50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)

by Erika (age 12, @KNEstemGirls)

I really enjoyed 50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Children Do probably because I am a kid. Children love to take risks, but their parents don’t, out of fear that their kid will get hurt. However, we children don’t feel fear (like Germans [Editor’s note: That’s a movie reference toThe Martian]).

The book includes the ideas and the possible consequences. I recommend this book for kids who want to convince their parents to let them do dangerous things. The  book also gives you the steps for each activity. It includes the directions, the tools and supplies you need, the amount of time it takes, the difficulty, and other interesting information related to the activity. For example, it tells you how to put the pennies on the railroad and take them off once they are squished (task 20).

So far, I’ve licked a 9-volt battery, stuck my hand out the car window, driven a nail, thrown rocks, walked home from school by myself (even though I do that everyday), and much more! I did one of them when I was 8, so even younger children can do a few. I’m really hoping to throw things from a car window because it sounds like a lot of fun.

If you are a concerned parent, you can have your child (or children) read it and make them persuade you to let them do some of the activities. Then, if you are still concerned, you can read the page and see what the risks are, before you give your children permission.

This is one of my favorite nonfiction books.  It also tells you why you should do things. For example, it says to throw things from a moving car to “play with speed, gravity, and wind resistance” (task 15); however, some things you should do  simply “because it’s there” (like standing on the roof – task 19).

I’m still here and in one piece, after doing dangerous (and sort of safe) things, so get the book and try it out!