Filter Categories: Choleric

Junkyard Smash

Get some friends to go in on a junkyard car and let the kids smash away all their teenage rage! Great for fundraising drives, event hype, frat parties… just saying…

Make it Meaningful with a Conversation on Anger Management:

Having a conversation with your child about anger management can feel daunting, but it’s an important step in helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms and navigate their emotions effectively. Here are some tips to guide you:

Choose the right time and place: Good news, this is the perfect time to engage. Avoid initiating the conversation when your child is already feeling angry or upset.

Start with empathy and understanding: Acknowledge their feelings and validate their experience. Phrases like “I see you’re feeling frustrated” or “It sounds like you’re really angry right now” can help open the door to communication.

Focus on the behavior, not the person: Instead of saying things like “You’re always angry” or “Why are you acting like this?”, focus on the specific behavior that bothers you. For example, “I don’t like it when you yell at me” or “Hitting is not okay.”

Use “I” statements: Express how their behavior affects you. Saying “I feel hurt when you yell” is more likely to resonate with your child than accusatory statements.

Listen actively: Give your child your undivided attention and let them express their feelings without interruption. Show them you’re trying to understand their perspective.

Offer solutions and alternatives: Work together to brainstorm healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with anger. This could include taking deep breaths, counting to ten, taking a break, expressing their feelings verbally, or engaging in physical activity.

Be patient and positive: Change takes time and effort. Encourage your child for their efforts and celebrate their progress, no matter how small.

Lead by example: Be mindful of your own anger and how you express it. Model healthy coping mechanisms for your child and avoid yelling, name-calling, or other aggressive behaviors.

Seek professional help if needed: If your child’s anger is causing significant problems at home, school, or in their social life, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide additional support and guidance for both you and your child.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

Remember, open and honest communication is key. By approaching this conversation with empathy and understanding, you can help your child develop the skills they need to manage their anger in a healthy way.

Laser Tag

When we were kids we had to drive two hours. Now they’re everywhere and still just as fun, but you’ll also discover that you’re not as nimble as you were at 12 years old… Great for turning sibling rivalry into a family bonding moment. Most facilities have plenty of other activities (arcade, bowling, beer) to keep everyone entertained for a few hours.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Not just for bigger kids. Many gyms offer kid areas for bouldering and auto-belaying.

Scaling New Heights: The Value of Taking Your Kids Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is an activity that’s often associated with physical challenges and adrenaline rushes. But beyond the thrill of reaching the top of a wall, rock climbing offers a wealth of benefits for kids, particularly in the realm of socio-emotional development.

Building Confidence and Self-Esteem:

Rock climbing requires facing fears and overcoming challenges. Each time your child successfully navigates a difficult section of the wall, they experience a boost in confidence and self-esteem. This sense of accomplishment translates into other areas of their lives, making them more likely to tackle new challenges with a positive attitude.

Developing Problem-Solving Skills:

Rock climbing is a puzzle that needs to be solved one move at a time. Kids learn to analyze their options, assess risks, and plan their next steps. This critical thinking and problem-solving translate into other areas of their lives, helping them approach academic challenges and social situations with more strategic thinking.

Enhancing Focus and Concentration:

Rock climbing demands focused attention on each handhold and foothold. Kids learn to block out distractions and maintain their concentration on the task at hand. This improved focus benefits them in the classroom and other demanding situations.

Promoting Teamwork and Communication:

Many climbing gyms offer opportunities for belaying, where one person secures the climber’s rope while they ascend. This act of belaying requires trust, communication, and clear instructions, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Building Resilience:

Rock climbing inevitably involves setbacks and falls. But the key is to learn from these experiences, dust yourself off, and try again. This process of overcoming challenges builds resilience, teaching kids to bounce back from adversity and persevere in the face of difficulty.

Creating Lasting Memories:

Rock climbing can be a shared experience for parents and children, creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds. The sense of accomplishment and shared joy of reaching the top together is something both parents and kids will cherish.

Getting Started with Rock Climbing:

If you’re interested in introducing your kids to rock climbing, here are a few tips:

  • Find a reputable climbing gym with qualified instructors.
  • Start with a beginner’s class or introductory session.
  • Ensure your child has proper safety gear, including a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes.
  • Be patient and encouraging, and let your child progress at their own pace.

Rock climbing is an activity that can benefit kids in many ways, both physically and emotionally. So why not give it a try and see if your child discovers a new passion for this exciting and rewarding sport?

High School / Collegiate Sporting Event

Take the kiddos to a college sporting event. What is your kid interested in? Inspire them by taking them to watch some athletes who have put in their dues! And high school games are a great place to run into old friends and engage with the local community. BONUS MOVE: Make it a date night with just one of your kids to make them feel extra special.

The Value of Fathers Taking Kids to a College Sporting Event

In today’s busy world, it’s more important than ever for fathers to make time for their kids.

  • Bond with your child. Shared experiences like cheering on a team together can create lasting memories and strengthen the father-child bond.
  • Teamwork sportsmanship. College athletes are great role models for young people. They can teach kids about the importance of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance.
  • Find new passions. Try our different events: Volleyball, Golf, Diving, Robotics, Pole Vault, Wrestling, Cheer, Equestrian, Tennis, Debate… When you’re child finds something they’re excited about, feed the excitement! Finding our passions is one of the best defenses against low self esteem and depression.
  • Experience the excitement and shared spirit. Team spirit is contagious and uplifting. When your kids hear the cheering crowd, they just might be inspired to do or be a part of something great.

Here are a few tips:

  • For younger kids: 
    • Don’t expect much. They might not be into it, so start with cheap or free high school events.
    • Be excited. Your excitement will fuel their interest.
    • Bring snacks in addition to what you might buy at the concession stand.
    • Bring noise makers or foam fingers – things that can keep their fidgety butts in the seat.
    • Let them see the players up close. Players often parade in from the bus or locker room. It’s a great opportunity for your kid to catch some high fives and see that there are real kids under those helmets. Seems silly, but that relatability really makes a difference in envisioning themselves out on the field one day.
  • For older kids: 
    • Bring a scorecard and binoculars – anything that helps them be engaged. Give lots of high-fives to them and the fans around you. The more they’re engaged, the more they’ll develop a vested interest in the team. The more they feel tied to the team, the more passion they’ll have. And with more passion, your kids will have a deeper sense of self and belonging.

Hulk Smash!

What’s inside? What is it made of? Kids are curious. Every question is an opportunity to learn something new, and the best way to retain that information is through a memorable experience. Grab a hammer and safety goggles and have fun exploring. Smash an apple, acorn, ice cube, a raw egg, a hard boiled egg, an unopened can of Coke, an opened can of Coke, an over-inflated balloon, an under-inflated balloon. Start with a hypothesis; “What do you think will happen”, run the test, make observations, talk about why. And remember – in an experiment, there is no incorrect hypothesis!

BONUS FUN: Have your kids stand on an empty Coke can. Does it hold their weight? What happens if you flick the side of the can while they stand on it? Spoiler: it crumples, so be sure they’re holding onto support or have a nice soft landing.

DADDIO LEVEL: Bring dry ice to the equation. Freeze a banana, gummy bear, slice of cheese… you get it.

Dad Level Slip N Slide

Get an epic slide and save a boatload of money by skipping the brand names and busting out a massive painters tarp instead. Wide enough for multiple sliders and long enough for super thrills – it’s all you need for super awesome fun. PRO TIP: Public parks will often have water sources and perfect grass hills. Scout it out in advance, bring a lightweight expandable hose (or two) and a pair of pliers (often the valve handle is not in place to prevent ‘tampering’. It’s possible your operation might get shut down, but in our experience, most officials are not keen to be a Debbie downer on kids having fun in a park. Just be respectful and try to avoid making a mud pit (limit water flow rate and move the slide a few times to mitigate the impact on the grass. Lastly, use Dawn, Myers, or Johnson & Johnson soap for extra slippiness without a big shock to the lawn (or eyes).

And don’t think there’s an age cutoff here. Just make it bigger.

Family Field Day Olympics

Dizzy bat, tug of war (with a baby pool in the middle), wheelbarrow relay (with an actual wheelbarrow and kids inside), 3-legged race, corn-hole, flip cup, “Tool Aid” pong, egg on a spoon relay, water balloon or egg distance toss, the floor is lava obstacle course… make a day of family fun at the park, compete against other families or poke that sibling rivalry stick, either way the grumbles from the kids about “making them do this” will quickly be replaced by big smiles and life long memories.

Fishing Rod Baseball

Not just for ‘the gram’, this is actually a pretty fun way to engage your kids over batting practice. Dangle a tennis ball off a fishing pole and let your kids send it down the street. Simply reel it back for more reps. Need to practice some sliders or curve balls? Just give it a little jiggle! Note, we recommend a good bass rod as opposed to a fly rod to minimize your effort on the reel. Oh and if you want to get real redneck, just use a sock to hold the tennis ball or baseball.

Water Rocket

Forget wimpy stomp rockets! Be the hit of the beach as you send this guy hundreds of feet in the air. It’s a great way for your child to meet other kids who will undoubtedly be drawn to the excitement.

Trick Shots

Just throw down a challenge like landing a hat on a post or ball in the hat, then see where your child’s creativity takes it. Maybe its rolling a ball down a magnatile ramp or catching a goldfish in your mouth. Or combine with other games like Go-Fish – before they can “go-fish”, they have to sink a trick shot.