GRISWOLDDAD
Parenting, Entertainment, and Travel Tips
Getting to Know Nature
Camping
I had a hard time explaining to my kids why this was fun. Leave the comfort of your home and all forms of entertainment to sleep in the woods. Then, I had a hard time understanding it myself! Finally, I was able to convince them, and we left all electronics out of it except a radio and had a blast. Ghost stories told and marshmallows cooked.
Hiking
We've hiked in multiple state parks, Yellowstone, Shenandoah, Great Smokey Mountains. Regardless of the scenery, my kids love getting out into nature and hiking (within reason on HOW far the hike is, mind you). They love listening for animals, looking for signs like tracks, and just experiencing nature! There was also this one time where...out in the middle of nowhere...a bathroom was needed. Leaves were used. I was told not to tell anyone, though ... so I can't name names.
Fishing
Certain things, a father and a son are supposed to do. Playing catch, learning to ride a bike, learning to shave...and fishing. I'm no fisherman myself, but it was fun spending the day together with my sons and all of us trying. We did catch & release, because I can't stand the taste of fish. Maybe I'm picky, but any dish that is best when it doesn't taste like itself, I can do without. Weirdly, that's always the selling point for good fish, "it doesn't taste fishy."
Here's the first catch:
Hunting
As with fishing, I'm no hunter and do not believe I want to try this one. I have nothing against hunting per se, just no interest. Plus anyone who has ever tried to convince me to eat deer has been wrong about it "tasting great." Nope. The next person always says the last deer I tried must have not been prepared correctly...with the same bad tasting results from that guy too! I give up. To each their own, but I like eating cows and watching Bambi. If my boys want to go hunting, they can go with their uncles. :)
Kayaking/Canoeing/Boating
This activity adapts to what you're looking for. It can be fun and adventurous in swift water. You can fish. Or, the one I like best, getting out on calm water can be so peaceful. It's also great exercise to paddle a kayak or a canoe, for the kid AND the adult.
