More than five years into my gig as a parent, every day is still an incredible thing as my wife and I watch our girls learn and grow, while embracing both their creative side and thirst for adventure. We do a lot of arts and crafts here at Rock Father HQ, all of which reflect our girls' diverse interests. We've gone full-blown Royal, making countless Princess Wands and Tiaras... have gone to Outer Space with planets and spacecraft... have worked with wax, paper, felt, glue and a ton of glitter over the years. Last week, during one of our school-canceling "cold days" (not a "snow day," but a -40° windchill) my oldest and I dug into something new - an activity kit from Seedling, a New Zealand-based company that's just started hitting the U.S. in a big way after merging with P.S. XO in a move that brought Seedling Founder/CEO Phoebe Hayman together with partners Kara Nortman and Soleil Moon Frye (who I watched regularly as Punky Brewster when that show was new). Their toys and kits tap into something that I've discussed many times over the years - letting kids be kids, and letting them play with what they want and follow their own interests. The kit that Addie and I worked on played right into her heroic side... a chance to design her own superhero cape. While I was there for a little fine-tuning with the scissors and glue, she really didn't need me, as the outcome was all her.

A noble effort presented with flawed execution, UNPLUG & PLAY! 50 GAMES THAT DON'T NEED CHARGING is author Brad Berger's attempt at bringing friends and family together for some old-fashioned fun that's devoid of "screens." Released last year by Keller International Publishing (of which Berger is President), we've had a review copy floating around here for months, and my hesitation to write about it can be pointed toward the fact that it's just not that exciting or fun.

Summer is a prime time to unplug and let the imagination run wild, and with that, I'm always big on dress-up play. Right now (while supplies last) my affiliate, BuyCostumes has a crazy deal on a GREEN LANTERN costume - perfect for your little member of DC Comics' GREEN LANTERN CORPS. Want a full uniform for under $7 Bucks??! Yep, I said it was a "crazy" deal, and right now you can score a  $60 costume for $6.50.