I put on my snow pants, boots and mittens and scoured the vast wastelands of the Internet to uncover a whole bunch of neat tips for making your next snowman the envy of the neighborhood. Please keep in mind that these tips are for building a traditional snowman, which is typically three snow balls placed on top of each other. If you want to get all crazy and create some elaborate snow sculptures, this is not the post you're looking for. These tips are for those times when you want to roll old school. …
On A Budget
The Skipper
I'm not sure how I feel about this guy. This video is three decades old, but I know one thing for sure: he has no Adultitis whatsoever, as far as I can tell. His secret? Skipping. "That sensation is absolutely one of the most extraordinarily joyous sensations that a person will ever experience." --Bill Martinelli, The Skipper (now known as Skip Martin) I gotta be honest, even though it's been a while since I've been skipping, it's probably in the top five, for sure. It IS hard not to feel joyous when you are skipping! And I love how he made a business out of skipping. But this is the …
Making Memories Stick: One Sentence Daily Journal
My memory stinks. And I'm not even forty. Perhaps that is why I am so interested in simple ways to record the cool stuff that happens in my life. Then when I'm old I can actually have some idea of what I spent my life doing. …
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Superhero Fort Kit
Ok, so how awesome is this...a Superhero Fort Kit! Complete with sheets! Clamps! Glow sticks! The best thing is that you can make it yourself and then make the MONTH of a kid. (If you can dare to part with it, that is. Better make two.) The ideas and photos come from the fun and awesome Meg + Andy, as does this handy list of what you need to make your own Superhero Fort Kit: 2 Twin sheets: ARC for about $2 each Ties on the Sheet: old XL T-shirt Rope: Hobby lobby for about $2 Flash Light: Dollar Store $1 Clamps: Dollar Store $1 Glow Sticks: Dollar Store $1 Clothes Pins: …
17 Surprisingly Practical Uses for Silly Putty
There is great debate in toy history as to who really invented Silly Putty. One thing is for sure: we can thank the American rationing of rubber during Word War II for its existence. The shortage of rubber was due to the Japanese invasion of many rubber-producing countries during that time period, which led the U.S. government to fund research into synthetic rubber compounds. James Wright, the man who was awarded the patent in 1943, discovered that reacting boric acid with silicone oil would produce a gooey, bouncy material with several unique properties. Although it never became a suitable …
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Small Rebellion #5: Pajama Run
It’s time for another official Small Rebellion (a small but mighty act of defiance against Adultitis and the rules that don’t exist)! Pajama Runs are great, because they fit into busy schedules, allow you to break a few “rules,” and for the price of a few simple ice cream cones, you get to create a memory you will never forget. The Mission: Put simply, a Pajama Run is when you surprise someone by taking them out for a late-night ice cream treat in their pajamas. In fact, EVERYONE involved needs to be wearing pajamas. Anyone can play -- you can “kidnap” your kids, grandkids, parents, or …
Mustache Straws Make Everything Better
I don’t know what it is about mustaches, but they’re quite the trend. The best I can tell, fake ones are still more popular than the real ones (with apologies to Mr. Tom Selleck.) You may remember a post a few months back in which I suggested the idea of having a mustache cookout. This week I’m sharing another mustache-related project because it’s fun and funny, and a ridiculously easy way to upset Adultitis. Which pretty much covers our M. O. around here. …
Ding Dong Ditch 2.0
One of my favorite parts of the first ever Escape Adulthood Summit was tapping into the collective knowledge and wisdom of every in attendance. We spent a few hours on Saturday afternoon sharing insights and ideas to help each other with various hot button issues. One of the things that got brought up by a camp director named Jen was the subject of pranking. Pulling pranks and practical jokes is fun in large part because of the rush of excitement that comes from getting away with something and creating a scenario that contains the element of surprise. Unfortunately, it too often makes the …
How to Build Tree Swings, Teepees, and Sweet Watermelon Homesteads
Even though kids are starting to go back to school, summer is still hanging on for a bit longer, and watermelons are still being sold at the supermarket. I love this watermelon homestead, carved up by the Dahls and featured on their site Builtbykids.com. I especially LOVE the mission behind their site: …
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Quite Possibly the Most Fun Service Project Ever
College students sometimes give up their spring break to go on a service trip. Boy scouts have to collect service hours to earn certain types of badges. Lawbreakers must log a set number of community service hours in order to pay their debt to society. Every year, thousands of brave men and women enlist in the military to serve their country. According to Muhammad Ali, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Service is super important. The dictionary defines it as “an act of helpful activity.” But it seems that people have certain pre-conceived …
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