Technolandy

Day 123 (of 2024/25) Dangerous things to do going into spring break… 2025 edition (heavily inspired by Gever Tulley and @genxjono

We talk a lot about wanting kids to be kids ~ the way us older folks tend to romanticize our own youths – fond memories of being out of the house until the streetlights went on… omitting the memories of not being able to get into a house because the doors were locked and you had no idea where your parents were… the good old days… weren’t. But just like the Princess Bride (book edition) you can focus on the ‘good parts’ edition to have some fun!

Gever Tulley started with a ted talk and then expanded to a book about Dangerism – including 50 things to try; supported in part by some BC Doctors as I highlighted last year before spring break: https://technolandy.wordpress.com/2024/03/01/day-116-of-2023-24-dangerism-revisit-from-gever/

But with only days of school left before the 10 school day spring break, I thought I would share some things to get risky with… nah… like DarkWing Duck… Let’s get dangerous…!

10 Things To Try:

1. Battery Tester – the 9 volt battery used to be the ‘one that ruled them all’  and while that has slipped, they still are needed here and there. And unlike AA/AAA batteries, there’s an easy way… touch your tongue the the positive/negative outlets at one end. If it’s dead, nothing happens… if it has some juice, well … you will get a small shock. It’s 9 volts. It’s not like youre putting something metal into the outlet plug… that’s a “don’t” thing to try… electricity is a wild thing! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBJnEoqv/
2. Make an explosion (aka rocket) carbonated water can be great – but the more recent advent of mentos and key diet pop… the fountain is great, but can you launch something from it? Or if at home, look to mix some vinegar and baking soda! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMB2e1brg/
3. Climb a tree. I feel bad for my kids that we never had a house with an apple tree as good as the one I had in my backyard (we had 2, but the other one was in a crappy postal code!) spent a lot of time climbing trees… only got slightly hurt – no broken bones!
4. Stick your hand out a car window (while going for a drive). Explore how the wind makes your hand move to seek aerodynamic understanding (the faster the better)! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBRJbRos/
5. Throw rocks (ideally at other rocks) we used to always stop on the walk home at a great rock-slide area… of course adults hated that we might dislodge a bigger rock! The goal was to have a little avalanche reach the road! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMB2eSfQo/
6. Build a flying machine! Start with folding paper to make some airplanes and then see what else you can make fly! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBdEyGm8/
7. If it rains, find some water streams and dam it up! See if you can force some water to go to places it didn’t want to!
8. Take something apart. 
9. Do a public performance! There’s enough dance trends to go around that you ought to be able to embarrass yourself (or a group together!) in a fun way! Doesn’t need to be a big thing – try juggling in front of a school! Or… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHMCT0JPzrJ/?igsh=YjE2NnM5bjkzaW1o
10. Go explore! Take a trail (or make a trail) in an area you haven’t gone before! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBNHWCXs/

Bonus: try a new food – even if it’s something ‘safe’ – like a different flavour pickle! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBdEaQCb/

Read a book – paper or on screen… explore a new author! https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMB2JoNw9/

I’ve added my own TikTok videos to help model each of these dangerous things to do!