Short answer
Choose small activities that make children think, explain and create with a parent nearby; avoid activities that turn AI into an answer machine.
Seven simple activities to try
- Spot the pattern: look at music, video or shopping recommendations and discuss why a system may have made that suggestion.
- Fact-check a fun answer: ask a chatbot a harmless question, then verify one claim using a book or trusted website.
- Build a family quiz: use AI to suggest question ideas, then let the child choose, improve and write the final quiz.
- Make a story plan: ask for three story starters, then have the child invent the characters and ending.
- Privacy detective: sort example details into safe-to-share and keep-private piles.
- Improve a weak prompt: compare a vague question with a clear question and notice the difference in the response.
- Create a helpful poster: make a poster of family AI rules using the child's own words and drawings.
What makes an activity safe?
A good activity has an adult nearby, does not require personal data, leaves room for the child's judgement, and ends with a short conversation. If the tool starts doing all the work, the activity has missed the point.
Keep the standard realistic
You do not need special equipment or hours of preparation. A phone, tablet, printed page or simple family discussion can be enough. Consistency beats complexity.
A practical next step
AI Explorers is WTB's parent-guided digital workbook for children aged 9-11. It turns the ideas in this guide into short, child-friendly missions on judgement, privacy, fact-checking and responsible creativity.