The Vault

What better way to spend family movie night than at a drive-in movie theater. Pack up the SUV, mini-van, or other vehicle with all the amenities. Tap into your resourceful side as That Dad and over-do it. If you are successful I guarantee two things will happen, your kids will be asking you when you can take them again and you will be making mental notes of the items you want to bring next time to make the experience even better.

This not intended to be used to teach your kids to ride a skateboard. The way you do that is go to the store and buy them one. They’ll figure it out. This is for you. I have found that an adult riding a skateboard moves at exactly the same speed as a toddler riding a bike. This means you can both experience the same level of challenge and enjoyment out of your ride together. Plus if this is your first time on a board, there’s value in them seeing that their Dad isn’t good at everything and he too, needs a little practice.

Another father-son activity that is romanticized in the movies (See: A River Runs Through It) that can be frustrating in real life. The above link is to a series of excellent tips to help teach your kids to fish. Remember if you’re just starting out with your kids, you will need to create some artificial anticipation. Make a competition out of who can catch the most fish, cast the farthest, or reel in their line the slowest.

It sounds like a rather simple adventure, but stopping off at your nearby municipal airport to watch planes take off and land can mesmerize any toddler. Stop in the terminal if they have one, and together you might discover huge aeronautical maps, aircraft models or even small museums dedicated to aviation history. Some airports even have elevated platforms with the perfect view of all the action and it’s all free. Look up your nearest city through the link above. Here's a tip, the airport's statistics are listed toward the bottom under aircraft operations. More than 200 flights per day will ensure you and your kids will get some good action on the runways.

Trust me. You will need this.

Because the disconnected finger trick is only going to get you so far.