What Do These Expressions Mean? “Let’s try it” and “we should attempt” both mean to make an effort to do something new or challenging together. They tell a child that you are willing to explore, experiment, or take a risk. Children hear these words when trying a new food, a new game, or a new skill. Both build courage.
“Let’s try it” is a friendly, energetic invitation to make an effort. A parent says it when a child is nervous about a new activity. It is warm and team-oriented.
“We should attempt” means the same thing, but it sounds more formal and serious. It is less common in child speech. It might be used for a big challenge or a written plan. It is quieter and more careful.
These expressions seem similar. Both mean “let’s make an effort together.” Both build willingness. But one is warm and energetic while one is formal and careful.
What's the Difference? One is warm, energetic, and team-oriented. One is formal and careful. “Let’s try it” is what children say naturally. It is full of energy and togetherness. It is the classic phrase for new things.
“We should attempt” is more about making a considered effort. It is less emotional and more logical. A child saying it sounds very grown-up. It is correct but unusual for a child.
Think of a child nervous about a new slide. “Let’s try it together” is right. “We should attempt to go down the slide” would sound strange. One is for fun. One is for a report.
One is for everyday adventures. The other is for formal or careful plans. “Let’s try it” for a new food. “We should attempt” for a difficult task. Use the first for fun. Use the second for formality.
Also, “let’s try it” includes the adult in the effort. “We should attempt” sounds like a suggestion.
When Do We Use Each One? Use “let’s try it” for everyday new things. Use it before a new game, a new food, or a new activity. Use it to be a team. It fits friendly talk.
Examples at home: “Let’s try it. It might be fun.” “I’m nervous, but let’s try it together.” “Let’s try it. If we don’t like it, we can stop.”
Use “we should attempt” rarely. Use it for formal plans or written suggestions. Use it to teach the word. Children almost never need to say this phrase.
Examples for formality: “We should attempt to finish the project by Friday.” (formal) “We should attempt the harder level now.” (careful) “We should attempt to solve the problem together.” (serious)
Most children should just say “let’s try it.” It is clear, friendly, and natural. “We should attempt” is good to understand for reading. But for trying new things, “let’s try it” is best.
Example Sentences for Kids Let's try it: “Let’s try it! I think it will be fun.” “I don’t know if I can, but let’s try it.” “Let’s try it together.”
We should attempt: “We should attempt to finish the puzzle.” (formal) “We should attempt one more time.” (serious) “We should attempt to be calm.” (careful)
Notice “let’s try it” is warm and energetic. “We should attempt” is formal and careful. Children learn both. One for fun. One for formality.
Parents can use both. New food: “let’s try it.” Difficult task: “we should attempt.” Children learn different trying words.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Some children say “let’s try it” but then give up immediately. Trying means making a real effort for a little while. Encourage a few minutes of trying.
Wrong: “Let’s try it” (then quits after one second) Better: “Let’s try it for five minutes.”
Another mistake: thinking “we should attempt” is always better. It is not. “Let’s try it” is kinder for children. Use the warm phrase.
Wrong: “We should attempt to eat this carrot.” (too formal for a carrot) Better: “Let’s try the carrot.”
Some learners forget that “attempt” can feel like a big deal. For small things, say “let’s try.” Save “attempt” for bigger efforts.
Also avoid pressuring a child to try something they are truly scared of. Small steps first. “Let’s watch first, then try.”
Easy Memory Tips Think of “let’s try it” as two hands clasped together. Teamwork. Energy. Fun. For everyday adventures.
Think of “we should attempt” as a checkmark on a list. Plan. Formality. Care. For formal plans.
Another trick: remember the tone. “Let’s try it” = warm and energetic. “We should attempt” = cool and careful. Warm gets “let’s try it.” Cool gets “we should attempt.”
Parents can say: “Try for a go. Attempt for a pro.”
Practice at home. New snack: “let’s try it.” Difficult project: “we should attempt.”
Quick Practice Time Let us try a small exercise. Choose the better phrase for each situation.
A child is nervous about trying a new flavor of ice cream. a) “We should attempt this flavor.” b) “Let’s try it. You might like it.”
A family is planning a big, difficult hike for the weekend. a) “Let’s try the hike.” b) “We should attempt the hike. It will be hard but good.”
Answers: 1 – b. A new, low-stakes food fits the friendly “let’s try it.” 2 – a or b. “We should attempt” is more formal and fits a serious, planned effort.
Fill in the blank: “When I want to encourage my child to taste a new food, I say ______.” (“Let’s try it” is the warm, energetic, team-oriented choice.)
One more: “When I write a formal plan for a difficult task, I write ______.” (“We should attempt” fits the careful, formal, serious description.)
Trying new things takes courage. “Let’s try it” holds your hand. “We should attempt” makes a plan. Teach your child both. A child who learns both will try with joy and plan with care.