james smith Archives - SocialDad.ca

How to Make a DIY Mud Kitchen from Wooden Pallets

June 21, 2020

A Mud Kitchen is a play kitchen (like the Ikea ones) for outside, usually containing an area for sand and/or water for hours (hopefully) of tactile play. I used: 2 Wooden pallets (free) Tools (drill/screwdriver, saw, pencil) Paint/Latex primer Screws Here are the step-by-step easy instructions: 1. Find two standard-size pine wooden pallets. The better the condition, the better! 2. Cut one of the pallets along the horizontal strut. 3. Use wood glue and screws/nails to attach the two halves ...

Cars and Trucks

Everything We Know About the 2021 Ford Bronco

June 14, 2020

The Ford Bronco has been an icon for Americana, living wildly and adventure since the 1960s. Now, at long last, the beautiful icon is getting updated to cope with a new landscape. There have been many sneaked looks and rumours, including that there are 3 versions to suit a range of target ...

Dad-ing

Nominate a Top Dad Blogger for the 2020 Dad Blogger of The Year Award

May 26, 2020

It’s that time of year again, where we all get to nominate our favourite Dad Bloggers (Moms also welcome) to win the illustrious SocialDad.ca 2020 Dad Blogger of the Year award. Last year’s winner, Dale Allen Berg was even interviewed by the newspaper following his award! Just ...

Dad-ing

Learning to Ski on Cypress Mountain

December 30, 2019

I’ve always wanted to properly learn how to ski. The closest I ever got was going on a school trip to Austria but the slopes were icy, I was completely out of shape, and the bigger kids found it super funny to knock me over every chance they got. Skip 20 years (wow) and I’ve finally ...

Dad-ing

My Daughter Doesn’t Owe You a Hug

November 22, 2019

Ah, Christmas time, the season for the friends-of-family, neighbours, and that aunt who isn’t your real aunt, but a friend of your parents, you think. They all want to pop round after you guiltily include them in your festive gathering. It’s a time for being kind, relaxing (unless ...

Dad-ing

10 Tips for a Safe Halloween – including the Dad Tax rule

October 27, 2019

Halloween, the only time we actively encourage our kids to walk around at night, knock on random doors and accept candy from strangers. However, there are a few tips to make sure the kids stay safer than otherwise thought. Wear something reflective. Drivers can’t see you, especially if ...

Brand Love, Dad-ing, sponsored

Passing on My Love for Photography

July 30, 2019

One of my first memories of photography was when I was four or five and my parents gave me a red 35mm Kodak camera. It was a simple point-and-shoot but it was mine. It came in cool clear dome packaging and I couldn’t wait to start taking photos. A few years later, I was given a pinhole ...

Cars and Trucks, sponsored

Dad Test Drive: 2019 Ford Edge Titanium

July 5, 2019

An SUV with a firm grasp on performance, the Ford Edge has been carving out its own niche between the nippy Escape and the sturdy Explorer. I’ve been wanted to try the new Edge for a while, especially as a viable family car and replacement for my Ford Focus. As a Dad, my main criteria are ...

Dad-ing, sponsored

A Dad’s Guide to Tidying and Home Safety

June 24, 2019

One of the first things I discovered when I became a parent is that kids are curious about everything. Toys, cat food, my nose, and things that I thought I’d put safely away but hadn’t, like laundry detergent. I thought it might be useful if I shared a few very quick and simple tips that I’ve ...