There’s no better way to bond with your son than letting them join in “man of the house” activities. From fixing a pipe to mowing the lawn, there are certain activities every dad should do with his son at least once.
However, other house tasks require professionals, such as waterproofing the house to ensure zero leaks and flooding. It also keeps molds away and increases indoor air quality. For these specialized tasks, men know better and call professional installers of spray foam insulation.
That said, here are man-of-the-house activities you should try out with your son:
Work on the Car
When it comes to resolving car issues or generally working on a car, not many men are familiar with it, even simple tasks such as changing a tire. Don’t let your son be one of these individuals and involve him in tasks regarding your car. Step up and prepare your son for proper car maintenance, safety, and general care.
Doing this can save your son countless money over the years and get him out of difficult situations, such as having a flat tire in the middle of nowhere or dealing with a dead battery in traffic. So, let your son watch as you change your car’s oil, fix, brake, or wash it. After all, making them used to this routine can help them go a long way.
Build a Workbench
Every boy should be given a chance to be acquainted with the different working tools, ranging from pliers to screwdrivers. The number of tools out there is nearly endless, but knowing the basic ones should be your priority since your son can use these in the future. Involve him in activities such as sawing wood, hammering nails, and removing bolts with a wrench.
This way, your son will be able to observe and eventually develop valuable skills that’ll last for a lifetime. Plus, having a workbench gives your son a chance to experiment, build, and craft with different tools.
Create Some Woodwork
Although not every father is a natural-born handyman, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn — and the same goes for your boys. It’s best to teach them how to use simple hardware tools to help your son become more capable in the future, and the perfect man-of-the-house activity for this is woodworking.
Woodwork can do wonders in developing kids’ creative and critical thinking skills, acting as a medium for children to express their creativity and imagination. Although your young son won’t be able to help you build elaborate pieces like a dresser, he should be able to help you in smaller projects such as crafting the following:
- Birdhouse
- Treasure chest
- Toolbox
When involving your son in woodworking, don’t let him learn by using “toy” tools, and use the real deal since they’ll likely exercise safety when using “actual” equipment. However, always keep an eye on them, especially when handling sharp tools like a hacksaw.
Try Grilling
Learning how to cook is one of the best things you can teach your son and, not to mention, one of the most fun! Doing the cooking with your son will help them learn valuable life skills such as eating healthy, budgeting, and cleaning — and there’s no better way to get your son into cooking than grilling.
From sweet barbecue pork ribs to juicy hot dogs, nothing tops a home-cooked meal off the grill. And when it comes to grilling, there’s plenty of things sons can learn from their dads, such as flipping and how to season. Overall, this is a man-of-the-house activity your son shouldn’t miss!
Do Yard Work
Although there’s nothing better than spending time with your son outdoors, it wouldn’t hurt to teach them yard work. Doing this allows him to learn more about work ethic and teamwork while getting some exercise and bonding time with you. It’s best to start your son off with safe tasks like weeding the grass or raking dead leaves, then move up to more complicated ones such as mowing or edging.
Although your son will likely complain initially, he’ll be proud of himself after he masters these outdoor tasks.
Fix Things
Like how your son should know about lawn and garden care, he should also be familiar with fixing a couple of important things around the house. These include things such as fixing a leaky pipe or repairing a broken vacuum cleaner. Generally, plumbing is an excellent place to begin since it doesn’t have as many hazards, like electricity.
Remember, anyone can become a good dad when things go smoothly. When you learn how to be patient and explore the fun yet valuable man-of-the-house activities mentioned — you’ll be able to teach your son a valuable lesson in no time. Even if the task doesn’t go well, the experience can become your son’s favorite story!