4. Make four creases where the whole sketch can be folded into a 3D model of a castle.
5. Fold the castle and glue the sides in place.
6. Place the LED votive inside and keep it on your table.

8. Paper Roll Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscopes are excellent to introduce kids to the world of optical wonders.

What You Will Need

• Core from a toilet paper roll
• Tape
• Shiny paper sheets or reflective sheets like Mylar
• Scissors and hobby knife
• White flat cardboard
• Decorative materials, buttons, sticker, etc
• Flexible straw

Instructions

1. To figure out the dimensions of the solid triangle (prism) that goes into the toilet paper core, draw a circular outline of the core on a sheet of paper.
2. Using a ruler and pencil, draw a triangle of equal sides that fits perfectly inside the core.
3. Glue the reflective papers to the while flat cardboard such that it forms a stiff mirror-like sheet.
4. Using the length of each side of the triangle as a measure, draw a rectangle on the reflective sheet such that the breadth of the rectangle is 3 times the length of the side of the triangle. The longer side of the rectangle should be as long as the length of the toilet paper core.
5. Divide the breadth of the rectangle into 3 segments (equal to the side of the triangle) and mark it using two parallel lines.
6. Using the line as a crease, fold the mirror-like sheet into a prism such that the reflective surface is on the inside.
7. Push the prism inside the toilet paper roll and cover one side with a reflective sheet held in place by tape.
8. Add the decorative materials inside and cover the open end with a transparent film.

9. Lemon-LED lights

Yes, lemon can generate power. Read the activity to learn how!

What You Will Need

• Lemons
• Coins
• Copper wire
• Paper clips
• LED light bulbs

Instructions

1. Squeeze some lemons to release their juices without breaking the skin.
2. Cut two slices at both ends of a lemon and add a coin to one slice and a paperclip to the other.
3. Next, connect these lemon slices using copper wires in such a way that one end is attached to the coin and another to the paper clip.
4. Connect the wire to the LED light bulb from both negative and positive ends, and voila!

10. Duct-Tape Purse

Your little one will love making a purse using simple duct tape!

What You Will Need

• Duct tape
• A pair of scissors
• Ruler
• Glue

Instructions

1. Cut four strips of 9-inch-long duct tape and stick them to each other parallelly.
2. Similarly, make another set and stick both together.
3. Trim the edges to make it straight.
4. Fold the strips vertically and stick them together on the edges with tape, leaving one side open, and your purse is ready.

How to Motivate Kids to Create Their Own Invention?

Here are ways to motivate your kid to make his own invention:

• Real-world problems are the true motivation behind inventions. Ask them to examine something they would like to be different from and collectively come up with a solution for it.
• Find better ways to make existing inventions better.
• Enter local science fairs and school exhibitions.
• Watch TV shows about Inventions.
• Provide your child with different supplies so that they can invent something new.
• Tell your child about new inventions that happened recently.
• Make your child read books about great inventors and how they came up with their inventions.
• Take your child to meet different inventors, if possible, to inspire them.

What Are Some Safety Tips to Keep in Mind While Inventing With Your Child?

Parents must follow the following safety tips in mind:

• Supervise your child when handling tools.
• Place their tools and equipment properly.
• Use age-appropriate ideas and equipment.

FAQs

1. When Is Kid’s Inventors Day Celebrated?

Kid’s invention day is celebrated on 17th January every year.

2. What Are Some Inventions Made by Kids?

Some inventions by kids are:

• Frank Epperson: Popsicle
• George Nissen: Trampoline
• Louis Braille: Braille
• Albert Sadacca: Christmas Lights

These simple inventions lay the foundation and skills needed to build complex things in the future. Inventions are a great way for kids to explore all the STEM areas in their academics.

Also Read:

Role Play Ideas for Children
Clay Craft Ideas for Kids
Escape Room Ideas for Children