Living Dangerously

A best-selling book argues that parents are too protective of their children. A little danger can be a good thing, the author says.

Super Glue your fingers together.

Smash a penny on a railroad track.

Burn stuff with a magnifying glass.

Not particularly constructive activities …

but fun.

Especially if you’re a kid.

According to a new book, these are three of the 50 dangerous things parents should let their children do. The book’s title? Not surprisingly, it’s Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do). In response to the overprotective and excessively worried style of parenting that seems to dominate today’s culture, authors Gever Tulley and Julie Spiegler are urging moms, dads and kids to live dangerously!

Go ahead: Lick a battery!

It will teach you about shock and electric currents.

The dangerous activities in this book aren’t so much deadly and destructive as they are fun and engaging. And, of course, they should be attempted only with adult supervision. When done properly, these activities help children explore the world around them, learn problem-solving techniques and expand their creativity.

Has your...