Mark LaMaster, author of Friday Nights for Father's and Sons, joined me in the studio and gave great perspective on how to engage with children on an exceptional level for both parent and child.

Here's some ideas for Father's Day that he provided as you plan for this special day:

17 Fun and Fresh Family Ideas for Father’s Day 2017

  1. Camp out in the backyard! Complete with a campfire, S’mores, and conversation. Wake up and cook a full breakfast over the campfire. Breakfast never tastes as good as sitting by a campfire.
  1. Take in a Honkers game. Popcorn, Peanuts, and a Pop, always go great together! Saturday, June 17, 7:05 pm vs. the Waterloo Bucks, at Mayo Field!
  1. Go Swimming!   Who doesn’t like to splash in the water and soak in the sun! Whether it be at the local or surrounding community swimming pools or the Rochester Family YMCA!
  1. Take a hike Dad!   Head out to Quarry Hill and hit the trails. You can geocache, bird watch, and take pictures of the picturesque scenery!
  1. Pick a park, pack a picnic, and play fun yard games. Frisbee, Kan Jam, Bags, Bocce Ball, Croquet, or the classic, “Kick the Can.”
  1. Make a “Top 10 List” or two! Mix up some old-fashioned lemonade. Grab a piece of paper or two, your smart phone, or even a napkin, a chair on your porch, balcony, or in your back yard, and explore your family’s thoughts and dreams by making a Top 10 List or two. Here are a few examples: Top 10 Vacation Ideas, Top 10 Family Memories, Top 10 Most Embarrassing Family Moments, Top 10 Things to Do as Family in 2017. Take some time to learn about your family’s dreams!
  1. Movie Marathon Day!   Summer is one of the best times to catch the blockbuster movies. Head to the movie theater and plan to catch at least two back-to-back movies. Go all out with that buttery popcorn, pop, and other family favorite treats.
  1. Host your own Family’s Funniest Home Video Night. Go through family photo albums and videos and reminisce about when your kids were younger! Create a list of awards and present at least one to each family member. You can make Paper Plate Awards to decorate each award! Have fun, be creative, and enjoy making memories together!
  1. Mystery Day Trip! Plan a mystery day trip for your family—give them only the date and time of departure. Have everything planned out so all they have to do is hop in the car! Keep the suspense going by taking an unusual route to keep them off guard.   Ideas include the SPAM Museum in Austin, Lanesboro Bike Trails, National Eagle Center in Wabasha, or wood-fired pizza at The Stone Barn in Nelson, Wisconsin.
  1. Volunteer as a Family! Whether it is serving at the Ronald McDonald House, the Channel One Food Center, or Salvation Army, you will help serve those who are going through a challenging season in their life.
  1. Teach your kids how to bake their favorite cookies, pie, or cake. Try cooking a new gourmet recipe or give them a lesson on how to become the next great grill master. Make sure to include your kids as you search the recipes, make the grocery list, and go to the grocery store.
  1. Help save the Monarchs! Pick up or order the necessary Monarch rearing supplies and help save the beautiful and majestic Monarch butterflies. You and your kids will be amazed at the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly and will learn about the amazing journey the Monarchs make to Mexico each year!
  1. Build a house!   You don’t have to be a pro to build something with your kids. (Trust me, I know!) Check out your local hobby shops, like Everything Hobby, or the kid project kids at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Here are a few ideas: bird house, bat house, bug house, butterfly house, or any other kind of house you and your kids can think of!   Make sure to personalize it with your family name!
  1. Fly a kite!   Pick up a kite or two at your favorite local hobby or game shop and head to your favorite park. Work together as a family to launch each kite. Don’t forget to take a few pictures or video.
  1. Family Game Night with a twist. Here are the instructions:
    1. Have each family member make a list of their favorite family board game, card game, or dice game.
    2. Have each family member make a list of their favorite snack.
    3. Write down each game and snack on a separate piece of paper and throw them into a game bucket and a snack bucket.
    4. Go to the store and get the snacks and prepare them if necessary.
    5. Then, set up each game in a separate room in your house.
    6. Next, take turns drawing one game and one snack from the hat.
    7. Each room will have a unique game/snack combo with all of your family’s favorites!
    8. Let the games begin!

16. “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” Plan an ice cream extravaganza.   Head to the store to get all of the fixins. Consider your making ice cream the old-fashioned way! You can order an ice cream maker.

17. Head to Barnes & Noble Apache Mall for a book signing and help support the Rochester Family YMCA! Mark LaMaster will be signing his book, Friday Night Lights for Fathers and Sons, from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, June 17! A percentage of all purchases at Barnes & Noble (coffee, music, books, games, puzzles, etc) will go toward supporting the Rochester Family YMCA!

(Can’t attend our Bookfair at Barnes & Noble? No problem.
Just visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online from June 17-23, 2017 by entering Bookfair ID: 12166468 at checkout. A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchase will benefit the Rochester Area Family YMCA.)

 

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