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Thinking play

Independent Investigation

Preteen runs a multi-step controlled investigation on a question they choose and presents findings.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Independent Investigation.
  • Age10 to 13 years
  • TimeAn hour or more
  • EnergyModerate
  • CostLow cost
  • WhereIndoors or out
  • Prep15 min

Your child chooses a question they can test, plans a fair experiment, runs it carefully, records the results, and presents what they found. A real, self-directed investigation from question to conclusion.

How to do it

  1. Have your child turn a curiosity into a testable question, such as which paper towel absorbs most or what makes a plant grow fastest.
  2. Ask them to plan a fair test, deciding what they will change, what they will keep the same, and what they will measure.
  3. Let them predict what they think will happen and why, then run the test more than once for reliable results.
  4. Have them record the results in a table or chart as they go.
  5. Ask them to draw a conclusion that answers the question and to present it, including anything that surprised them.

What you need

  • Test materials
  • Notebook
  • Ruler
  • Device

Signs it is working

Your child plans what to keep the same rather than changing everything at once. They run the test more than once instead of a single try. Their conclusion answers the original question using their own results

If it is not quite clicking

Child changes several things at once: Help them see they cannot tell which one mattered, then pick one variable to change. The results are messy: More repeats often help, and unexpected results are still valid findings. The question is too big to test: Narrow it to one measurable part.

Make it yours

Younger, 9-10 years: A simple one-variable test with your help planning the fair test and recording results. Older, 12 years and up: Add more repeats, an average of the results, and a note on what could be improved next time. Siblings: Each runs their own investigation and they present to each other, or they repeat the same test to compare results.

Try this with your child.

Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.

Try it in the app