The Boy’s Almanac

I’m asked sometimes about where I get ideas to keep the kids happy since they’re not being occupied by conventional school during the day. My answer? Other moms! I love to read and hear about what other moms are doing to create opportunities for their kids to explore and learn in a fun, free spirited and exciting way.

Two mothers are authoring a blog called The Boy’s Almanac and I can’t stop reading it. The pictures alone are worth looking at but the idea of what they’re doing makes me all tingly and jittery, like I need to get up and do something equally awesome. These two moms have taken the American Boys Handy Book and turned it into a manual to teach their boys to explore the world around them.

They intend to work their way through the entire book in a year, working on each project and activity!

How cool is that!

Jason has kept himself busy several different times with activities from the Dangerous Book for Boys but I have to admit that the American Boys Handy Book is easier to use. It has more activities and fewer areas of general information. The book is also divided into sections by Season which makes it very easy to find things to do that are suitable for this time of year.

I am going to pull my Boys Handy Book off the shelf, dust it off and start getting the kids involved with some outdoor adventure. Tomorrow I think we’ll fly a kite or build one of our own or maybe we’ll go fishing using a bell pole.

The women at The Boy’s Almanac have a Flickr group where they share photos of their exciting adventures. I recommend checking out the Flickr group as well as buying either the Dangerous Book for Boys or the American Boy’s Handy Book and getting in on the adventure. You’re sons will thank you!

I found this book on Amazon. I think it would be a great alternative to the original Dangerous Book for Boys. It’s the same activities just pulled together without all the general trivia. It is the Pocket Dangerous Book for Boys: Things To Do.

Also on Amazon is The Daring Book for Girls ready to show your girl how to whistle with two fingers, use 5 karate moves, make a willow whistle, make a clubhouse, negotiate a salary and tie a bandana for starters.

I hope you find the time to take your kids outside and enjoy the adventure with them. Explore, discover and learn.