What do you know about Matthew McConaughey? We all know the Dazed and Confused line “Alright, alright, alright” by now. You’re probably familiar with his weirdly serene Lincoln commercial. You might have a partner who waxes poetic about his abs. If you have a particularly great memory, you might recall the infamous “naked bongo drum” incident. But… do you really know McConaughey? Do you know what he believes in and what he stands for? He obviously has a “cool” vibe — and reading through some of the best Matthew McConaughey quotes, it seems clear this proud Texan is genuinely chill.

Bottom line? He’s more than just the caricature of a laid-back guy he’s been sketched out to be. He’s an impressively hard worker and notoriously thoughtful about the roles he takes. McConaughey isn’t his left-behind stoner character, Dazed’s Wooderson, or the guy who hooked up with J.Lo in The Wedding Planner. These quotes are, quite honestly, a wild and inspiring ride that offers more than just proof of who McConaughey is — they also offer some great advice for living your best life (as cliche as that may sound).

1 “I don’t want to just revolve. I want to evolve. As a man, as a human, as a father, as a lover.”

2. “If I’m doing something, I do like to take it to the limit. I’ve got a high ceiling. A wide threshold for seeing what those boundaries are for myself. I’m very resilient inside. I find things that I like and do, and boy, I do like to stick to them.”

3. “The good part about jealousy is that it comes from passion. It’s also the dangerous part, and it’s an ugly emotion that hurts.”

4. “Life is not fair. It never was, and it isn’t now, and it won’t ever be. Do not fall into the trap — the entitlement trap of feeling like you’re a victim. You are not.”

5. “Every hero doesn’t do this great big hero thing. They do the simple thing over and over… and they stick to it.”

6. “My life is a road, man. I need to keep moving.”

7. “Now, you lose something in your life. And there’s gonna come a time that you’re gonna know: There was a reason for that. And at the end of your life, all the things you thought were periods, they turn out to be commas. There was never a full stop to any of it.”

8. “I believe in living in the present and making each day count. I don’t pay much attention to the past or the future.”

9. “I’m a fan of the word selfish. Self. Ish. When I say I have gotten a lot more self-ish, I mean I am less concerned with what people think of me. I’m not worried about how I’m perceived. Selfish has always gotten a bad rap. You should do for you.”

10. “Life’s barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.”

11. “The first step that leads to our identity in life is usually not ‘I know who I am,’ but rather ‘I know who I am not’ process of elimination.”

12. “The best advice comes from people who don’t give advice.”

13. “The best education I’ve had in my life is to travel.”

14. “I’ve never been a jealous person, and I’ve never felt built up by someone else’s failure — that’s a cheap thrill.”

15. “It’s a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates.”

16. “There’s two sorts of fear: one you embrace and one you should listen to and turn the other way.”

17. “We dissect failure a lot more than we dissect success.”

18. “Instead of denying these fears, declare them, say them out loud, admit them, give them the credit they deserve. Find the courage to overcome them.”

19. “My rule is to break one sweat a day.”

20. “Just because you can? Nah, it’s not a good enough reason to do something. Even when it means having more, be discerning, choose it, because you want it; do it because you want to.”

21. “We have a big appetite for putting people down, but at the heart of everyone, there’s enough room for all of us to succeed.”

Arts and crafts time is hard, man. You’re probably not feeling the construction paper. Coloring pages might not be your thing either (except for the Baby Yoda coloring book, right?). And don’t worry; no adult likes glitter. So, when you’re stuck trying to appease the small humans in your household with arts and crafts time, what can you do? Look no further than your garage, toolbox, or junk drawer. Duct tape is the answer, friend. Always has been. Always will be.

Duct tape has been around for almost a century now and has served many important purposes. Its original purpose? Duct tape was invented to help package and ship ammunition to the soldiers on the frontline during World War II. Soldiers then used it to do everything from creating makeshift bandages to repairing broken windows and tents. Post-war, it primarily became used on ventilation ducts (hence the name duct tape).

Ironically, despite serving HVAC specialists for decades, a study in the ’90s found that duct tape was actually one of the worst possible options for fixing heating and cooling ducts. Due to its low performance, it’s actually against building code in many parts of the country. Still. You’re not a true DIYer until you’ve slapped some duct tape onto a problem. Besides, duct tape went on to do other big things, too. It served another government agency after the war when it started flying aboard NASA space shuttles. As a matter of fact, duct tape saved the astronauts on the Apollo 13 space mission when they used it to create air filtration canisters in the lunar module.

So, what is duct tape? It’s actually made from layers of adhesive, fabric, and a plastic-like material. The combo makes the tape waterproof, just like a duck’s feathers — which explains why businessman Jack Kahl created a branded duct tape in 1980 under the now eponymous “Duck Tape” banner. Around that same time, the brand became the first to offer duct tape in colors other than the standard silver. From flower power patterns to mustachioed strips, duct tape now comes in bold colors and patterns for everyone’s enjoyment.

What can you do with the tape once you have it in your possession? As it turns out, quite a lot. Below you’ll find some of our favorite duct tape crafts that prove just as useful as they are fun. Grab your scissors, tape, and tiny craft-loving humans, and let’s get duct-taping.

1. Duct Tape Wallet

Duct tape wallets were the original duct tape crafts. Believe it or not, people actually pay to buy these simple accessories from other people. But if you spend all your money buying a wallet, what will you keep inside? Make your own, dude.

2. Tri-Fold Wallet

Same concept, different design. If you like a thicker wallet, the tri-fold pattern is more your speed. These instructions make it look super easy… because it is.

3. Duct Tape Folder

If you’re looking for a duct tape craft that your kid might actually use every day, look no further than a duct tape folder. The fact that this one has an old-school Mario mushroom on the cover is just icing on the cake.

4. Duct Tape Rose

Forget your anniversary? Ransack the basement or garage for your handy-dandy roll of duct tape, and don’t reenter the house until you’ve crafted your partner a dozen duct tape roses. Bonus points if you get super meta about it and make your roses out of rose-patterned tape.

5. Duct Tape Hammock

The duct tape hammock is basically guaranteed to make your yard more fun — the kids will definitely be stoked to have this relaxing hangout spot. Bonus: Everyone who comes to your backyard BBQs will be wildly impressed with your skills.

6. DIY Duct Tape Batman Mask

Whether you’re ready to live out your dream of being BatDad or you want to get a headstart (literally) on Halloween costumes, you can’t go wrong with a duct tape bat mask.

7. Ninja Star Made of Duct Tape

Yes, we’re suggesting you help your kid create a DIY ninja star during craft time. But listen, it’s just tape. Having said that, gently reminding your kids that you should never throw ninja stars of any kind at someone’s face probably isn’t a bad idea.

8. Duct Tape Phone Case

Would we trust this phone case on our brand new iPhone 12? Negatory. But we’d absolutely give it a whirl on the SE.

9. Zig Zag Duct Tape Bracelet

If your little accessory-obsessed kid seems leery of duct tape-themed arts and crafts time, we have just the thing to lure them in. These duct tape zig zag bracelets follow the same idea as the gum wrapper bracelets. Except, ya know, they’re made from duct tape. If hats are more your kid’s speed (or yours), you could always try making a duct tape fedora.

10. Duct Tape and Cardboard Flip-Flops

You know… in case you get truly desperate.

Now that we’re entering the eleventeenth month of social distancing and pandemic life, we’ve all become pretty adept at finding ways to fight off boredom. Building elaborate LEGO sets? Done it. Channeling our inner David Copperfield by learning magic tricks? Yep, that too. And thanks to the popularity of TikTok, we’ve all witnessed the rise of many new social-media-born trends over the past year. Interestingly, though, one of those social-media-born trends isn’t new at all: the decades-old Mentos and Coke experiment. It’s true — all over the internet, you can find kids and their parents recreating the same experiment that’s been done thousands of times before. By dropping some Mentos into a 2-liter of Coke, they create a man-made geyser of epic proportions.

It’s not as basic as it seems, though. There are so many variations and riffs on the experiment now. From using different kinds of carbonated drinks to different sized bottles and even trying the other Mentos flavors, there are plenty of ways to give the experiment your own spin. Why does it work? Which gives the ultimate “explosion”? And what other factors can take the experiment to new heights?

We have all the answers (and then some). So, strap on some safety goggles and show your little science nerds how it’s done. As we walk you through all the basics, be sure to watch the videos of some different takes on the experiment!

The History Behind the Experiment

The Mentos and Coke challenge didn’t even start with Mentos. In the ’80s, budding scientists would thread the Wint-O-Green Life Savers onto a pipe cleaner and then drop them into bottles of soda to create geysers. It was a popular experiment in science classes across America. And then the ’90s happened. The manufacturer of Life Savers changed their sizing, and the candies would no longer fit through the mouth of a 2-liter bottle. Never ones to accept defeat, scientists set out to find new ways to make geysers. They found their answer in mint Mentos. And the rest is history… but, also the present.

Chemical or Physical Reaction?

While many people incorrectly claim that a chemical reaction causes the minty-soda geyser, they aren’t entirely in the right. In actuality, the answer is a bit more complicated. Scientific American explains that it’s more of a physical reaction. The reaction comes from the microscopic bumps on the candy disturbing the carbon dioxide in the Coca-Cola, causing it to release the epic burst of fizziness. Diet Coke has historically created the biggest burst because it has the most CO2. It’s all aided by the shape of the bottle. Don’t quite understand? Honestly, that’s okay. We’re all here for the geyser, not the science.

Variables to Consider

As we mentioned above, Diet Coke and Mentos create the biggest geyser. However, there are plenty of other things to try. Just because we know Diet Coke will create the biggest geyser, it doesn’t mean we can’t still experiment with other soft drinks. Using the various fruity flavors of Fanta may not create giant pop volcanos, but they will produce wildly colorful ones. 

Another interesting variable to consider is altitude. Depending on where you sit above or below sea level can also impact the height of your geyser. Live near the mountains in Tennessee or Colorado, for instance? See how the experiment’s results change when you do them at the top of the mountain versus when you do it at the base.

What other ways can you alter this experiment?

Sure, the shape on the 2-liter definitely plays a big part in your geyser-making. However, it does not have to be a constant or control. How can using different shapes bottles or containers affect the outcome?

How to Perform the Experiment

Supplies you need:

• Mentos
• Diet Coke
• Safety goggles

Supplies to consider:

• More Mentos
• Other pop flavors
• Painter’s tape
• Tape measure
• Different sized vessels

How to:

Your best bet is to set up your experiment outside and in front of a wall or garage door. You can use your tape measure and painter’s tape to measure off 1- to 2-foot markings on the wall or door. Definitely mark measurements all the way up as high as you can reach.

Sit your 2-liter of Diet Coke close to the measurements, don your goggles, drop a few Mentos into the bottle, and run. Use the highest wet mark on the wall to measure the results. (If it didn’t splash on the wall, consider yourself lucky and use your kids’ best guess as to how high it reaches.) You could also set up your phone to video the drop and help keep accurate records — just keep it back far enough that it can catch the whole wall. Consider using another piece of painter’s tape to mark the Diet Coke’s peak splash.

Repeat the experiment with different types of soda or different vessels, continuing to record your results. Because, really, what else do we have to do right now? Plus, as ways to kill time go, this one’s pretty cool. 

Can you think of a medieval contraption that fascinates the young brain more than a catapult? Yeah, we can’t either. Remember in the 1988 cult classic Willow when Madmartigan uses one to fling himself onto the back of a troll and save our hero? Epic. Our obsession with catapults has been building since that formative scene took root in our early adolescent memories. It seems like an organic progression that here were are, as adults, Googling “how to build a catapult” so we can teach our kids. Or, you know, at least that’s the way we’re rationalizing our compulsion to send things flying through the air.

As luck would have it, building a catapult isn’t nearly as complicated as you might think. Granted, we’re not talking about building one elaborate enough to launch yourself over castle walls during the Battle of Nockmaar, like Willow and co. But making a basic catapult is a fun and relatively easy DIY afternoon craft to do with your little Daikinis.

With that said, here are the basics of how to build a catapult — and different variations you can make.

How To Build A Catapult: Supplies

Your materials list will vary based on what type of catapult you want to create. Plus, part of the fun of building a catapult at home is using found objects around the house. The more creative, the better! Got a bunch of random LEGOs haunting your every late-night step? See if you can put them to better use. Do you keep finding arms popped off of action figures? There’s gotta be a way to incorporate those errant limbs. So, this list isn’t exhaustive, but it should get you going:

• Rubber bands
• Plastic cutlery
• Popsicle/craft sticks
• Straws
• Paper clips
• Clothespins
• Chopsticks
• Paper or plastic cups
• Pipe cleaners
• Pencils
• Markers
• Bottle caps
• Paper
• Bowls
• Tape
• Hot glue guns and sticks (only under supervised use, of course)
• Mini-marshmallows for launching

How to Make a Catapult with a Spoon

If your engineering skills are minimal — or your kid is still honing their fine-motor skills — a spoon catapult could be your best bet. Because, well, it can’t really get much easier. For this catapult, you just need your hot glue gun, a plastic spoon, colored electrical tape, and a wooden clothespin (the vintage style may work best here).

Squeeze your hot glue into the gap of the clothespin, sliding the handle of the spoon into the hot glue. Once the glue cools with the spoon affixed in place, wrap the area of the clothespin with the spoon handle in your electrical tape. Once everything is dried and secured, pop a mini-marshmallow into the spoon, and use your finger to bend the spoon back. The clothespin acts as a fulcrum so, when you release the spoon face, the mini-marshmallow should go flying.

How to Make a Catapult with Popsicle Sticks

Another popular option for building a DIY catapult is using popsicle/craft sticks as the base. To do this, you’d make a stack of popsicle sticks and rubber band them together on each end. Next, take two more popsicle sticks and rubberband them together only at one end (you can also use spare chopsticks for this part!). Pulling the two popsicle sticks apart to create a gap, place the larger stack of popsicle sticks in the gap. Rubber band the stack of sticks to just the upper popsicle stick of the pair.

Also on the upper popsicle stick, you’ll want to rubberband a spoon — its “head” should be secured facing up and hanging off of the top of the popsicle stick. Place a mini-marshmallow into the spoon, hold the catapult with one hand, and use your other hand to pull the spoon down. Release, and watch that sucker fly!

How to Make a Catapult Out of Wood

Are we saying you should build a massive catapult in your backyard? No. Are we also saying it would be badass? Yup. Still, we aren’t going to attempt to teach you how to do something at this scale. We will, however, point you in the direction of this tutorial by I Like To Make Stuff.

Catapults Created Using Other Stuff

There are plenty of other simple, at-home versions you can try with your kids once you’ve mastered the basics. Need inspiration? You could put together a catapult using repurposed bottle caps and a scotch tape dispenser.

Or one made entirely of pencils and rubber bands…

The idea is to get creative, right? You may wind up with more than a few catapulting fails, but figuring out what works (and what doesn’t) will be half the fun.

Whoever said LEGOs are just for kids clearly never read the box. If they had, they’d know that classic LEGO boxes list the max-age as 99. So, ha! Most of us are still young enough to build some badass LEGO creations. And we should be able to do so without judgment, Todd. We feel no shame about our obsession with these toy building blocks — or that we’ve decided to devote an entire article to the best LEGO sets for adults. Because here’s the thing: These toys aren’t just popular with nerds and parents. They’ve been used and referenced throughout pop culture. Both The White Stripes and AVICII had music videos made of LEGO pieces. Ed Sheeran famously named a song “Lego House.” They’ve even been name-dropped on hit shows like Arrested Development and The Simpsons.

Further proof that LEGOs can be for any age can be found simply by wandering a LEGO store. Sure, you’ll find the classic bricks and kid-friendly themed sets. But you’ll also find a whole collection of options geared towards adults. Take, for instance, the 12 grown-up-approved sets below. (It’s us; we’re the grown-ups who approved them.)

Best Lego Sets for Adults

1. Aston Martin DB5

Name a kid who knows what the DB5 is. We’ll wait. Sure, you might have raised a spy-obsessed, Ian Fleming-reading tween. (And if so, good on you.) But since most kids couldn’t tell Sean Connery from Pierce Brosnan if their life depended on it, this James Bond car is strictly for dads.

2. VW Camper Van

Did you know Dave Grohl owns a VW bus? If the former Nirvana drummer turned rock-god-lead-singer of Foo Fighters rolls around in a camper van, these beasts are clearly cool. This set is for all of us who can’t afford to buy a 16 window VDub and realize our dream of living in a van down by the river.

3. VW Beetle

Yes, we put both Volkswagen sets on our list. Just check out the surfboard that comes with this Beetle! While there might be a few sixteen-year-olds out there familiar with the “Bug,” we’re wagering that the majority of people interested in building this are older.

4. Statue of Liberty

Hey, look — it’s a LEGO set that isn’t a vehicle. While they actually have a ton of killer architectural builds, the Statue of Liberty is arguably one of the most impressive. Not only do we love Lady Liberty for all the history and symbolism, but we also dig how deceptively hard it is to build this set.

5. Ghostbusters Car

We ain’t afraid of no ghosts! This one is hard, but it’s for the whole family. We love all the bells and whistles they included on ECTO to make it live up to the movie’s standards.

8. The Colosseum

The Colosseum is huge, right? It only makes sense, then, that this set would be, well, monumental. Fellow history buffs, join us in completely geeking out over the painstaking detail (not to mention over 9,000 pieces) that went into recreating this symbol of Italy’s imperial Roman past.

9. Farnsworth House

The historical significance behind the Farnsworth house, built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is no doubt lost on the vast majority of people. The absolutely striking style of the house, however, is not. Whether you’re an actual architect or just a fan of funky homes, this build is meant for you.

10. 123 Sesame Street

Is Sesame Street a “kids’ show?” Sure. But, it’s also been around for fifty years, meaning this set is loaded with nostalgia. So, yep, this set is one of our favorites and certainly one of the most colorful options on this list.

11. Millennium Falcon

At just shy of $800, Han’s ship is one of the most expensive sets on our list. It’s absolutely worth it, though. Right? Who’s with us on this? It contains 7,541 pieces. That’s hours upon hours of glorious nerd entertainment. So, don’t make any plans for a couple of weeks.

12. Central Perk (From Friends)

Could it be any cooler?! This set might just be the perfect activity for you and your lobster to do together.

Just a heads up, if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

LEGO Jokes

Building LEGOs is exciting! Besides using them to create incredible structures, you can also use LEGOs to tell hilarious jokes. 

What’s the most common operation in a LEGO hospital?
Plastic surgery.

A new LEGO store opened up in my town.
People were lined up for blocks.

What do most LEGOs have?
Separation anxiety.

Here we are, entering month 763 of life during the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve binge-watched everything in our Netflix queue, eaten all of the quarantine snacks, reached #ExpertLevel at forming our beard hair into funny clusters. And now we’re bored again. So very bored. Not only do we need something to help pass the time, but we also need something that’ll get our adrenaline going and make us feel like we haven’t entirely lost our edge. Enter, the best mafia movies.

While we often think of the mafia as something from movies, it’s based on a dark reality. The American Mafia originated in the late 19th century as an offshoot of the actual Italian — more specifically Sicilian — Mafia. As poor, struggling Italian immigrants grappled with the harsh reality of life in the United States, they looked for ways to survive. They banded together and took up the same past they’d left behind in Italy. Together as a unit (or “family,” though that doesn’t mean they’re blood relatives), the newly formed Italian-American Mafia took steps toward thriving in their new environment. Granted, those steps were often illegal and deadly. Even so, their movement quickly spread throughout other large cities across America. The hitch? The Mafia’s criminal behavior quickly led to finding itself in an “us vs. them” situation, with nearly everyone on the wrong side of the fight… at least according to the Mafia.

If this all sounds pretty fascinating to you, well, say hello to our little list of the best mafia movies of all time. Over the years, the genre has generally come to include movies based on the Mafia, the more broad-reaching “mob” life, and the grittier gangster culture. We’ve included a little bit of everything, so consider reading it and binge-watching these cult classics an offer you can’t refuse.

Best Mafia Movies

1. Road to Perdition (2002)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman

Set during the Great Depression, the film follows two men as they set out to seek revenge for the mob murder of their family.

2. The Godfather (1972) & The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Starring: Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Al Pacino

Follow the Corleone family and their associates as they do shady and dangerous family business. Take note: GII is quite possibly one of the few sequels that holds up to its predecessor.

3. Get Shorty (1995)

Starring: Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, John Travolta, Danny DeVito

What’s life like when a mob henchman decides to pursue his Hollywood dreams? Well, it’s a little funny…

4. Goodfellas (1990)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

Based on the book Wiseguy, this mob movie classic follows the life and misadventures of one lifelong mafia man.

5. Scarface (1983) 

Starring: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer

Yet another chance to see Al Pacino do what he does best. This time, he works in the drug trade in Miami and has a nasty cocaine addiction. Can he survive as the government and Colombian cartels close in on him?

6. American Gangster (2007)

Starring: Josh Brolin, Russell Crowe, RZA, Denzel Washington

A semi-autobiographical look at Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, American Gangster is a supremely well-acted story. The film wasn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely worth seeing for yourself.

7. Public Enemies (2009)

Starring: Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Johnny Depp

Listen. It’s a great film. And you can probably get your partner to watch it with you if you tell ’em Johnny Depp is in it. Bonus: He’s not even wearing guyliner.

8. Pulp Fiction (1994) 

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman, John Travolta

You’ve probably seen this at least half a dozen times, but it’s always worth seeing again. It’s the best Tarantino movie. Don’t @ us, bro — we said what we said.

9. The Irishman (2019)

Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin

This time, our mafia deep-dive takes us to the coal-rich state of Pennsylvania and brushes up with the infamous teamster Jimmy Hoffa.

10. Analyze This (1999)

Starring: Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, Lisa Kudrow

You think De Niro ever gets sick of playing mobsters? Eh, who cares? We’ll never get sick of seeing him in that role.

11. Bugsy (1991)

Starring: Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, Elliott Gould

This biographical film follows real mobster Bugsy Siegel as he makes his way from New York to Hollywood and then helps build the Las Vegas strip. It’s old-timey and, honestly, pretty riveting.

12. The Freshman (1990)

Starring: Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick

A film student takes a job working for a New York mob boss. Crime, of course, ensues.

13. Eastern Promises (2007)

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts

If you remember this movie at all, it’s probably because of the incredibly violent and completely naked fight scene. This one branches out a little bit and tells a story involving a Russian mob-run child sex trafficking ring.

14. The Departed (2006)

Starring: Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga

Boston accents! (Why else would a Wahlberg be in it?) This Irish Mob-focused film plays a bit of cat-and-mouse between a mole and an undercover cop.

15. Donnie Brasco (1997)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino

Yeah, it’s Johnny Depp again, in all his pre-Tim Burton resplendence. This one follows an FBI agent who works his way into the Mafia and finds out that his personality and moral compass might be better suited to such a life.

Your kids probably love outer space, right? Even kids who aren’t science-oriented seem to have a fascination with the universe. Hey, we don’t blame ’em — you don’t have to be an astronaut (or a wannabe astronaut) to appreciate the vast and mysterious expanse above us. There’s just so much out there. Even with just your own set of eyes, you can see some pretty cool stuff. You didn’t need a fancy telescope to find 2020’s “Christmas Star” or marvel over the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017.

Whether you’re sitting through another cartoon space adventure, working on a science project, or just simply want to earn points as the coolest dad on the block, some weird info about outer space can be a great contribution. Does your kid know what an astronomical unit is? Or have they wondered what it’s like on the moon? We’ve rounded up some of the most interesting and quirky space facts for kids we could find. Share ‘em as you see fit.

Fun Space Facts For Kids

1 Mercury’s craters are named after famous artists, musicians, and authors (there aren’t any named after Disney characters yet, but there is one named Disney!).

2. Mercury is shrinking due to its fault scarps, which we discovered in 2016 thanks to a purposely crashed spacecraft.

3. Neither Mercury nor Venus have moons.

4. While most planets are similar to Earth and rotate around a north-south axis, Uranus rotates on its side.

5. Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system. Betcha thought that record belonged to Mercury, eh?

6. Litter is everywhere, including space. Thanks to our constant quest to know more about our solar system, there are now-defunct satellites and out-of-service spacecraft scattered throughout our galaxy.

7. If you combined the mass of all other planets and doubled it, that object would still be smaller than Jupiter.

8. Mount Everest is only the tallest mountain on Earth. Mars’ Olympus Mons is more than 10 miles taller, making its peak nearly three times as high.

9. Jupiter is also the “owner” of the galaxy’s most active moon. Its moon, Io, has hundreds of volcanoes. They are in an almost constant state of eruption due to Jupiter’s gravitational pull.

10. On Neptune, one year is equal to 164.8 Earth years. In other words, you won’t live long enough for Neptune to complete even one rotation around the sun.

11. Neptune’s moon, Triton, orbits the planet “backward.”

12. Uranus’ blue glow is thanks to its atmospheric gases.

13. The Hubble Space Telescope has helped astronomers write more than 15,000 research papers.

14. While it seems like we’re on a never-ending space quest to find water on Mars, we do know that ice exists throughout our solar system — including on our own moon and even in shadowed Mercurian craters.

15. The first food ever eaten in space was applesauce.

16. The sun is 4.6 billion years old.

17. Did you know that technically the color white isn’t a lack of colors, but all colors mixed together? This phenomenon accounts for why the sun appears white to us.

18. You could fit more than one million Earths inside the sun.

19. The sun is made of roughly ¼ helium.

20. The distance between Earth and the sun is called an astronomical unit.

21. Did you know the sun makes its own orbit? It takes roughly 225-250 million years to complete one orbit around the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way.

22. When the sun runs out of hydrogen, it will begin expanding and devour Mercury, Venus, and Earth. Don’t worry, though! Scientists believe we have another 5 billion years before that happens. Even your grandchildren’s grandchildren’s great-great-grandchildren won’t see this happen.

23. There are more stars in space than grains of sand on Earth. (If you want to fact check that, you better start counting.)

24. The first woman in space was Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova.

25. There’s no wind on our moon.

26. Because of the lack of wind, our astronauts’ footprints will never disappear.

27. Combined with the sun’s, the moon’s gravitational pull creates our tides.

28. No matter where you are on Earth, you’re always seeing the same side of the moon.

29. We know more about our moon than our oceans. It’s true! We’ve mapped 100 percent of our moon’s surface. However, we’ve only explored about 5 percent of the ocean floor.

30. Sure, you know about black holes, but what do you know about white holes? Despite having never discovered one, scientists know it’s mathematically possible they exist.

31. The center of the galaxy reportedly smells like rum and tastes like raspberries. Um, yum! Wondering why? Well, that would be thanks to the chemical ethyl formate, which gives both their distinct smell and taste. It was recently discovered in a gas cloud near the center of the Milky Way.

32. “Outer space” is only 62 miles away. That means you’re closer to outer space than Disney World is to Miami or Los Angeles is to San Diego.

33. Space is completely silent.

What’re ya cookin’ with — gas or charcoal? Do you have an Egg? What about a smoker? We’ve written a lot about grilling and barbecuing here. Probably because it’s almost as dad-specific as dad jokes. And, really, what’s not to love? Grilling brings with it a rush of both nostalgia and freedom. Whatever kind of grill or barbeque you’re working with, firing it up just makes you feel… cool. (C’mon, you can admit it; we’re all friends here.) It’s your chance to show off your grillmaster skills, not to mention give your partner a break. Bonus: Your kids have long learned that “for safety reasons” they need to stay back from the grill. As long as you’re within a three-to-five foot radius of the grill, clicking those dad-only grill tongs in your funny apron, no one is going to bother you. That doesn’t mean it’s not family time, though. After all, who are you going to bounce grilling puns off of if you don’t have a captive audience, i.e. your unwitting family?

From your version of a throne, you can watch the chaos that is family life during grilling season. Fido is protecting the fam from the big, bad pool skimmer. *eyeroll* The kids are soaking each other with the hose. *laugh* And your partner is happily boiling corn on the cob in the kitchen with the cool air conditioning blasting. *sigh* Could life get any better than this? Sure, but only with these truly amazing grilling puns and jokes at the ready.

Best Grilling Puns

1. Accidently burned dinner on the grill. Missteaks were made.
2. Someone threw a grill at my face. The attack made headlines.
3. I can’t decide whether to grill chicken breasts or chicken thighs. I guess I’ll just wing it.
4. At the office barbecue, I grilled a medium-rare steak for my boss, and he said, “I like it well done!” I said, “Thanks. That means a lot.”
5. Before every barbecue, I tell myself I’ll eat healthy and stick to the salads. But then my plan takes a turn for the wurst.
6. Just finished cleaning my grill. It was grate.
7. You can imagine my surprise when I saw James Bond making burgers in the park. I guess he had a license to grill.
8. I was grilling yesterday, but the meat started smoking. Steaks were high.
9. My friends invited me to barbecue night yesterday. I said no, but now I’m regretting it. That was a missed steak.
10. One day when I was young, I watched my father grilling burgers. When they were done, he handed me one telling me it was a bison burger. He left and never came back.
11. When I’m cooking on the grill I like to sing “The Tong Song.”
12. My dad just got a fancy new grill, and I’m worried he’ll get hurt trying to use it. The steaks have never been higher.
13. I hate when my mom grills brats for dinner. She’s the würst.
14. It took me two hours to grill a chicken the other day… and it still didn’t tell me why it crossed the road.
15. My grammar may be poor, but my grilling is impeccable. I’d steak my reputation on that.
16. A grillmaster wanted to load up the grill with more BBQ, but he was running low on hot coals. So, he decided not to brisket.
17. My buddy is awesome at grilling steaks. They are all very well done.

Best Grilling Jokes

1. What did the exasperated man serve at his barbecue?
   Sheesh kabobs.
2. How can you tell if a hamburger was grilled in space?
   It’s a little meteor.
3. What do you call a row of dolls burning on a grill?
   Barbie Queue.
4. What’s Snoop Dogg’s favorite part of grilling?
   The sizzle.
5. What is the most important project task of a grillmaster at a chop house?
   To please their steakholders.
6. Why was the man at the cookout so happy?
   He met the grill of his dreams.
7. If Bear Grylls could grill bears, how many bears could Bear Grylls grill?
   As many bears as Bear Grylls’ grill could bear.
8. What is a librarian’s favorite thing to grill during the summer?
   A shhhhh-kabob.
9. Why are cows scared of cars?
   They’re afraid they might end up on the grill.
10. You know how when your mouth waters when someone’s grilling?
    Do vegans drool when someone is outside and is mowing their lawn?
11. What do you put on a lonely grilled cheese sandwich?
    Provolone.
12. For sale. Muhammed Ali DVD set. George Foreman Grill.
    Both boxed.
13. The cast of the Matrix was having a barbeque
    The seafood was fresh off the grill. Keanu Reeves tasted it and exclaimed “What is this! It’s like charcoal!”
    The cook turned and said “What if I told you…that’s why they call me Laurence Fishburne.”

Vacations, for the time being, are… different. We’ve had to change our plans for family gatherings, vacations and trips to our favorite destinations. If you had to scrap your family Florida road trip or getaway, and haven’t yet rescheduled, don’t worry: staying home doesn’t have to mean sticking to the status quo. 

To help you bring a little bit of that Florida spirit to a stay-cation, here are five Dad-Approved Florida activities you can do without leaving your house.

Miniature Golf 

What you need: one putter, wiffle golf balls, an understanding spouse.

It doesn’t matter what vacation spot you hit with your family, there’s almost definitely a mini-golf course nearby. To recreate this essential vacation experience, use paper towel tubes, cereal boxes, etc. to create – right in your home – anything from a basic putting green to an elaborate 9-hole escape throughout your home.  Bonus points if you spruce it up with some drawings and artwork beforehand.

Note: Definitely get the wiffle golf balls if your kids are…let’s say “enthusiastic.” 

DIY Disney 

What you need: a TV, some big boxes or a laundry hamper, and some Disney memories

Doing Disney at home is doable. In fact, there’s already a blueprint on how to do it. 

You can easily find first-person videos of your favorite Disney attractions online. And, with a cardboard box, a little muscle, and maybe some well-timed water splashes, you can recreate the magic for your toddler – without the height restrictions. 

Ocean Soak 

What you need: a kiddie pool, sunglasses, a phone with a white noise app

This one’s maybe more for you and Mom. Soaking in the ocean has a healing property, spiritually if not actually medicinally, and you can come *this close* to replicating it at home. Fill up a kiddie pool, throw some shades on, crank up the volume of your Ocean Waves #7 on your favorite white noise app, and  let your troubles float away.  Want it even more authentic? All it takes is a little yacht rock and some cold beverages to make any backyard a beach party. 

DIY Daytona International Speedway 

What you need: those boxes/laundry baskets from #2, lower body strength, and a checkered flag…. or, like, a flannel shirt, even.

The thrill of being at Daytona is hard to match, but what if instead of watching a race, you could get into the action? Bring back the giant boxes or laundry baskets from DIY Disney, and add some construction paper coloring/graphics to spruce up your race cars. 

Go the extra mile by moving some furniture to the center of the room to create a true “speedway.”

Bathtub Shark Fishing 

What you need: magnets, towels, string, and a broom or other rod. 

You might not be able to hit the ocean for quality bonding time, but that doesn’t mean your kid can’t bring in a great  catch.

Use your arts and crafts skills to create a variety of toothy terrors, affixed with some magnets you can find at any hardware store. Place more magnets on the end of the string attached to your makeshift rod. After you cast your line comes the best part of teaching your kid to fish: “resting” your eyes and saying “it’s all about patience.”

The past year has changed the way we relax, but it’s not permanent. But what doesn’t change is the ability to make fun memories with your kids. You don’t have to go to Florida to be in that sunshine state of mind. Find ways to bring your staycation to the next level at VISITFLORIDA.com.