Blogging From A to Z Challenge: I is for Invention

Hoppy Friday! I know, it probably doesn't feel much like Easter right now—though, I hear the Easter Bunny has been declared an essential service!—but Mom says we're going to make the best of it with a virtual egg hunt at Grandma's house, a nice ham dinner, and a Sunday full of eggcellent crafts. <heh> But before that....

I'm participating in the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge and my theme this year is 26 Super Fun Learning Activities You Can Do From Home. That's right, I'm conjuring up 26 "educational" ideas to keep you busy while you're safe at home. But don't get too hung up on the word "educational"—so far, they've all be fun activities. Honest!

Last Wednesday, I kicked off the challenge with Art for the letter A. On Thursday, B was for Baking. My sister and I did some chemistry on Friday, and I rounded off the week with a family dance off. On Monday, we did some exercise (which was way more fun than you think) Tuesday was all about family, Wednesday we did some gardening, and yesterday we celebrated Poetry Month by writing haikus. Feel free to share yours, by the way.

What have I planned for the letter "I?" Scroll down to find out!

I is for Invention

Did you know that the walkie-talkie was invented in 1942 by two Canadian men? Or that Jacques Plante—also a Canadian—invented the hockey goalie mask? In fact, hockey, lacrosse, and even basketball are Canadian inventions! And you know the IMAX movie theatre? That was invented in Canada as well.

You might be surprised by how inventive Canadians are—they've created everything from Superman (yep, him too!) to insulin for diabetes.

And of course, if you've read the Superman Duffy graphic novel, Fields of Home, you know that canola is Canadian too. The list goes on and on. In fact, you can read about a bunch of Canadian inventions in "O" (download it—and all of the Superman Duffy graphic novels—for free here.)

You might not think so, but now is a great time for creating things. Yes, while in self-isolation. We hope that some Canadians are making a vaccine for coronavirus right now—because history shows that some pretty great things were invented during times when people had to isolate. Shakespeare wrote King Lear during the Plague in the 1920s. The famous painter Vincent Van Gogh painted his masterpiece "The Starry Night" while alone in the hospital for an extended period of time. And Isaac Newton's theory of gravity germinated while he was in quarantine.

Obviously no one expects you to be Shakespeare, Van Gogh, or Newton (though I bet you could do anything you set your mind to), consider other "inventions" you might try—like, using your cooking skills to invent a new recipe. Or maybe a new game you can play virtually with your friends.

Need some inspiration? Check out this video for three simple kid-friendly inventions that use common household items.

Worried you're too young to try an invention? No way! Take a look at this list of inventions by kids I bet you had no idea were invented by kids—like Christmas lights!

Gotta jet! My sister and I are drawing and colouring giant paper Easter eggs to put on the windows for our neighbourhood Easter egg hunt. When kids walk by they will see our Easter eggs and hopefully it will make them smile. After that, it's time to get inventing. What will YOU come up with?

See you tomorrow for the last Blogging from A to Z Challenge post of the week—a super fun letter "J."

~ Chase Superman Duffy