Dadvice Weekly #1 / Summer Victory Lap

Dadvice Weekly - #1

Summer's almost over. Can you feel it? The sun is starting to set earlier, backpacks and school supplies are starting to litter the kitchen table, back-to-school flyers are starting to gather on the fridge.

But there's still time for one last hurrah! One more backyard movie night, one more day trip with sticky fingers and sandy car seats, one more excuse to let the kids stay up past bedtime.

This week's picks are all about squeezing the last drops out of summer before the school-year grind kicks in. Ready to make these last few weeks count?

Let's dive in.

Reusable Water Balloons

We’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of these water balloons this summer. I was skeptical of the concept, but they work really well and are a lot of fun. They don’t leak! Just dunk them, toss them, and repeat. No bits of latex all over the yard or tying tiny knots with wet fingers. Our toddlers love the splash, and I love not having to prep balloons. They’ve survived being stepped on, chewed, and forgotten in the sun, still going strong. -KC

Milkshake Maker

Brooke and I got this exact milkshake maker off our wedding registry 8 years ago. It has fallen above the cut line for our cross country move from Dallas to Colorado and from our apartment to house in Colorado Springs. We still make milkshakes with it, and it continues to be a highlight for us, especially in the summer. This is a great way to get the family in the kitchen and reflect on your summer while drinking a shake. I have been using the ratio of 3:1 of ice cream to milk and bought some larger straws from Amazon. 10/10 recommend for making family memories around the kitchen. -SW

Bug Catcher Kit

Need a solid backyard or park activity? This bug catcher kit is a win. No setup, no instructions. Just hand it over and let the kids take the lead. Ours turned the yard into a “bug research station” for an entire afternoon. It’s one of those rare toys that sparks both imagination and solo play, and gives you a few quiet minutes to clean up or cook dinner in return. -KC

The Arthur Podcast

Our four-year-old is hooked. It’s the same Arthur vibe you remember, just in audio form. It’s great for winding down or surviving longer car rides without screens. The episodes are short (10-15 minutes) and surprisingly listenable for adults, too. Available on Spotify and most podcast apps, so it's easy to download and queue up before you hit the road. -KC

Just For Dad: Bluetooth Meat Thermometer

One of my favorite hobbies is to smoke meats. This summer alone I’ve done beer can chicken, brisket, ribs, fajitas, and wings. One of the most valuable items to own for smoking bigger cuts of meat is a Bluetooth meat thermometer. There are so many brands and styles on Amazon. I’ve been using this one for 5 years and it hasn’t failed me. It comes with a monitoring device, but more importantly a smart phone app so you can be unchained from the smoker on your Saturday. My opinion is to save some money and get the 2 probe option—one for the thickest part of the meat, and one to monitor your heat. -SW

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Dadvice Weekly is written by two friends in their thirties trying to be thoughtful, present dads without losing our minds. It’s our small way of sharing gear, routines, and ideas with other dads who are in the thick of it too.

We publish once a week. No fluff, just useful stuff to help you lead your home with a little more purpose and fun.

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