Writing and its good friend reading are two terrific activities. If you are feeling bored or lonely or feel like doing a quiet activity, reading a good book can introduce you to exciting adventures. Telling your own story can also be fun. You make up characters and have them act in any way that you choose. Grab a pencil and paper or a book, magazine, or newspaper and "try-it" yourself!

#1. All About Me
Write a story about your life (this is called an autobiography). You might want to describe your family, your home, your hobbies, your pets, your friends, your favorite activity, the things you like to eat or wear, and anything else that is important to you. Try illustrating your autobiography. You can draw pictures, or you can use photographs.

#2. Read the Story of Someone Special
Many books have been written about famous people. These are called biographies. Chose one to read. You might want to read about Juliette Gordon Low or Jackie Joyner-Kersee or Helen Keller or Harriet Tubman.

#3. Group Giggles
To do this activity you will need at least two or three other people. Have one girl start the story. She might say, for example, "I skipped through a field full of flowers in all the colors of the rainbow when all of a sudden..." Another person continues the story. Keep going until everyone has had a chance to add her part and the story is done.

#4. Become A Reporter
Many times, people who write articles for newspapers or magazines do interviews. They get to meet interesting and sometimes famous people. Interview someone you know and try to find out one particularly unusual fact about her or him. You might, for example, discover that your school bus driver plays the tuba or that your teacher has six sisters. Prepare about five questions, and keep asking until you find out one really fun fact.

#5. Write A Letter
Staying in touch with friends who move away or ones you meet at summer camp or on vacation can be difficult. But writing can help. Write letters that you send either through regular mail or e-mail. Tell your friends all about the Try-Its you are earning and the other things you are doing.

OR

Check out the Just for Girls Web site ( www.girlscouts.org/girls ). Ask for advice on a problem that has really been bugging you. (Keep in mind that Dr. M only answers one or two questions a week from the hundreds she receives.) See if there is any place asking for you to write something, and then just try it.

#6. Like It Or Not!
Read your favorite magazine. Which articles did you like best and which did you find boring? Why did you like some and not others? Was it the topic? The way it was written? Did some include activates that you enjoyed doing? Do the same things with the ads in the magazine.
Share the magazine with a friend and find out whether your likes or dislikes are similar.

Other Helpful Links:
O'Connell George, Kristine
TrickOrTreats.com - Hershey's
Young Writers' Clubhouse
Creative Classroom Online
Writing for Children
Writer Resources
Story Starters
Pet Projects - Games to help your child write a story about your pet.
Writing Lesson - Creativity, Anyone?

Brownie Try-Its Page