meta-dad

Hey Dads, Need Some Last Minute Gifts…

We all procrastinate, that’s okay, so long as it gets done time and the job is done well, right. When it comes to holiday shopping there’s no exception. Here’s a quick list of five affordable gift ideas for the family with an emphasis on everybody in the family. They are simple ideas to help spark some memorable gifts.

Baby Leg & Arm Warmers – I love these things! I have written about them before. They protect Baby’s elbow and knees when they’re crawling about, they provide an additional layer of warmth, and they make diaper changes super quick. Get them for the newborn, baby or toddler! I am a big fan of the selection at BabyLegs (between $7-$21, most $7-$12) but due to their popularity you can now find them at places like Amazon and Target.

Framed Personal Photos – Take a minute to burn a CD with some favorite family photos, either jump in the car and take them to be printed, print them yourself or upload them to Shutterfly (or the likes of), next buy a single frame or a set of frames at your favorite store and viola, you have a thoughtful gift of memories that the wife, grandparents or the in-laws will adore.

Classic Toys Under $10 – There’s a number of classic toys (*that aren’t choked with phthalates or dipped in lead-heavy paints) that I would recommend for either stocking stuffers or as solid little holiday gifts for your favorite niece or nephew when visiting for the holidays. There is a solid list of classic inducted into the Strong National Museum of Play (here are a few);

• Slinky
• Travel-sized Checkers Set
• Wooden Alphabet Blocks
• Small Lego Set
• Silly Putty

Gardening Starter Set – Get a good sized planters pot and fill it with the following; a few bag of seeds (flowers, herbs are very hearty and forgiving), a hand shovel and rake, gloves, and if you want to make the kit complete buy yourself a small bag of soil and put it into a zip-lock freezer bag.

Or, if you’re like me and running out of time or don’t want the DIY approach, check out the cute Kids Gardening Kits that are available online (starting at $20 [+ shipping]).

Emergency Play & Craft Kit – I have recently written a post about this ingenuous piece of packaging. The Momergency Kit is a bag filled with stuff. Stuff your kids can use to do various activities and craft to pass the time when your stuck at the airport, waiting in holiday traffic or just killing time. Granted the DIY Dad in me is tempted to run to an office supply store and make one myself, the most redeeming aspect of this little gem is that a portion of the proceeds go to the Heifer International to fight poverty and hunger.

Tags: 0-1 year, 2-4 years, 3-5 years, dad hack, DIY, holidays, non-toxic, toys

Five Fun and Simple Games for Dad & the Kids

How many times have I had downtime with the kids and they are bored, they’re slumping around the house with gaze fixed on me, as if to say, “Dad, what can we dooooooOO?” It’s not easy having fresh ideas to pull out of my hat, some of you dads might know what I’m talking about. Here are five free activities that will entertain the kids for hours.

I often try to see this as an opportunity to bond with the kids and to teach them the finer point of playing well with others and communication which usually means picking up on social cues, keep in mind I am talking about toddlers and preschool kids.

Over the next few months I will throw out a few more ideas and maybe eventually I will compile a master list. Moms and Dads, please pipe in.

1. Shadow Tag: all it takes is a sunny day – go to an open area, chase each other around using shadows. Whoever is “it” steps on somebody else’s shadow thus making that person “it.” Of course you don’t have to play with them, but explain the rules and set them up for a friendly round or two of tag, so they can get some exercise, have some fun and maybe blow some steam off. 

2. Play Fort: I just did this with the boys yesterday. It was cold and rainy outside. They had an absolute blast. Span blankets across the backs of two chairs or simply throw a sheet or tablecloth over the dining room table, viola – a “fort.”  They filled the fort with pillows, stuffed animals, snacks and flashlights. Once the novelty started wearing off, “Daddy Monster” came in to attack them when they were inside the fort, squeals of joy – that’s all I’ll say.

3. Monster Mask: regardless of your artistic abilities, I think everyone can have a good time with this. Take a brown paper shopping bag and have the kids draw a scary face with crayons, pencils, markers, whatever… Cut the eyes out, unless they old enough to do it themselves. Have them take the time to paste More »

Tags: 2-4 years, dad hack, DIY

Need Some Ideas for Carving the Pumpkin?

If you’re like me, it is always a last minute thing and I’m scratching my head for ideas. Alas the web (especially Flicker) has a basketful of good ideas to spark your next work of art. Some are definitely a little advanced for my sculpting ability but it’s worth a try.

I just try to remind myself that the kids are going to remember the family tradition of watching dad carve up the pumpkin while getting ready to trick or treat and hopefully they won’t remember how awful looking they were. What am I saying, they will remember and tease me forever more.

22 Inspirational Jack O’lanterns vis a vis GrowSpot.Com

Tags: dad hack, DIY, halloween

Dad Hack – PowerPocket

PowerPockets use the latest in “Thin-Film” solar energy technology to quickly and efficiently turn sunshine into electricity. Great for charging mobile phones, games, PDA’s and any other 12 Volt electronic device – and when you’re done, hide it away easily!

Keep a PowerPocket in your boat’s ditch bag for emergencies, or use it to trickle charge your motorbike or snowmobile battery. Take it on those long hikes or bike rides in case of emergency, or keep one in your home in case of a power outage due to natural disaster, put it on your vehicle dashboard, plug it into your dash and keep your electrical system fresh while your car or truck is parked for long periods.

You get the idea, it’s a solid “Plan B” when you need some juice and an electrical outlet is miles away.

Between $150 (6.5W kit) and $275 (12W kit) plus shipping at Reware.Com

Tags: better dad, better living, dad hack, DIY, green, technology

Toddler’s House Party

As parents know, they days of simple birthday parties are long gone. The themes and concepts seem to get more and more elaborate. And it is our challenge to make the whole thing seem effortless, right? My wife and I have been steadily downgrading the kids’ parties for the sake of sanity. We now have it whittled down to neighborhood kids, a few close schoolmates and best buddies. That is it.

Normally on the weekends I count him as my apprentice, whether I’m pulling weeds, fixing the fascia on the house or mending the fence. He’s had his own toolbox and tool belt for awhile now. So my wife figured he would enjoy a construction theme for his birthday.

Boy did he, our oldest son turned 4 last week. So we decided to invite a few kids over (twelve) to a Construction Themed Birthday Party (“Dress for Mess”). The festivities included lightening rounds of hot potato, musical chairs and duck-duck-goose. Mind you, we made all the games non-competitive. Meaning, for Musical Chairs we had equal number of chairs (12 kids, 12 chairs) to avoid the whole “you’re out” (meltdown). Which worked out well.

When the kids arrived they were given a yellow plastic hardhat and brought to an activity table where they could personalize it with stickers and such. They were each given a kid-sized work belt, that they could write their name on and draw all over. It was stuffed with little party favors (stickers, pencil and ruler set, brushes and travel size paint set).

The main attraction was three More »

Tags: 3-5 years, crafts, dad hack, DIY, party, simple kids projects, wife

DIY Dad – Make Your Own Plush Toys

What a great opportunity for you and your kid to create a custom plush toy! Consider this a “secret weapon” for those dreaded rainy afternoons or snowy winter mornings. This is a great opportunity for dads to see their kid’s imaginations in action.

Use this as an opportunity to stretch your kid’s storytelling ability (when they’re down with their little masterpiece, prod them for the character’s “back-story.” What planet is the plush character from, what do they eat, etc.) and their artistic flair. Sure it doesn’t look like much straight out of the box, but that’s the whole idea, the sky’s the limit!

Create your own plush monster or precious pal with Shawnimals 9-inch, DIY Plushform. Comes primed with a water-based solution so you can get to it with acrylics, oil paints and markers.

$20 (+ shipping) @ KIDRobot.Com

Tags: 3-5 years, 6-8 years, art, crafts, DIY, simple kids projects, toy