Author: Mike Lanza

As parents, what can we do about boys not being engaged at preschool?

My 4-year-old, Leo, gets practically nothing out of preschool. His two older brothers, now in 3rd grade and kindergarten, got very little out of it

by Mike Lanza
on January 4, 2014

Tech-aided treasure hunts enhance kids’ play experience and introduce them to Menlo Park neighbors and shopkeepers

Some advocates of children’s outdoor play would have you believe that technology is the enemy. Kids who attended my fifth annual Camp Yale two weeks

by Mike Lanza
on July 21, 2013

Informal playspaces for our kids, right under our noses in Menlo Park

Recently, I took my boys to a creek in my sister’s residential neighborhood in suburban Pittsburgh, and they had an absolutely fabulous time for hours.

by Mike Lanza
on June 9, 2013

Thoughts on the overly-distracted world of Menlo Park children

At home, children are bombarding themselves with digital media – eight hours a day, according to a prominent study. Most older kids do their homework

by Mike Lanza
on May 12, 2013

Turning Menlo Park kids into “doers” is parents’ responsibility, not the schools

Kids’ lives are increasingly structured to discourage independent problem solving of real world problems – i.e. “doing.” The two biggest trends is their alarming increase

by Mike Lanza
on January 18, 2013

Do your kids have fun playing at home indoors? Tips from a Menlo Park Dad

My three boys are never bored playing at home. Really. I’m serious. Despite the fact that they play a lot less in our wonderful front and

by Mike Lanza
on December 22, 2012

How an 8-year-old mastered his Menlo Park neighborhood

Yesterday, my son Marco (8) took Wayne, a school friend, to the house of Jacob, another school friend. Then, the three of them made their

by Mike Lanza
on November 9, 2012

Add “geocaching” to fun weekend activity for Menlo Park families

I took my family “geocaching” in our Playborhood for the first time recently . It was an amazing experience for all of us. Geocaching is

by Mike Lanza
on September 22, 2012

Playing Huntopoly is fun activity for kids — and a chance to meet their Menlo Park neighbors

Recently, kids played a new and improved version of Huntopoly, a neighborhood scavenger hunt game I created, at my neighborhood summer camp, Camp Yale, in

by Mike Lanza
on July 22, 2012

Now appearing in my neighborhood — Hugh the magician aka The Magic Beard

We have a magician in our neighborhood in Menlo Park. His name is Hugh, The Magic Beard. Kids around here call him Huey. In most

by Mike Lanza
on May 26, 2012