Outdoor Fun

- - - | written by Kim on 1/18/2017 | - - -

When Was Your Last Unscripted Adventure?

Nature and kids. It’s a magical combination. I treasure memories from my own childhood, ones like rolling down that huge hill at Allen Park next to the Illinois River, and climbing the tree in my front yard on Shady Lane, with grandiose plans to spend the whole afternoon there. These memories get richer with the years, don’t they? One of my deepest longings as a parent is to provide these magical moments for our kids. I’m finding that with all things in life, when I give, I end up receiving way more than I ever imagined possible. This little story illustrates the gift my kids gave …

- - - | written by Jason on 1/11/2015 | - - -

The Penny Date

When you have a map to anywhere and GPS in your pocket, it’s really hard to get lost. I think that’s too bad, because sometimes getting lost can lead to great adventures. Someone shared the idea of a “Penny Date” with me, and I wanted to pass it along. The first rule is to get dressed to out and grab a penny. Get in the car and let your partner choose a number between 10 and 20. This will be the number of times you flip the penny. Pull out of the driveway and begin your adventure. Heads is right, Tails is left. Every time you come to an intersection, flip the penny and turn the …

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- - - | written by Jason on 8/20/2014 | - - -

Our Silly Take on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

We inevitably got called out in the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that has taken the interwebs by storm. We happily accept the challenge from Michelle, our book agent, plus we will be donating $100 to ALS research. We enlisted the help of some friends for this one... By the way, this whole Ice Bucket Challenge thing is a stellar example of how the world is aching for silliness, but oftentimes, we just need a little permission. Making a video of yourself dumping a bucket of ice water of your head is pretty silly. People don't make a habit of doing things like this. But that doesn't …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/7/2014 | - - -

5 Ways to Turn Messes into Memories

Our society is over-sanitized. We emphasize order and cleanliness and anti-bacterial EVERYTHING. But when kids do what comes naturally — get messy — good things result. Not only does Adultitis throw a hissy fit, but according to a 2012 report by The National Wildlife Federation, playing in the mud provides benefits to immune systems, hearts and skin, as well as kids’ emotional wellbeing and learning skills. According to Dr. Joel Weinstock, director of gastroenterology and hepatology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, “Children raised in an ultraclean environment are not being exposed to …

- - - | written by Jason on 11/9/2013 | - - -

Keeping Kids Safe: Let’s Ban Tag!

In a story that seems ripped from the pages of The Onion, a middle school in Port Washington, New York has banned tag and cartwheels and balls of all sorts in order to cut down on injuries to children during recess. Yet another example of adults ruining everything. And we are one step closer to living in a society where we all wear Nerf clothing and drive on streets paved in Nerf in our Nerf-covered cars to our Nerf-wrapped places of employment. Kind of makes me want to invest in Nerf stock. Back in the day, if you didn't accidentally cut yourself on some sort or metal-edged toy …

- - - | written by Jason on 8/17/2013 | - - -

How To End Your Summer in Amazing Fashion

Egads, we've already sped past the middle of August, haven't we? In my role as a Professional Permission Granter, I feel that it's my duty to remind you that summer is almost over. That being said, I encourage you to make an effort to make at least one more awesome memory before the door hits summer in the tooskus. One more big fling. One more crazy scene. It doesn't have to be anything expensive, of course. A Frosty run to Wendy's could fill the bill. Especially if you're wearing your pajamas. Or you take a new friend. Or you order in a fake accent. Or all of the above. In case …

- - - | written by Jason on 7/16/2013 | - - -

What’s Better Than a Banana Split?

A giant one that's ten feet long, of course! Banana splits are pretty good at thwarting Adultitis. But 10-foot banana splits have been known to give Adultitis the hives. If you wanna make one for your next party, they seem pretty easy to put together. This tutorial uses a carpet tube and this one uses a simple rain gutter (both were covered in heavy duty aluminum foil.) If you wanna go crazy, eat it for dinner. If you wanna go easy on the waistline, try these Banana Split Bites instead. Photo from OhHappyDay …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/11/2013 | - - -

The World is Filled with Awesome Things

This is a photo by Allard Schlager of a real live tulip field in The Netherlands. I am convinced that you could live one hundred lifetimes and never see all of the wonders this world has to offer. It makes me wonder why we rely on drugs or alcohol or even television to enhance our reality. At best, they are cheap imitations. A more productive option might be to practice seeing the world through childlike eyes. The world is filled with awesome things. Look around and be amazed. …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/6/2013 | - - -

Bring the Magic of a Drive-In Movie to Your Own Backyard

I love drive-in movies. Always have. My parents took us to a few double features when I was little. I remember my brothers and I getting to watch the first movie and then having to lay down in the blanket-packed back of the red station wagon for the second (and more adult-oriented) one. Last summer we took Lucy to see Brave and The Avengers at a drive-in theater about a half-hour from Madison. (She too, fell asleep during the second one.) For the life of me, I don't know why this American classic is an endangered species. Some of you may not have a drive-in theater anywhere near your home. …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/14/2013 | - - -

The World Would Be Better if We Had More Giant Rubber Duckies Floating Around

I'll just state the obvious, because we've all thought it: We need more giant rubber duckies floating around in our lakes, rivers, and harbors. We also need more artists to think of ideas like this. The giant yellow ambassador of fun pictured above is the work of conceptual artist Florentijin Hofman, who states: …