Harrison Schenck

When I first started writing about fatherhood online, one of the most common concerns I got from other dads/parents was this:

"I just don't know what to do with my kids"

It was always surprising to hear, but it was common enough I started compiling this list and have been adding to it here and there. 

Hopefully it's useful, and hopefully you never run out of ways to spend time with your kids 👇

1. Camping: plan a weekend camping trip to explore the outdoors; teach them how to pitch a tent, build a campfire, tell stories, and enjoy the family time

2. Fishing: teach your kids the art of fishing (how to clean a fish etc), teach them patience at the same time

3. Woodworking: pick a DIY project to do together (birdhouse, toy car, whatever)

4. Sports: get outside and play a game of catch, basic rules of different sports

5. Car maintenance: teach the basics (change a tire, replace oil, keep it clean)

6. Grilling: teach proper heat, marinades and rubs, how to clean a grill

7. Martial arts: join a boxing or jiu jitsu gym together, or just punch a heavy bag

8. How to throw a punch: proper foot and shoulder position, how to guard your face

9. Gardening: plant a small garden together, learn how to care for & nurture plants, bonus points for learning about how plants grow

10. Astronomy: get outside and look at the stars, talk about the constellations

11. Biking: bonus points for teaching navigation (see below)

12. Home improvement: change lightbulbs, fix toilets together, etc

13. Chess: one of my favorites, teach strategy, thinking several moves ahead

14. Model building: build model cars/airplanes/trains, emphasize attention to detail

15. Growth in faith: practice your faith together, it’s a lifelong journey

16. Archery: kids love this, teach technique and safety

17. Rock climbing: builds strength, coordination, and trust (go to a gym if there are no rocks near you)

18. Metal detecting: more treasure hunting (bonus points for hiding treasure ahead of time)

19. Photography: teach composition, basics of different lenses

20. Emotional intelligence: how to understand and manage emotions, empathize with others

21. First aid basics: CPR, bandaging wounds, Heimlich meaneuver

22. Cooking essentials: teach basic healthy meals, kitchen safety, basic nutrition

23. Goal setting: create achievable goals, strategies to hit them

24. Public speaking: practice confidently & effectively speaking in front of the family

25. Manners: teach proper social behavior in your region

26. Networking: how to win friends and influence people

27. Basic sewing: how to patch clothes, sew a button

28. Decision-making: how to make a decision based on facts & assumptions

29. Digital literacy: online safety, basic excel skills

30. Negotiation: learn leverage, create win-wins

31. Laundry & clothing care: washing/folding/stain removal/color preservation

32. Home security: secure your living space together

33. Environmental stewardship: leave spaces cleaner than you found them

34. Travel: basic planning, how to create itineraries, how to pack

35. Map reading: kids love maps, teach how to interpret them for navigation

36. Electrical skills: safety and handling minor issues (circuit breaker etc)

37. Reading comprehension: analyze and critically evaluate written material. http://sherwoodkids.com has thousands of books/audiobooks to start with

38. Time management: prioritize tasks, set deadlines, avoid procrastination

39. Job interview skills: do mock interviews together, give feedback

40. Resume writing: write mock resumes together

41. Self-reflection: learn personal strengths and weaknesses

42. Work ethic: teach dedication, punctuality, dependability, thoroughness

43. Bike maintenance: how to fix a tire, adjust brakes, etc

44. Volunteering: pick a cause they care about, do it together

45. Art appreciation: visit a museum and talk about the pieces

46. Resourcefulness: thinking outside the box

47. Personal safety: how to avoid dangerous situations

48. Conflict de-escalation: techniques to defuse tense situations

49. Posture: stand up straight, shoulders back, eyes forward

50. Study habits: learn how to learn

51. Organization: how to maintain a clean, organized living space

52. Public transportation: how to read schedules and maps

53. Swimming: non-negotiable, the sooner the better

54. Musical instruments: pick one he likes, learn together

55. Memory techniques: read "Moonwalking with Einstein" together

56. Sportsmanship: how to act when you win and when you lose

57. Basic plumbing: how to unclog a sink/toilet

58. Writing: practice together

59. Typing: do family speed contests online

60. Firearm use and safety: safe handling and maintenance

61. Fire safety: teach how to prevent fires, and how to respond in case of a fire

62. Assertiveness: closed mouths don't get fed

63. Budgeting: create and manage a personal budget

64. Pet care: feeding/walking/etc

65. Weather: learn how weather works, prepare for severe weather together

66. Personal branding: teach the importance of maintaining a positive personal image

67. Sleep hygiene: develop healthy habits early

68. Mentorship: teach the value of guidance from people w/experience

69. Body language: how to interpret non-verbal cues

70. Basic nutrition: macro nutrients, calories, metabolism

71. Patience: practice real examples of delayed gratification

72. Gratitude: verbalize gratitude together daily

73. Presentation skills: assign a topic and present

74. Storytelling: how to be captivating, how to keep attention

75. Ice-skating: because why not

76. Giving feedback: learn how others are individually receptive to feedback

77. Receiving feedback: accept critiques gratefully, while considering the source

78. Computer maintenance: troubleshoot common computer issues together

79. Poker: reading other people, probabilities, avoiding tells

80. How to set boundaries: assertively and empathetically

81. Theater: go to plays together

82. Time alone: learn to be content by yourself

83. Drawing: practice together

84. History analysis: remember, it's always written by the winners

85. Human nature: people are predictable, human nature never changes

86. Active listening: how to be attentive and show you're listening

87. Sartorialism: how to dress for different outcomes and situations

88. Morning routine: develop one and practice it together

89. How to host: the art of hospitality

90. How to be a guest: the art of graciousness

91. Build a library: let kids pick books and add to family library (we have thousands of books to start with on our streaming platform http://sherwoodkids.com)

92. Foreign language: learn one together

93. Chivalry and respect: treat others with timeless kindness

94. Calligraphy: practice various styles and techniques together

95. Speed reading: read Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter Kump

96. Writing thank you notes: what to include, when to send

97. Basic weightlifting: start with pullups/pushups

98. Hill sprints: race each other, one day your kids will win

99. Bushcraft: build shelter and survive using the nature around you

100. Family tree: map yours together

101. How to tip servers: amount, when to do it

The most important part of this list:

It ensures you spend TIME together

It's too easy for parents to just plop kids in front of YouTube and outsource their teaching to big tech/big media

One of my favorite ways to spend time with my kids is on http://sherwoodkids.com

Sherwood has thousands of books, audio stories, videos, shows, &amp; podcasts...

With none of the adult themes &amp; agendas that infect kids' media everywhere else. 

Try it free TODAY by clicking here: