Tips, advice and little nuggets of dad knowledge I’ve picked up in the crazy world of being a parent.
I’d never claim to be an expert at being a dad (or at anything, for that matter) but every day’s a learning experience with our little boy Sonny and if anyone can take any useful tips or advice from the things we do together then great!
This Dad Knowledge section is all about the random things that happen to me as an out-of-depth dad and it’s also a place to record some of the memories and experiences I’ve shared with my little champ. From surviving Sonny’s first flight abroad to strapping him into a bike seat for the first time, and from making a mess of our first family picnic to our first dip in a swimming pool together, we’re learning every day!
Latest dad knowledge
- Why family adventures don’t have to be epic
You don’t need to plan a massive expedition or spend a fortune on getting your kids outside. Simply open your door and start exploring! …
- Why kids should spend an hour a day outside
I read a brilliant report the other day highlighting the many benefits of getting kids outside – like learning new skills, boosting confidence and making friends. Just an hour a day makes a huge difference!
- Family camping checklist – 18 essentials to pack
So you’ve decided to sleep in a tent with your kids (you must be crazy!), but what should be on your family camping checklist? Here are 18 gear essentials we recommend for every trip.
- How to turn your garden into mini a water park
It’s been another summer of heatwaves – and the best way to cool off with your kids is to turn your garden into a mini water park. Here’s how we did it…
- 8 tips for walking with babies and toddlers
So all of a sudden we’ve got two young kids, but it hasn’t stopped us getting outdoors as a family. Here are our top eight tips for walking with babies and toddlers – it’s tough, but not impossible!
- What’s the best age for children to play football?
Playing youth sports can be one of the best experiences of a child’s life. Football is the biggest and most popular sport in Britain – but what’s the best age to get started?
- How to go canoeing with toddlers
Canoeing with toddlers for the first time is daunting, but if you prepare properly, pick the right location and the right weather, it’s a wonderful family activity. Here’s how we do it…
- Goodbye terrible twos, hello Threenager
What. A. Year. Our awesome little boy Sonny has just turned three, and even after 36 months as a parent I’m still not sure how to start summing up what that means. What I do know for sure, though, is that it’s a never-ending bunch of contradictions and confusion.
- How to build an outdoor toddler playhouse
Summer’s almost here which means endless hours in the garden – so we’ve spent the past two weekends trying to build the very best outdoor toddler playhouse.
- Can you fit family adventures into working days?
Finding time to get outdoors as a family is tough when you work full-time, but that doesn’t mean weekday adventures are impossible. Here’s how we do it…
- Confession: getting kids outdoors can be a nightmare
Getting kids outdoors regularly is seriously hard work. Sometimes it takes hours just to leave the house, and even then your trip often decides into tantrum hell. So why do we do it to ourselves?
- Can you play footgolf with toddlers?
Footgolf is a cool new game that combines football and golf, and it’s great fun to play as a family. But is playing footgolf with toddlers a good idea?
- 10 autumn outdoor activities for toddlers
The days might be shorter and colder, but that shouldn’t stop you getting outside as a family. Here are 10 simple autumn outdoor activities for toddlers.
- How to grow your own sunflowers
I’ve always been an expert at killing every plant in our garden, but this summer we discovered how simple and fun it is to grow your own sunflowers as a family.
- Camping with toddlers – how scary is it?
Aside from having a kid in the first place, camping with toddlers is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. Here are some tips for surviving your first night under canvas!
- How do balance bikes work?
Balance bikes give kids confidence on two wheels, teach them to ride before the can pedal, and should eventually mean they don’t need stabilisers. But how do they actually work?
- Surviving two years as a dad: tired, proud, happier than ever
Somehow we’ve survived two years in the parenthood trenches. As hard as everyone said? Probably. Exhausting? Definitely. Enjoyable? Big-time. Would I change a single thing? Hell no!
- Why I love (and hate) taking my kid to the park
I have a love-hate relationship with taking my kid to the park. He loves it, but hates when he was to leave. I love it until I want to leave, which he hates. And then we usually end up hating each other all the way home. Get it?
- You’re never too old to play Pooh Sticks
All you need to play Pooh Sticks is a stream, a bridge and a couple of twigs. It’s a brilliantly daft game that’s great fun for kids and overly-competitive adults (I know this one because I am one).
- Calling all outdoorsy parents!
It’s no secret that in the UK we’re pretty rubbish at getting kids outside. And I had an interesting chat with an interesting bloke yesterday that make me realise I’d love to work with other outdoorsy parents to change that – who’s with me?