In the world of computers, tablets and game consoles children are forgetting the true meaning of childhood. Every day the number of children playing in the street and parks is smaller and fathers don’t spend enough time with their kids anymore.
With Handy dad book you can change that and spend more quality time with your kid, Handy Dad: 25 Awesome Projects for Dads and Kids is a user-friendly compendium of construction projects that dads (or moms, uncles/aunts, grandparents or anyone else) can create to promote quality playtime activities with children. From a backyard rope swing, to a bird feeder, a tree house, a half-pipe or even a tie-dye shirt, the ideas range from toys that promote physical activity to delightful personal keepsakes. Older children can even participate in the joy of building something with one’s own hands, under close supervision of course. Each project listing spells out the needed tools and materials and where to find them, along with step-by-step instructions.
Todd Davis was born in Walnut Creek, California, grew up in Pleasanton, California and has resided in San Francisco for the last ten years. A former competitor on the World Freeride Tour, for both skiing and snowboarding, Todd is also an active stuntman for various movies and commercials. Clearly no stranger to risk taking and adventures. To relax he enjoys, jumping from planes and flying his wingsuit for as long as possible. Todd graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design in 1996. Mr.Davis is a California Licensed Landscape Architect #5577 and Licensed California Contractor who owns and runs “Epic Spaces” a dynamic design/build firm specializing in unique outdoor environments. Todd was the finalist on HGTV’s number one hit show “Design Star”, and has hosted other hit shows such as “Showdown”, and “Over Your Head”. Recently he has taken the time to write “Handy Dad” to share his enjoyment and his passion to design and build, really fun elements of play. Something he seams to understand very well,… we can’t imagine why? He is also a proud “Handy Dad” of two little, adventurous boys.
Busy dads can choose projects that range from simple to challenging and take anywhere from five minutes to a full weekend. Readers are given all the directions they need to grab materials that can be found around the house or at the local hardware store and get to work banging up a sweet BMX ramp or half-pipe, building a tree house or tire swing, or throwing together a slip-and-slide or tie-dye station for an afternoon of fun. With plenty of color photographs, easy-to-follow instructions, and detailed illustrations, Handy Dad is chock-full of creative and inexpensive ways to keep kids (and dads) entertained for hours.
Besides an invaluable resources page in the back of all sorts of online sources for materials and a section on knots, Davis divides his book into 3 convenient sections, based on how much time dad might have to devote to a project.
Section 1, Easy Projects includes Lava Lamps, Paper Airplanes, Water-Pressurized Rockets, and a Slip-n-Slide.
Section 2, Afternoon Projects includes Tie-Dye, Rope Swing, Lion-Mane Tire Swing, Slingshot, Water Balloon Launcher, Bird Feeder, Sand Candles, Angel Wings, and Climbing Wall.
Section 3, Weekend Projects includes Skate Longboard, Dollhouse, Treasure Chest, Bike Jump, Zip Line, Tree House, Stunt Dummy/Abominable Snowman, Light Box, Half-Pipe, Rope Bridge, Circus Tent, and Go-Cart.
Davis’ smart approach to building toys, bike ramps and skateboards makes being the family handyman child’s play. Handy Dad has tons of helpful pics, and the directions are thorough. The projects vary in complexity, but everyone should be able to do at least half of them. This book is useful for any dad with limited or no building experience. We highly recommend this book as a gift for dads and kids because it encourages both parents and kids to work together, to learn basics of woodworking and toy building but, most importantly, to spend quality time together.
