| Summer time is a time to get outside. But being | | | | Perseid meteor showers which will often come down |
| outside doesn't have to just be swimming and | | | | at a rate of 90 per hour. |
| barbecues. Here are some great outdoor project | | | | Nature Walks that are something moreWe are all |
| ideas that dads and kids will really enjoy. They involve | | | | familiar with the concept of a nature walk but you |
| things that move, learning about the world, or building | | | | can take it to another level by picking a specific |
| things. There is something suitable for every kind of | | | | theme and making your own guide as you take your |
| dad. | | | | walk. You make a guide by creating a book out of |
| Making Things that Go! | | | | your experience. You can take notes, draw pictures |
| Model Rockets - This is a relatively inexpensive | | | | and collect items for your book. Think of it as |
| hobby and you can usually get a complete start up | | | | something like Darwin did on his adventures. Here are |
| set for around thirty five dollars. The hobby is | | | | some specific subjects you could focus on during |
| composed of spending a few hours making rockets | | | | your nature walk: |
| out of cardboard and plastic tubes then taking them | | | | - Rocks and Minerals - Bring a field manual with you |
| outside and launching them. Kits are readily available | | | | and look for various types of mineral and rock |
| that have everything needed and the dual aspects of | | | | formations. Chip off samples for your collection. |
| making something then firing it off will appeal to | | | | - Bird watching - You can draw pictures of birds or |
| every type of dad and every type of child. | | | | even record their sounds |
| Kites - If something less involved (and less | | | | - Archaeology - Maybe there are some old sites not |
| expensive) is desired kite making and flying is a great | | | | far from where you live that you could dig. |
| alternative. There are plenty of websites that will | | | | - Animal Watching - Even in cities you will be |
| show you how to make a kit from scratch. Or you | | | | surprised by the wildlife you find. Make notes of |
| can spend a few dollars and purchase one. Once it is | | | | what types of animals you see and where you see |
| assembled it will provide many hours of outdoor fun - | | | | them. |
| until it gets stuck in a tree! | | | | - Cartography - Make maps of parks and walking |
| Remote Control Toys - A more complex build and | | | | paths much like a modern day Lewis and Clark |
| use project would be something in the remote | | | | - Treasure Hunting - Panning for gold is a fun |
| control genre. Just about everything imaginable is | | | | adventure even if you don't find any |
| now available as a remote control project. You can | | | | - Eco Systems - You can get a field manual and visit |
| build boats, airplanes, helicopters, or cars and then | | | | a particular type of eco system like a beach, |
| race them on the lake, driveway, or airways in the | | | | wetland, forest, marsh or desert. |
| neighborhood. This pursuit has some flexibility in that | | | | - Eco Awareness projects - You can use a nature |
| you can purchase the items completely assembled | | | | walk as a means of raising environmental issues. |
| and ready to use or you can buy kits and plans that | | | | Volunteering with a local clean up group is also a |
| will give you many hours of fun just building them | | | | great idea. |
| before you actually use them. | | | | Building Things |
| If you want to pull out all the stops you might want | | | | What Dad doesn't like to build things? Here are some |
| to consider making a go-kart. It could be either | | | | ideas ranging from easy to spectacular. Some easy |
| motorized or not. Now this would be a project that is | | | | indoor/outdoor projects include bird houses, bat |
| remembered for life. | | | | houses, and whirligigs. Something a little more |
| Learning and Science Projects | | | | challenging might be a lemonade stand, small |
| Summer time is a great time to get outdoors but | | | | greenhouse, or a small windmill. If you are looking for |
| how often do we think about getting outside at | | | | something spectacular you might want to think about |
| night? Astronomy and telescopes are an often | | | | building a fort, dollhouse or tree house! What Dad, or |
| overlooked pursuit that is quite rewarding. And you | | | | kid, wouldn't love a tree house! |
| really don't need a telescope. A pair of binoculars and | | | | Summertime is the time to get outdoors and it is also |
| a star chart will be more than sufficient. If you are | | | | a great time for dads and kids to do things together. |
| looking for something spectacular to watch in the | | | | These ideas are ways to turn an average Sunday of |
| night sky you might want to plan your adventure | | | | sitting around the barbecue into something |
| around August twelfth. This is the peak night for the | | | | extraordinary and memorable. |