SCAMPER

Use this quick and fun activity anywhere, anytime.
Try SCAMPERing in the car, while walking, or just sitting around!

Ready!
Find an everyday object.
Gather around your family and friends.

Set!
SCAMPER is an acronym for...

Substitute something for it.
For example: use a nail and some paint.

Combine: what could you combine with your object to make something useful?
For example: attach a spoon to your pen so you can eat breakfast while doing the crossword puzzle.

Alter or Adapt and Aspect: How could you change your object to make something new?
For example: The ink would glow in the dark for night reading.

Magnify or Minify an aspect: What aspect could you "blow up" or shrink to make something new?
For example: You could shrink the casing to the size of a finger, that way it would more easily fit into your pants.

Put some part of it to other use.
For example: use a ballpoint pen without the ink cartridge for a straw.

Eliminate some part of it.
For example: dispose of the nib to write with blotches.

Reverse or Replace some part of it.
For example: put an eraser instead of the ink in the tube.

Go!
Try to SCAMPER with these objects:

• pencil
• mug
• scissors
• paperclip
• pad of paper

It's easy to get some crazy ideas. If you want, try to make the stuff you think up!

© The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 1999