So what happens when your trusty kickball -- *sniff sniff* -- gets a hole in it? Turn it into a planter, of course! Places where this would be cool: a gym teacher's office, a principal's office, a sports medicine or therapist's office, and pretty much any other office in the world (except the Adultitis-ridden ones). Here's instructions on how to make your own. …
On A Budget
5 Fun Things to Do at McDonald’s
So here's what I want to know. Is the guy in the white shirt another customer asking to take their picture to show people at work? Or is it the manager from McDonald's? And if the latter, is he saying, "You guys are hilariously creative! How about we treat you to four Happy Meals?" or "We have an Adultitis-ridden policy against fun and that's why I have to tell you to leave the premises immediately." Just wondering. While this is a fairly elaborate stunt, here are a few other things you can do next time you're at McDonald's: …
Nearly the Next Best Thing to a Real Lightsaber
I wonder if I'll ever see a real lightsaber in my lifetime. Not like a prop that they used in the Star Wars movies, but the fully functioning, cuts-through-steel-doors, real deal. Do they have the technology to make such a thing? It seems like they should. They'd probably be pretty dangerous and come with all sorts of warning labels and require a license and you'd hear about some idiot on the news who used it while drunk and accidentally killed his dog and cut his car in half. Until then, here's a tutorial to make some homemade ones that are much, much safer. Photo by Audra Caldwell …
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G’Day Mate: Adventures in Expanding Your Comfort Zone
I often wonder why I care so much about what other people think. I shouldn’t, and I like to think I don’t, but I do. Not always, but more often than I should. The irony is that the worst-case scenario is always the most terrifying when it stays in our head. If we were to actually speak our fears out loud -- to shine light upon them -- we would realize how ridiculous it is that we allow them to enslave us. When Kim and I wrote The Escape Plan, we identified this unfortunate but all-too-common trait that keeps us tied down and hastens the spread of Adultitis. And so we wanted to include …
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Chase That Happy with Ze Frank
Ze Frank is an intense and insanely creative dude. In this episode of his web show, he shares a number of awesome ideas for fun having. Such as: …
Time For a Mustache Cookout
I got this idea -- and the photo -- from Lisa Braithwaite, a K&J Nation member and all around person of awesomeness. It all began last Christmas when someone pulled out a mustache on a stick, which was used in photos at a family wedding the year before. Since there was only one mustache on a stick (note to self: always make sure to have plenty of mustaches on a stick on hand), someone else pulled out a pen and started drawing finger mustaches. Within about two minutes, everyone was in line for one and a good time was had by all. Lisa’s favorite is her mother-in-law, who is in the third row …
Homemade Donut Crayons
Food Network's Alton Brown may consider donut pans a "unitasker," but Tiffanie Turner has proven otherwise. She used her new pans to make these sweet donut crayons. The process is pretty simple: 1) Preheat the oven to 250º 2) Peel the paper off some old crayons. 3) Chop the crayons up and put them the pans. 4) Pop in the oven for 13-15 minutes, until donuts are just smooth at the top. 5) Cool them on a rack for about 15 minutes, then put them in the freezer for about 5 minutes to let the wax shrink away from the metal. Don't have donut pans? Sounds like it's time to get creative with …
How to Make Your Summer Memorable
What's a foolproof way to make your summer memorable? Get a face tattoo. Kidding. When we get to the end of our lives, the things that seem to matter most are the scenes. The adventures we shared with our partners in crime. The inside jokes and games we played and memories we made with the people we love. …
Our World Needs More Whimsy, Part 2
This is a follow up to this post. If you want to add a little bit more whimsy to the world, and you're looking for something fun and crafty to do, then first, gather some rocks. Paint them bright colors. With smiley faces or hearts or four-leaf clovers or anything else you might find in a box of Lucky Charms. Then bring them back outside for others to find. Bam. Instant whimsy. And just like that, the world is a little bit better place to live. Thanks to the awesome Katie for the idea (and photos.) …
More Cheap Family Fun: The Flour Game
Had I known about this idea two years ago, it probably would have made it into The Kim & Jason Guide to Cheap Family Fun. But I didn't, so here you go. It's called The Flour Game and if you like fun and aren't afraid of getting messy, this is for you. Get a teacup or small bowl and pack it tight with flour. Regular, white, flour. Flip the cup over onto a plate, remove it, and carefully place a Lifesaver candy on top. (Some people use a coin of some sort, but candy is better in every way.) Then everyone takes turns cutting the flour with a knife, taking care not to disturb the Lifesaver. …