If you are looking for something the family can do together, you can’t do better than getting a Frisbee and heading out to the nearest open space. It is surprising how long this kid’s toy has been around and how elaborate its uses have become. It is simple and extremely complicated at the same time. It takes nothing more than …
Bull’s Eye
When the weather turns nasty, family time increasingly focuses on indoor activities. As you are considering various ways to have some family fun, don’t forget about throwing darts. Darts is a great activity because the equipment is cheap, great skill is not necessary and it can be competitive while being less prone to violence (though darts can be hazardous when …
Hiding Phone Apps In Plain Sight
Giving your teen their own smart phone is a privilege and responsibility. It will include setting some limits on acceptable uses for the phone and any other devices that connect to the internet or wifi. Once again the speed of technological advances (driven by the availability of teen’s disposable income to buy relatively inexpensive apps for their phone) has complicated …
The Great Pumpkin
Remember how much fun it was to get pumpkins and make jack-o-lanterns with your kids when they were young? Well, it can still be an enjoyable family activity with your teenager if you do a little planning and have a little consideration for your teen’s sensibilities and schedule. Here’s how. Find a local pumpkin patch. Purchasing a pumpkin at your …
Barbecuing On The 4th
Don’t get so caught up with your special barbecuing techniques that you forget how much kids love to play with fire. Give them a role in starting the charcoals, responsibility for some of the cooking (though not what everyone is going to eat since they will worry it into little pieces) or, better yet, make a fire pit somewhere in …
Drive In Theaters
Believe it or not, drive in theaters still exist! And they are a perfect family destination for a nostalgic drive down movie theater lane. Drive ins have a lot to offer as a family outing compared to your traditional indoor movie theater multiplex. First and foremost, it is an adventure. You and the kids will have the opportunity to view …
Canoeing Down a Lazy River
Canoeing is a great way to spend quality time while engaging in an activity that doesn’t involve passively sitting in front of some sort of electronic device or standing over your kids while they do chores. But with all good parenting decisions, there are some secret objectives. Canoeing is one way to: Create a “time apart” with your kids Benefit …
Family Picnic in the Park
Picnics are an ideal way to spend some family time together during the high days of summer. Just look at this happy family in the picture above! The beauty of a picnic is it can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish to make it. There can be something for everyone since you and your kids can read, …
How To Get Your Teenage Boy To Open Up
Everybody knows boys are just not talkers. Boys brains are wired differently when it comes to language and emotion. Boys are doers not thinkers. Boys are naturally better at math and visual spatial tasks. Well. Actually, these “facts” are myths. Most differences between boys and girls appear to be more about how they are raised than how they were born. …
Summer Nights
Summer nights are a perfect time to hang out as a family. Fireflies are still out in Tennessee, putting on their mesmerizing light show. These little unassuming bugs are one of nature’s marvels. (How do they DO that?!) June is also the month of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This year it falls on June 21 …