I've been wanting to add a family night that could be promoted or used as a Father/child evening.
Pretty much you set teams, like two kids and two dads (could be three). Give each group a set of pieces, such as wooden blocks, tape, stapler/staples, popsicle sticks, paper, cardboard, etc. Then you explain to them the mission. Here's some examples:
- A catapult. Show a ball (like a tennis ball) that will be used as the ammo. Explain that each team will have three attempts to launch it as far as possible.
- A rocket. Usuing a soda bottle and plastic, cardboard, hot glue, etc.; a warter rocket can be fabircated. Using low pressure air and fixturing that can be found online, the rocket can be pressurized and propelled. Distance can be tested.
- A bridge. Provide each team a wooden piece that has a "river" and require each team to use their material to build a bridge over the "water". Then use weights to see which team's bridge can handle the most weight.
Rube Goldberg Contraption. A Rube Goldberg is a series of things that start from one action and continues troggering nre effects. Similar to what you might see in an old Tom and Jerry cartoon. Let the kids trigger it and thn sit back and watch whether it works or not. The marble drops down the shoot knocking the dominos, which hits the race car that rolls across the table, which falls off the edge hitting a trigger that does something else. Have certain requirements, like at least three different transfers of energy. Have a finish line and possibly require at least one marble to cross.
These types of activities ore great for the dads as it incorporates building, logic, competitive spirit, math, and so much more.
Maybe even take a video of the winning contraption and put it up on the PTO website.
Hope this helps,
PresidentJim
