What Cool Thing Would You Do with 20 Bucks?
Choose items under twenty dollars, plan a simple project, and build a toy, craft, or experiment while tracking expenses and testing your ideas.
Step-by-step guide to What Cool Thing Would You Do with 20 Bucks?
26 FUN ACTIVITIES TO DO RIGHT NOW
Step 1
Pick a cool thing you want to make (toy craft or experiment) and write the idea at the top of your paper.
Step 2
Write the word "Budget" and "$20" under your idea so you remember your money limit.
Step 3
Make a list of the items you think you need and write an estimated price next to each item.
Step 4
Circle the items that keep the estimated total at or under $20.
Step 5
Go shopping with an adult and buy only the circled items.
Step 6
Put any receipts into the envelope so you can track what you actually spent.
Step 7
Clear a workspace and lay out all your materials in order before you start building.
Step 8
Follow your plan and build your toy craft or experiment.
Step 9
Test your creation to see if it works the way you wanted.
Step 10
Write the test results in your notebook so you remember what happened.
Step 11
Add up the actual costs from your receipts and write the final total next to your budget.
Step 12
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of expensive or hard-to-find items when making my toy, craft, or experiment?
Swap costly or rare supplies (for example, a hot-glue gun) for cheaper common alternatives like white school glue, double-sided tape, or recycled household items and update your materials list and estimated prices before circling items under $20.
What should I do if my total goes over $20 at the store or my project doesn't work when I test it?
If the total exceeds $20, un-circle optional items or pick cheaper substitutes and put the receipts in the envelope, and if the project fails a test, check your laid-out materials and steps, make one small fix, and record the new test results in your notebook.
How can I adapt this activity for younger children or older kids?
For younger kids have an adult help write the idea, manage shopping, and handle tools while the child places receipts in the envelope and does simple tests, and for older kids let them research prices, create detailed materials lists, and write precise test results to share on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the project after building it?
Personalize the build by decorating with fabric or paint, safely add a small electronics element if it fits the $20 budget, take step-by-step photos of your workspace and final test, and upload the results to DIY.org while comparing actual receipts to your original budget.
Watch videos on how to What Cool Thing Would You Do with 20 Bucks?
20 DIY IDEAS FOR LITTLE KIDS
4 Videos
20 DIY IDEAS FOR LITTLE KIDS
Get 5 Free Activities At the Preschool Prep Kids Club!
FUN PARENTING ACTIVITIES TO TRY WITH YOUR KIDS || Parenting Hack, Crafts, DIY
Top FREE Things to Do in the Summer Holidays for Kids | Summer Activity Ideas for Kids
Facts about budget-friendly maker projects for kids
♻️ Upcycling turns trash into treasure — old socks, cardboard, and bottles can become toys, planters, or art with a little imagination.
💸 A $20 budget goes surprisingly far: many craft-store clearance items cost $1–$5, so you can often assemble several projects from small buys.
🧰 Do-it-yourself projects boost creativity — makerspaces and DIY clubs give kids chances to try real tools and invent new things.
🎲 Handmade toys are ancient — children have crafted playthings from sticks, cloth, and clay for thousands of years.
🔬 Testing a toy or experiment like a scientist (hypothesis → test → tweak) helps kids improve designs and learn from mistakes.
How do you do the 'What Cool Thing Would You Do with 20 Bucks?' activity?
What materials do I need for the 20 bucks budget-build activity?
What ages is the 20 bucks challenge suitable for?
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for this $20 project?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required