An old box, a few odds and ends—and your
guidance—can bring cheer into any child's
day.
By Craig and Liz Larcom
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When winter weather clamps a damper on your youngsters'
usual activities, it's time to put a little magic in their
lives by helping them build a Quiz-In-A-Box. This simple
contraption holds a surefire double-barreled appeal for
school-agers: They get to make up their own test questions
for a change . . . and they get to feel the excitement and
satisfaction of tackling a basic electrical project.
You don't have to be an electrical whiz to direct them,
either. Just follow the easy (and safe) instructions, and
even if it's your first voltaic venture, you'll carry the
day.
READY, SET . . .
First, of course, you'll need to round up the necessary
tools and materials. (If you have more than one budding
electrician, you'll probably want to ferret out the makings
for a Quiz-In-A-Box for each youngster; the cost per device
should come to less than a dollar, and the children will
enjoy trading boxes and trying each other's test
questions.)
For each game, find a sturdy, lidded box that's at least an
inch deep and no less than about 8" X 10" overall.
Department-store gift boxes are ideal, but don't hesitate
to improvise with whatever you have on hand; even an
ordinary shoe box will do, with some minor alterations to
the following instructions. You'll also need a sheet of
plain lettersize paper, about 10' of light insulated bell
wire, at least 18 brass paper fasteners, a A-battery, and a
small 1.5- to 2.5-volt bulb (such as a standard flashlight
bulb). Plus, to put it all together, you'll need scissors,
duct tape, a jackknife, a cutting board, a pen, and
longnose pliers. Wire strippers will come in handy, too.
If the box is white or a solid color, you can leave it as
is—but if it has print or a design on it that might
be distracting, scrounge up a sheet of plain wrapping paper
or a paper bag cut flat with which to cover the lid, and
cellophane or masking tape to hold the covering in place.
Now you're ready to call the youngsters and get started.
GO!
If the box lids are to be covered with paper, this is the
time to do it. Help each child cut and tape the wrapping or
bag paper over the lid. Also, if the sheet of letter-size
paper is the same size or larger than the box lid, it'll be
necessary to cut the sheet to fit the lid, minus about two
inches at the top. This will leave enough open space at the
top of the lid for the question and answer wires and the
bulb.
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