Some ideas for afternoon projects!

[LEDs]

LEDs

We have red, green and yellow LEDs -- you can make different patterns of lights, controlled by pushbuttons, control knobs or photocells.
[piezo buzzer]

Music

Make music with piezo buzzers. Have the Arduino make up random music, or make tones according to user input from a control knob, joystick or light sensor.

[mini joystick]

Joysticks (4)

A joystick is just two potentiometers, one in each direction. Use it to control lights, sound or whatever. Some joysticks include a pushbutton too.

[CdS photocell]

Photocell (light sensor)

Make music with a light theremin. Make an alarm that goes off when someone opens your backpack. Detect when a light turns on.

[tilt switch[

Tilt switch (6)

Make a burglar alarm that goes off when someone tries to open a box lid.
Make something that lights up when you shake it, or a pedometer that keeps track of how many steps you take.

[Sonar rangefinder]

Sonar rangefinder (4)

Ultrasonic sonar rangefinder. Use like a motion detector, to tell if someone walks in front of your project. Or put on the front of a car to keep it from bumping into walls.

[Stepper motor controller]

Stepper motor (4)

Rotate things around.
We have two types: one uses the Arduino Stepper library and the other uses the LadyAda motor shield. The LadyAda one is easier to wire up, but you have to download a separate library.
[Passive IR motion sensor]

IR motion sensor (2)

Make an alarm that sounds whenever someone walks past.

Or make something that plays music or lights LEDs when you wave your hand in front of it.

[Servo]

Servo Motor (2)

Move things back and forth, or around in a half-circle.

Can be finicky; may need an extra battery.

[Truck wired with Arduino]

Cars / DC motors (2-4)

Make toy cars drive around. Maybe couple them with a light or IR motion sensors.

Warning: motors are finicky. It's fun to get them working but they can be frustrating,