Activity: Invent and Film a Commercial for a Made-Up Product

Perfect for: Indoors (living room, kitchen, or backyard as the film set)

Best for: Ages 6+ (builds creativity, presentation skills, teamwork, and confidence)

Activity Description:

Kids invent a pretend product—something helpful, hilarious, or totally bonkers—and create and act out a commercial for it, just like on TV or YouTube. They can use props, costumes, and dramatic voiceovers to make it feel real. It’s a perfect blend of imagination, communication, and performance skills, and it sparks laughter and creative thinking.

How to Do It:

1. Invent a Product

The more outlandish or useful, the better. Examples:

• The “Snore Muffler 3000” (for noisy sleepers)
• “Instant Homework Spray”
• “Pet Translator Glasses”
• “Invisible Shoes”
• “Mood-Color Changing Hat”

Let them design it, draw it, and give it a catchy name.

2. Plan the Commercial

Encourage a mix of these elements:

• Problem: Show a funny situation where the product is needed
• Solution: Dramatically introduce the invention
• Demo: Act out how it works (with props if needed)
• Catchphrase: Like “Don’t wait—innovate!”

Help them write a short script or storyboard if they want to plan it out.

3. Get Into Character

Kids can dress up like salespeople, inventors, or scientists. They can even be the customer or the narrator. Use props from around the house, or make them from cardboard and tape.

4. Film the Commercial

Use a phone or tablet to record it. You can:

• Add effects or voiceovers afterwards
• Do multiple takes
• Make it into a mini movie night premiere for the family

You could even make a series of commercials or a “kid’s Shark Tank.”

5. Reflect and Share

Talk about what made it persuasive or funny. Discuss real-world advertising, how products solve problems, and how presentation affects ideas.

This boosts communication, problem-solving, and business thinking.

And it’s a blast to act out.

Type n when you’re ready for the next exciting skill-building idea!