44 Things Every Kid Should Do Before Turning 8

1. Learn to manage your allowance, and think of the best ways to use it.

2. Run in the sprinklers. And make sure at least one of your parents runs with you.

3. Take part in a march for peace. Or something else you believe in. I recommend making a colorful sign to march with.

4. Ride a roller coaster.

5. Play tag in the rain.

6. Watch tadpoles hatch into frogs.

7. Catch and eat your own fish.

8. Learn a bit about astronomy and observe the stars.

9. Go to one -- or more -- major-league ball games.

10. Read at least one chapter book from start to finish.

11. Suffer a major disappointment and learn to live with it.

12. Experiment to find out how many different ways you can squirt water out of your mouth.

13. Learn how to ride a bike. I'm talking a two-wheeler without training wheels and extra points for gears.

14. Travel to the moon. Nothing is impossible before you're 8.

15. Get exactly the haircut you want -- not the one your parents want.

16. Make a yarn pom-pom. It's very zen and very soothing.

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18. Make up a recipe, cook it, and name it. (Bad example: "Anchovy Peanut Butter Surprise.")

19. Write a song, then sing it for three people and one animal. It could be a stuffed animal. But they tend to be more critical than live ones are.