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Now here’s a dad who gets it. A little clowning around with a camera, and now he’s got a memory to share. A lot of dad videos on YouTube have pratfalls and pranks…

These are great, though more of the kind of videos I’m looking for are random, spontaneous stuff… dad doing something funny while mom or someone grabs a camera to capture the moment. But I realize that life is what happens when you’re making other plans. 

So. If you’re a cool dad, a fun dad, or know one, and if you saw or created a great moment of laughing, happy kids, get the details written down and send it to us at dad@magicaldad.com. We will post the story and further the dream to create a free idea resource for dads everywhere. 

Also, if it’s possible to reproduce the idea, we’ll create a video, with full credit to the innovator. 

Inspiration for this came at a social networking event in Bellevue.

You know those mini sample size chocolates, Hershey’s, Krackel, Mr. Goodbar usually used for Hallowe’en candy?

Imagine this: you open a chocolate in front of your kids, eat it, flatten the little wrapper, hold it for a moment, blow on your hand– and the chocolate is back!

Here’s how: reaching into the bag of chocolates get two out of the same kind. Hide one in your palm, and keep the other at your fingertips. Open and eat the one they can see, flatten the wrapper… and the slide it into between the paper and foil wrappers. It will look as though the empty wrapper has magically re-filled with candy. This is easy as can be to repeat… so don’t worry if they ask you to do it again.

If they ask you to open the new one to prove it is real, just cleverly open it in such a way that the old wrapper is crumpled along with the new one. As you’re tearing the new one open, pinch the empty wrapper together with it. Simple.

Make every moment count!

Getting out on the trail? Here’s an idea or two to have some magical moments while you’re hoofing it. (Frankly, I think any dad that’s taking the kids on a day hike is already in Magical Dad territory. But it can’t hurt to have a surprise or two).

This is one a friend of mine taught me, and also once in Vegas I saw the brilliant comedy magician Mac King do onstage. Start with a narrow, medium sized rock (4-6 inches long) and put it in your pocket when they’re not looking. When you’re stopped for a water break, complain you’ve got a rock in your shoe. Stand at a 45 degree angle from them, and as you lean over to take off the shoe, steal the rock from the back pocket. Then with the rock hidden slide it down the rear of you legs to the edge of your shoe. Simultaneously, you are pulling your foot up out of the shoe. As your heel is up and lifting out, slip the rock in (it doesn’t need to be all the way in because of what happens next.) Next, simultaneously reach forward and pick up the shoe by the area in front of the laces, and move your foot away… tip the shoe so that the rock is hidden. Then shake, the rock falls out! Guaranteed laugh. This is perfect if your hike destination is a lake, because you can use it as a skipping stone.

Another idea: use acorn tops to make whistles. Holding the acorn with both thumbs across the opening, make a V shape: blow forcefully into this, chin against the knuckles, and you’ve got a whistle.

And be sure to stop along the trail. Are we on a deadline or there to enjoy nature? Look for animal prints. See how many varieties of leaves or seeds or cones you can find. Just make it a memory.

Sunny weekend here in Seattle… The kids are all out on their bikes in our neighborhood. One young neighbor seems like he’s living on his bike (better than in front of the tube!)
I was tempted to show him this great idea for making a motorcycle-like sound with his bicycle: I thought better of it seeing as he passes my house fifteen times a day.

You may already know an alternative method with a playing card or baseball card in the spokes, using a clothespin. Instead, try getting a balloon, one of the larger sizes, and fill it with a very small amount of air, to about baseball size. The excess size, uninflated will mean the rubber is more durable. Tie it to the strut on the non-chain side of the rear wheel so that it is free to flap against the spokes. As the bike is ridden it will make a very loud motorcycle sound. Best to do this for your nephews or nieces on a visit away from home…

A week ago my 3-year old daughter Caitlyn wanted some glue while drawing with crayons. At the dinner table, it wouldn’t have been a good idea to give it to her… given her history with maple syrup! She started to get frustrated: “Please daddy I want some GLUUUE!”

And this is where being a Magical Dad comes in handy.

I asked her, “How does a cow ask for glue?” She blinked, stared at me. I said, with my best bovine accent, “GLoooOOOO.” After the laugh, I asked her, “how does a cat ask for glue? Gl-eow.” And we carried on with giggles, continuing through a menagerie of animals: dog, bird, duck, horse, and cracking up as we went along. She forgot about what she wanted and it’s been a running joke for us ever since.

Wish I’d filmed it but life is what happens when you’re making other plans.