Having Fun with Dad

There are many activities a dad can do with their child, no matter the child's age. Often it is the simplest of ideas that generate the most fun and the best memories for dads and their children. Whether it is a backyard camp out, fossil find or a road trip with a newly licensed driver, fun with dad is more than a three letter word.

Preschool Children
Plan a fun and easy excursion. Have your preschooler help you pack a lunch, complete with drinks and snacks. Add some necessary equipment such as wipes, crayons, small notebook or loose papers, extra clothes, a sack for wet items and sandwich bags to hold treasures.

As you begin your adventure, hand your little one a baggie to save any found treasures. If public policy does not allow you to bring souvenirs home, use your crayons and paper to make an etching over the object.

Let your little one be the guide in this adventure. Your children will find the path to your inner child; all you have to do is let him out.

School Age Children
School age children are just as much fun to play with, or as they say "hang out" with, as younger children. You simply have to find out what they enjoy doing with their free time.

School age children often enjoy playing video games. So set aside a day for a tournament.

Whether planning a full day of gaming or just part of the day, make sure to include some fun food that is easy to prepare ahead of time. Make your meals easy to eat while playing games. Meals don't have to be junk food like donuts and pizza. For example, breakfast can be easily made the night before by scrambling some eggs along with precooked bacon or sausage, shredded cheese and taco sauce (sour cream or salsa optional). Place all the ingredients on a flour tortilla and roll up. The next morning you can simply heat them up in the microwave.

Whether you keep track of your game scores, wins and losses is up to you. But take time to capture the moments on camera and post the results on your family web page or social networking page. Your children will enjoy having the time to hang out with a cool dad.

Teenagers

Your newly licensed teenage driver will enjoy planning a one-day road trip with dad. Let your teen plan where you will go and let him or her do the driving. You'll be surprised by what your teenager will talk to you about now that he or she has witnessed your faith in his or her driving skills.