One of the things I loved when growing up was movie time with my dad. Some of his favorite films happened to be the James Bond franchise and to this day I can’t get enough of 007. I remember wishing that I had all his cool gadgets and oh how fun it would be to actually use them. His cars were amazing and he was oh so super cool. No matter which actor plays the role of James Bond, there’s just something about being a great spy and he’s one of the best. Today we share some summer fun for your secret agent.
Has your child expressed interest in becoming a special agent, a spy, or a detective? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your child has a gift for observation, or maybe your child has natural curiosity
that seems to run wild. While these interests and abilities can lead to many challenges in parenting, you can use your child’s natural inclinations to help them learn, explore, and enjoy the world around them this summer.
Here are just a few fun examples of simple activities that will catch the eye of any junior spy:
Complete a Top Secret Mission
Every secret agent needs a challenging top secret mission to complete! Here are some examples of top secret missions that you can issue to your child:
- Make your sister’s bed without getting caught.
- Build and then complete an obstacle course in the backyard as quickly as possible.
- Watch family members for a week and make a secret list of all the nice things you catch them doing throughout the week.
- Help someone find an item that is lost.
- Leave cookies on the neighbor’s doorstep without getting caught.
- Do another family member’s chore in secret.
- Deliver a secret message to a family member or friend.
- Solve a nature mystery. (For example, what animal makes a certain set of tracks in the yard?)
- Make up code words or create your own secret language.
- Watch for someone who needs help and ask mom or dad to help you help them.
Note: As you may have noticed, many of these secret mission suggestions involve observing good things that are going on in the world, as well as offering help to others. Through these types of secret missions, you can help your child use their natural curiosity to make their world a better place.
Read a Book
Take your child on a special mission to the local library to find and then check out some of these recommended books:
- Spy Guy: The Not-So-Secret Agent by Jessica Young (recommended age: 4-8)
- Nate the Great Series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (recommended age: 6-9)
- Secret Agent Jack Stalwart Series by Elizabeth Singer Hunt (recommended age: 6-9)
- Geronimo Stilton, Secret Agent Series by Geronimo Stilton (recommended age: 7-10)
- Encyclopedia Brown Series by Donald Sobol (recommended age: 8-12)
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (recommended age: 8-12)
- From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (rec. age: 8-12)
- Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (recommended age: 8-12)
- Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene (recommended age: 8-12)
- The Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon (recommended age: 8-12)
- Theodore Boone Series by John Grisham (recommended age: 8-12)
- When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (recommended age: 8-12)
Watch a Movie
After spending an active day in the sun, let your child enjoy one of these movies. All of these titles are currently available for purchase in a DVD format from Amazon:
- Agent Cody Banks
- Harriet the Spy
- Nancy Drew
- National Treasure 1 & 2
- Scooby Doo
- Spy Kids
- The Great Mouse Detective
- The Junior Spy Agency
Research Cool Gadgets
Every spy, agent, and detective relies on cool gadgets to get the job done. While many gadgets in books and movies don’t exist in real life, there are a lot of really amazing tools that do exist in real life! You can spend an afternoon researching these incredible gadgets online together.
After researching cool gadgets online, ask your junior secret agent what gadgets they would like to invent to help them with their secret missions, or to help them solve a mystery. You can also challenge your child to make a new gadget using household items.
Play it Safe
While pretending to be a secret agent, a spy, or a detective can be a lot of fun, make sure that you discuss safe spying with your child. Discuss situations where it is ok for your child to spy and other situations where spying is not appropriate. For example, spying on a family member so that you can do something nice for them when they aren’t looking is appropriate. Standing outside a neighbor’s house and spying on them through the window is not appropriate. Keep a close eye on your child’s behavior and openly discuss any situation that causes you concern.
Let’s discuss: What other ideas can you think of for your very own secret agent?
