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Discovery Rangers

Invent Like Ben Franklin: Smart Risks for Kids. Ranger Mission

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ScienceRanger MissionAll ages · 2 min

Invent Like Ben Franklin: Smart Risks for Kids

A hands-on field mission for the Discovery Rangers episode.

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Ben Franklin was an amazing inventor, always looking for ways to solve problems and make life better for people. He wasn't afraid to try new things, even if they seemed a little risky! This mission will help you think like a young inventor and discover your own smart risks.

The Big Question

How can we use what we see around us to invent something new?

What You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil or crayons
  • Everyday objects from around your house (e.g., empty boxes, string, rubber bands, paper clips, old clothes)

Mission Steps

  1. Spot a Problem. Look around your home. What's something that's a little tricky or annoying? It could be anything, like toys that always fall over, a door that slams shut, or getting tangled in cords.
  2. Brainstorm Solutions. Imagine you're Ben Franklin! How could you fix that problem? Draw or write down a few ideas, no matter how silly they seem.
  3. Choose Your Invention. Pick your favorite idea. What materials from around the house could you use to build a simple version of your invention?
  4. Build a Prototype. Use your collected objects to create a basic model of your invention. It doesn't have to be perfect; it just needs to show your idea.
  5. Test Your Idea. Try out your invention! Does it help solve the problem you spotted? What works well, and what could be improved?

Talk About It

  • What problem did you choose to solve, and why?
  • How did you use the materials you found to create your invention?
  • If you were Ben Franklin, what other problems would you try to solve with inventions?

Take It Further

For older rangers (ages 9-12), try to think about why your invention works. Does it use levers, pulleys, or other simple machines? If you were selling your invention, what would you call it and how would you tell people it's useful?

FAQ

Q: My child is too young to build something complex. A: That’s okay! The goal is to spark their imagination. For younger kids, drawing the invention and explaining how it works is a fantastic start.

Q: What if our problem is too hard to solve with household items? A: Ben Franklin often started with simple ideas and made them better over time. Focus on the process of thinking and trying, not on creating a perfect, finished product.

The Ranger Field Mission

Works after any episode · Any age · No equipment

Run this after every episode to turn listening into something your child actually keeps. Do as many steps as they have energy for — even one counts.

  1. 1

    Say it back

    Before snacks or screens, ask your Ranger to teach you the one big idea — as if you'd never heard it.

  2. 2

    Find it in the wild

    Hunt for one real example of today's idea — in the kitchen, the yard, the sky, or the sidewalk. Point at it and name it.

  3. 3

    Make something

    Draw it, build it from what's on the table, act it out, or record a 20-second “Ranger report.” Making it forces real understanding.

  4. 4

    Ask the next question

    Finish with “What's one thing the episode didn't answer?” Stick it on the fridge — that's the start of the next adventure.

Keep exploring

This mission is part of Parenting With Purpose - free tools that turn everyday moments into real learning. Browse every episode in the Library or open the Discovery Rangers podcast.

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