Last Minute Father's Day Idea from Younger Children

As I researched Pinterest this week for some backyard ideas and also a few photo prop ideas, I stumbled across the idea of an adventure box for Dad on www.howdoesshe.com.  Inside was just a few items to use your imagination to play with your son in the backyard or outdoors inside a nice treasure chest box. Check out her site for detailed information.
 
 So this sparked my idea to make adventure boxes from my son, who is 6, and daughter, who is 2 1/2, with some real activities. Since my husband needs a little help in the creative & planning department (given his little free time), I gave specific ideas on index cards! Some ideas were; biking on trails, fishing, geocaching, bird watching, canoe riding, archery, building kits, catch lightening bugs, camping in back yard, roasting hot dogs on the new fire pit, etc.. 

The boxes were not fancy, which is unusual for me to hold back, but I wanted the kids to say they are completly decorated by themselves. They had a blast drawing on these most of the morning.  Most items inside were no cost activities, but are guaranteed to give many lasting adventure memories.

 Items here (already from his room): Race Car kit (opened but not finished), Train Painting/building kit, a robotics kit (both from Christmas, and unopened), flashlights, glass jar with lid and holes, duck calls, fishing poles, tackle box, sleeping bag, a new tent (not pictured) for camping in the backyard on Saturday evening, Davey Crockett Hat, pirate treasure map, bucket, bungee cord, magnifying glass, air sky blades shooter and an envelope with tickets on Father's Day to the Naturals baseball game.

I researched the local Nature Center and printed out packets with maps and calender of events.  I also found a bird watching booklet, a trail guide and a fishing guide plus coloring books. The Janet Huckabee Center offers free tackle gear, hunting trails, a lake to fish for free, bicycle trails,  archery classes, summer fun camps, Arkansas river boat tours, camping tips and so much more.  Their site is www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com for those in the ft. smith, AR area.

In his eyes, this was the most amazing box ever. He was so proud of his drawings and ultimately proud of the things in the box representing lots of fun times with Dad ahead.  My son is a planner and he wakes up and goes to sleep worrying about what's coming next....especially if he doesn't know.  This will give him many planning projects to count down the days.

My camera battery died, so I have no more pics. My daughter's box was a smaller box with crazy marker artwork and multiple stickers.  Inside her we will put ideas on index cards and put items like; tea party set, bubble wand, kite, baby doll outfit, coloring book and a few other littles. She loves to go to the park so I will put those ideas on cards for her dad to read and plan a father/daughter play date.  

I hope this has helped you last minute gifters or those just simply on a tight budget, to prepare some memories for the Dad of your children at least it's sure to get you a little free time with one less child running around. Happy Father's Day to all the dads who want to be a role model for their children and play the most important role in their child's development and simply just being there for their child. Hats off to you!

Please feel free to write your thoughts here, I'd love to read them!