CONNECTING WITH YOUR KIDS MEANS FINDING A HOBBY YOU ALL ENJOY

Connecting with your kids is important, and it’s more important than ever in the age of social media that we maintain that strong relationship. It might feel difficult sometimes, but be assured that if you put in the effort, you are going to be able to see success. Here are some of the hobbies that you can try to create bonding opportunities with your kids:

Look Into Sports

If you and your children enjoy being athletic then you should look into doing some sports as a family. There are many things you can do from martial arts to adventure sports. Finding something you all enjoy doing will be the hardest part of engaging in a sport together. One of you might want to do swimming while another wants to play basketball. An easy way to resolve this is to do both or all of the sports that has been recommended. If there is a clash in days then you could alternate different weeks to keep everyone happy. Family sports keeps everyone engaged and is a great bonding experience for you all. 

Get Creative 

If you are wanting to find a hobby that involves getting dirty while having a fun time then how about putting your creative hat on. Children love creating things with stickers, glue, paint and glitter. Parents aren’t usually too keen but there are always other alternatives when it comes to creative hobbies. You could even join a pottery class so you can all attend and make something to be proud of. Whatever you make can be displayed in your home for all to see. This will create lasting memories for all of you and you can look back on it over time. But creativity doesn’t always mean getting dirty, and you can still create something too. Think of music, for instance, it’s honestly the perfect example of this. All they need is a musical instrument they love (and you too), a reliable sheet music site for good tunes, and just some time to learn to play music together!

On The Geekier Side 

The final idea is that you can try looking into the geekier side of things. As a geek daddy, I think it’s important to consider some of the geekier side of things, and that includes things like collecting funko pops. You can also sell funko pops if you have ones that you no longer like or want in the home. Then there are things like comic books, movies based on comic books, action figures, books and so much more. The point is that these are the kinds of things that a lot of kids enjoy, so this might be something worth taking a look into. 

It’s important that you are doing everything in your power to keep your connection with your kids as strong as it possibly can be. Participating in a hobby together is a great way to spend quality time with kids. Good luck in finding that special activity that is the best fit for your family.  Now have at least a few ideas to get started.

FOUR HOBBIES TO CONSIDER IF YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME

When most people think about hobbies, the first things that come to mind are usually sports or activities that take place outdoors. While those can be great pastimes, they're not the only options available to you. If you're looking for something new to try, or if you just have some free time and don't know what to do with it, consider these four hobbies: collecting, learning a language, fixing old cars, and gardening. 

Collecting 

There are many different things that you can collect, from stamps to coins to antiques. It's an excellent hobby for people who like to find bargains and who enjoy learning about new things. Plus, it can be quite lucrative if you find the right items. 

If you're thinking about starting a collection, do some research first to find out what kinds of things are valuable and what isn't. You don't want to waste your time and money on something that isn't going to be worth anything in the end. There are also many online communities devoted to collectors where you can learn more about the hobby and meet other like-minded people. 

Learning a Language 

With the rise of the internet, it's easier than ever to learn a new language. There are many different resources available, from online courses to apps to native speakers who are willing to help you practice.

Learning a new language can be difficult, but it's also very rewarding. It can open up new opportunities for travel and work, and it's a great way to connect with people from other cultures. If you're feeling stuck in a rut, learning a new language can give you a whole new perspective on life. 

Fixing Old Cars 

This hobby is great for people who are mechanically inclined and who enjoy working with their hands. It can be a lot of work, but it's also very satisfying to see an old car that you've restored to its former glory. 

There are many different ways to get started with this hobby, from taking classes at a local community college to joining a car club. Of course, you'll need to invest some time and money into Ford car parts and other things, but if you're patient, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Old cars can be found for relatively low prices, so you don't have to spend a lot of money to get started. Just make sure that you do your research before you buy anything so that you know what you're getting yourself into. 

Gardening 

Gardening is an excellent hobby for people who enjoy being outdoors and who like to see things grow. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, and it's a great way to get some exercise. 

If you're thinking about starting a garden, the first thing you need to do is decide what kind of plants you want to grow. Next, do some research on which ones are best for your climate and soil type. Once you've decided, get started by planting some seeds or buying some young plants. Gardening can be a lot of work, but it's also very gratifying to see your efforts pay off. 

These are just four of the many different hobbies that you can consider if you have some free time. Of course, there's no wrong way to spend your leisure time, so find something that you enjoy and stick with it. Who knows, you might just find a new passion that you never knew you had.

FOUR SUPERB BENEFITS OF SHARING HOBBIES WITH YOUR KID

From sports to collectibles to video games and beyond, there is an unlimited number of hobbies that you can choose from. As a parent, you also want to encourage your child to show an interest in the things you love, but this isn’t always easy. Some kids may not care about what you love, or they’d much rather hang out with friends or spend an evening in front of the TV. While this is understandable, it also means you’re both missing out on something special. So, what are the benefits of sharing hobbies with your kids? 

You Can Build a Bond

Building a strong bond between you and your child is something any parent dreams of achieving. In most cases, the bond is already there, but if you want to make more memories, sharing hobbies is a great solution. As much as family dinners or car rides to school will stick with them, the experiences they have with you when they score their first goal or win their first online game are even better, and you’ll be there for every success, so they know you've always supported them. 

You Can Meet New People Together 

 Meeting new people can be tricky as an adult, and if your child has struggled to make friends at school or around the neighborhood, a shared hobby can expand both of your circles. Wherever you go, a local club or activity gives you the chance to get to know someone different, or even build a friendship with someone who was previously a peripheral figure in your life. This is also great for teaching your child vital social skills and can help them get out of the house more and build friendships with kids their age. 

You Can Explore Something New 

There are so many hobbies to choose from that it can feel overwhelming. While most people are drawn to traditional hobbies like sports, others may prefer to look further afield. There are still a lot of hobbies you can get into, such as scale models, trading cards, or mini model painting. You don’t even need to commit to a specific hobby right now. Instead, try a few hobbies together and see which one you enjoy the most. 

It Can Build Their Confidence 

Confidence can be tricky for kids at any age, which is why trying new hobbies can be such a significant factor in their life. If your child is naturally shy, they may need evidence that they are more capable than they assume, so helping them improve their skills through different sports (such as boxing or MMA) or music will help them feel better about themselves. Once they master their skills, they will never worry about not being good enough ever again. 

Getting On Your Hobby Horse 

Sharing hobbies with your child brings plenty of benefits to your home and will do wonders for your relationship. They will learn an array of skills and even build other friendships that will stay with them forever. If you want to make the most of your child’s childhood, introducing them to your favorite hobbies is an excellent place to start.

Post Office Releasing Classic Pickup Truck Stamps

I've always found classic pickup trucks to be pretty darn cool and it has been an aspiration of mine for quite awhile to restore one to cruise around in.  So when the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced a set of pickup truck stamps that they will be releasing later this year the news caught my attention.  Drawn by illustrator Chris Lyons, who has also done artwork for Road & Track, Sports Illustrated, Forbes and numerous other newspapers and magazines, these four Forever stamps, which means they will always be worth the current U.S. Postal Service's First Class Mail one-ounce rate, will be bundled together in a twenty pack that will contain five of each one.  The four pickups being featured on these stamps are a 1938 International Harvester D-2, 1948 Ford F-1, 1953 Chevrolet and a 1965 Ford F-100.

1938 International Harvester D-2 had a distinct barrel-shaped grille, and its elegant styling mirrored the look of luxury automobiles of the era. © 2016 USPS

This 1948 Ford F-1 included features like the roomy “Million Dollar Cab,” a sharp horizontal five-bar grille and a six cylinder engine. © 2016 USPS

The 1953 Chevrolet featured large windshields and provided drivers with excellent visibility, a distinctive curvy grille that bulged in the middle and a six-cylinder engine. © 2016 USPS

The 1965 Ford F-100 had a new grille that featured 18 small rectangular openings. It also featured “Twin-I-Beam” independent front suspension, greatly improving the quality of the ride. © 2016 USPS

Whether you want your mail to stand out to your recipients or are a hobbyist interested in adding these to a collection it would well be worth a trip to your local post office to pick up a bundle of these sharp looking classic pickup stamps.  My favorite is the Ford F-1 with its five-bar grille and overall old-fashioned look to a frame that isn't ritzy but would stand out and turn heads wherever it may go.  Which of these four classics is your favorite?

These pickups bring to mind that stamp collecting can be an affordable and fun hobby for children that can interest them in topics such as art, geography, history and science.  Kids can collect unique stamps issued by countries from across the world giving them insights into the various regions of our planet.  Or they can stick closer to home and collect ones that interest them issued by our own Postal Service. A few of the stamp sets being released in 2016 by the USPS that may interest and inspire children include Botanical Art, Black Heritage: Richard Allen, Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Monkey, 200th Anniversary of Indiana Statehood, The Moon, Repeal of the the Stamp Act 1766, and View of Our Planets, among others.  Plus there is an impressive Star Trek collection being produced this year that will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the franchise's original television show.

For those families that have an interest in having children cultivate a stamp collection, the American Philatelic Society has a Young Stamp Collectors of America (YSCA) club for youth under the age of 18.  An annual membership costs $10 for one child or families with multiple children who want to participate can purchase a household membership for $15.  Membership includes:

• YSCA eNewsletter - A colorful e-newsletter is sent quarterly filled with articles, how-to's, collecting basics, activities, stamp offers, and more.

• On-line Monthly Meetings - Chat with fellow members from many areas of the United States.

• Official Meetings - Two live meetings are held annually at American Philatelic Society stamp shows.

• YSCA Members Only Area - YSCA members can log-in and view special messages, archives of past eNewsletters, collecting tips, and more.

• Pen Pal Services - YSCA members can become friends with other members in the United States or from  around the world. Trade stamps or just write to learn more about someone else's stamp collecting interests.

• Treasure Package - New members receive a treasure package which includes a first day cover, packet of stamps, collecting information, and special offers. Each child in a household membership gets a Treasure Package.  These are only provided the first year a child joins the YSCA.

For more information about Young Stamp Collectors of America, visit  Stamps.org/YSCA

The American Philatelic Society, which is the largest nonprofit foundation of philately (study of stamps and postal history) with almost 44,000 members from 110 countries, also has FREE resources to encourage youth stamp collecting including activities, games, fun facts, and collecting tips.  Visit Stamps.org/Young-Philatelists to check out what they have to offer.