Family
75% OF DADS REVEAL THEY WANT TO GET OUTDOORS THIS FATHER’S DAY
Sierra, the active and outdoor retailer, uncovers what gifts dads really want for Father’s Day this year, from fishing equipment to pickleball sets, kayaks, and more.
Last Updated on June 30, 2024 by Daily News Staff
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Americans are set to spend an impressive $22.4 billion on Father’s Day this year, reflecting the importance of celebrating dads nationwide*. Dads who celebrate actually want to get active outdoors and prefer receiving gear that supports their hobbies and active lifestyles.** National activewear and outdoor gear retailer Sierra, in collaboration with YouGov, has uncovered that dads favor practical gifts that enable them to pursue their favorite outdoor activities. These insights reveal a shift towards experiences, guiding families to choose gifts that truly resonate with what dads want this Father’s Day.
Part of the TJ Maxx Family of Brands, Sierra is known for offering a vast selection of top brands in activewear and gear at great value, and is here to help shoppers spoil dad, grandpa, and any father figures in your life this Father’s Day without breaking the bank.
Key findings amongst dads who celebrate Father’s Day include:
- The Lure of the Outdoors: 75% of respondents shared that their ideal Father’s Day is spent outdoors, with activities ranging from hiking, camping, barbecuing, to fishing and more.
- Not in the Mood for a Fancy Restaurant? Fire up the Grill Instead: Contrary to the traditional image of a Father’s Day expensive dinner outing, 40% of dads who celebrate prefer to spend the day getting active in the great outdoors instead.
- Avoid Impersonal Gifts: Instead of a generic gift basket or a one-size-fits-all gift card to a store he doesn’t shop at, get something you know he needs! 33% of respondents revealed they prefer practical gifts they’ll actually use, including gear for their hobbies and other everyday items.
- Active Apparel & Gear Top the Gift List: When it comes to gifts, dads are most interested in apparel and gear to get active, with 42% of respondents sharing their preferred gifts are activewear and gear for their hobbies, compared to only 22% wanting workout equipment and sporting goods.
- Try Something New: 56% of respondents revealed they’re interested in taking up a new outdoor hobby, including fishing, pickleball, running, hiking, biking, and kayaking.
“This Father’s Day, Sierra has the top gifts to celebrate all dads and father figures out there, with incredible deals on gear for dads who love getting active and outside” said Caitlin Kobelski, Vice President and Sierra Marketing Director. “Whether it’s teaching us a new skill, cheering us on from the sidelines, or simply offering a listening ear, they play a vital role in our lives. At Sierra, we understand the importance of honoring dads with the gifts they want most. Find the perfect gift to fuel his passions and create lasting memories together, from top-quality brands at unbeatable prices to give dads what they truly want.”
Sierra’s Father’s Day Gift Guide:
To help shoppers find the perfect gift for Dad this year at amazing savings, Sierra has curated a Father’s Day Gift Guide featuring a selection of activewear and outdoor gear to support dads in pursuing their favorite activities and outdoor hobbies, or you can search the entire Father’s Day shop here. With prices up to 60% less*** than department and specialty stores prices, shop top gifts at Sierra to get more bang for your buck!
- Help dad discover his love for pickleball with a new pickleball set for just $19.99, 28% less*** than department or specialty retailers, encouraging him to try out new hobbies and creating a new way to spend quality time as a family.
- Check out Sierra’s incredible fishing equipment from this casting rod for just $49.99, 58% less*** than department or specialty retailers, fishing net for just $29.99, 45% less*** than department or specialty retailers, and a fly reel pack for just $129.99, 40% less*** than department or specialty retailers, to make dad’s fishing dream a reality.
- Gear dad up for summer hikes with a pair of sturdy hiking boots for just $59.99, 50% less*** than department or specialty retailers, a hydration pack for only $16.99, 51% less*** than department or specialty retailers, and trekking poles for only $16.99, 32% less*** than department or specialty retailers.
- For the gym-shy dad who wants to start working out, get him started with a workout kit for just $19.99, 33% less*** than department or specialty retailers, comfortable joggers for just $19.99, 50% less*** than department or specialty retailers, and supportive sneakers for just just $59.99, 42% less*** than department or specialty retailers.
Note to Editors
*Based on a report that indicates consumers are estimated to spend roughly $22.4 billion for Father’s Day gifts in 2024 – https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/fathers-day-spending-total-224-billion
**All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2381 adults, among whom 533 were dads who celebrate Father’s Day. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th – 30th May 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).
***Prices are representative. Actual prices as marked. Styles vary by store and online. Compare At prices are based on comparison to regular prices of comparable items at full-price department or specialty retailers.
ABOUT SIERRA
Founded in 1986, Sierra helps customers get active with quality brands, vast selection, and affordable prices. Sierra is part of The TJX Companies, Inc., the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. Shop any of our 100 Sierra stores or visit Sierra.com to find apparel, footwear, and gear for your whole family at incredible prices. Give @SierraOfficial a follow on Instagram and Facebook, then tag us to share your travels, new hobbies, and great finds.
SOURCE Sierra
https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle
Family
Teach and Inspire Your Kids by Exploring History as a Family
History as a Family: During back-to-school season, education is naturally at the forefront of most parents’ minds. While a lot of important learning is accomplished in the classroom, there are so many opportunities to continue challenging and developing children’s minds and hearts in family life as well.
Teach and Inspire Your Kids by Exploring History as a Family
(Feature Impact) During back-to-school season, education is naturally at the forefront of most parents’ minds. While a lot of important learning is accomplished in the classroom, there are so many opportunities to continue challenging and developing children’s minds and hearts in family life as well. Learning about history together is a practical way to inspire deep, meaningful conversations about the world, whether from books, documentaries or visits to museums.
Watch this video to learn more
Now is an opportune time to explore the story of Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager evading Nazi capture during the Holocaust. Families can read her famous diary together then visit “Anne Frank The Exhibition,” presented by the Anne Frank House at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. This comprehensive exhibition immerses visitors in the context that shaped Frank’s life, from her early years in Frankfurt through her tragic death and how her father ensured her legacy. The centerpiece is the first full-scale recreation of the Annex where the Frank family and four other Jews hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The exhibition, recommended for visitors ages 10 and older, is open through early 2027.
No matter what piece of history families choose to delve into together, they should take the time to discuss with their kids what they’re thinking and feeling about everything they’re discovering. Then together they can figure out what lessons from the past can be taken into the future.
“Anne Frank ’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when fear and hatred are
allowed to take root,” said Dr. Chevy Humphrey, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
president and CEO. “At the same time, it reveals the quiet but enduring strength of
curiosity, creativity and resilience, values that sit at the heart of our mission. We hope this
exhibition offers meaningful moments of reflection for our guests, particularly young
people, and encourages them to think critically about their role in the world they are
inheriting.”
Learn more about the exhibit and other experiences that bring history and science to life at GriffinMSI.org.
SOURCE:
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
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The Power of Curiosity: Building More Engaged Learners
(Feature Impact)Young children are naturally curious. They ask endless questions, investigate their surroundings and constantly test how the world works. While that curiosity can leave parents feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, it’s one of the most important drivers of early learning and development.
Curiosity helps children build confidence, develop critical thinking skills and become more engaged learners. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and Mary-Alice Moore, president of Highlights for Children, share why curiosity matters and how parents can nurture it.
Why Curiosity Matters
Curiosity is the engine that drives learning for young children. When they are interested in a topic, they become more motivated to explore, ask questions and seek solutions. That process strengthens important skills such as attention, working memory, flexible thinking and problem-solving. It also helps develop confidence.
For young learners, confidence does not come from always knowing the answer; it comes from believing they can find it. Children who are encouraged to explore their interests and investigate new ideas learn that questions are valuable and discovery is rewarding. These experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Curiosity Evolves as Children Grow
Curiosity looks different at each stage of development. For infants, it’s largely sensory. They learn by touching, tasting, listening and observing people and objects around them.
Toddlers often express curiosity through movement and repetition. Climbing, stacking, dumping, filling and repeating the same activity helps them understand how things work and builds their sense of control.
Preschoolers and kindergarteners become natural investigators. Their frequent “why” and “how” questions reflect a growing desire to understand relationships, solve problems and make sense of new experiences and the world around them.
As children grow, the role of adults evolves as well. Parents move from primarily protecting and guiding children to fostering environments that encourage exploration and independent thinking.
Follow Your Child’s Interests
One of the most effective ways to nurture curiosity is to pay attention to what naturally captures your child’s attention. Whether they’re fascinated by vehicles, animals or building structures, those interests can become powerful learning opportunities. When children are engaged in topics they enjoy, attention and persistence often develop organically.
Consider what causes your child to lose track of time. Those interests provide important clues about what motivates and excites them. Rather than rushing to provide answers, encourage deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions that invite them to explore their own ideas and observations.
Parents Don’t Need All the Answers
Many parents feel pressure to have answers for every question their child asks. In reality, one of the best responses is often “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.”
This models curiosity and shows your child that learning continues throughout life. It also transforms questions into shared experiences and opportunities for discovery. Encourage your child to remain engaged and curious using simple phrases such as:
- “That’s an interesting question.”
- “What do you think?”
- “Let’s investigate.”
If you’re unable to respond immediately, it’s important to acknowledge the question and return to it later. Following up communicates your child’s ideas and questions are valuable.
Setting Boundaries
Curiosity should be encouraged, but safe boundaries remain essential. When children become interested in something unsafe, simply saying “no” may stop the behavior, but it does little to support learning. Instead, explain why something is unsafe and redirect curiosity toward an appropriate alternative.
For example, if your child wants to explore knives, explain knives can hurt people then offer safe cooking tools or supervised kitchen activities to investigate instead.
Using Technology
Technology can play a positive role in nurturing curiosity when it’s used to extend real-world experiences rather than replace them.
After spotting a ladybug at the park, for example, a child might use videos or age-appropriate digital resources to learn more about insects. The real-world encounter sparks curiosity and technology helps deepen learning.
By listening, encouraging exploration and demonstrating curiosity yourself, you can help your child develop skills that extend far beyond the early years. For more parenting guidance, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com. Visit Highlights.com for magazines, books and resources for parents and educators.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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How Invasive Pests Spread and How You Can Help Stop Them
(Feature Impact) Invasive pests can hide in places you’d never expect, and once they spread, they can destroy the trees, plants and food people rely on every day. These pests pose a serious threat to agriculture, forests, ecosystems and the food supply. Many invasive species cannot travel far on their own; instead people unknowingly move them from place to place.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, invasive pests hitchhike on everyday items such as plants, produce, firewood, vehicles and outdoor equipment. That makes many common activities – from traveling and online shopping to camping and gardening – potential “pathways” for invasive pests to move and reach new areas. Understanding these pathways is the first step to stopping pests before they spread.
Traveling Abroad
When you travel abroad and return from another country, the agricultural items you bring back can introduce new invasive pests into the U.S. and threaten crops or trees that have no natural defenses against them. Even harmless-looking fruit, seed packets or souvenirs made with plant materials can carry pests such as fruit flies and diseases like citrus canker. That’s why it’s critical travelers declare food, plants and other agricultural products when entering the country from abroad.
Shopping Online
Just because you can order seeds and plants from sellers around the world, it doesn’t mean those items are legal or safe to import. In fact, some invasive snails and plant diseases have entered the U.S. this way. Many agricultural products from overseas require permits, inspections or special paperwork before they can enter the country. Buyers should check where an item ships from, learn the import requirements before purchasing and make sure sellers follow all labeling and shipping rules.
Partaking in Outdoor Activities
When you spend time outdoors hiking, camping, hunting or fishing, you could inadvertently spread invasive species. For example, transporting firewood from one location to another can spread tree-killing insects, such as the emerald ash borer, which can live inside the wood and emerge later in a new area. The safest choice is to buy or use firewood where you burn it. Additionally, clean all outdoor clothing, gear, equipment and vehicles before leaving an area.
Moving Outdoor Equipment
When you move to a new home, your move can create another opportunity for invasive insects to travel. Before relocating patio furniture, grills, trailers or lawn equipment, inspect and clean them carefully. Look for insects, plant debris and egg masses like spotted lanternfly egg masses, which can blend into outdoor surfaces and look like smears of mud or clumps of dirt. A few minutes of checking and cleaning before you move can help prevent pests from invading your new neighborhood.
Invasive pests cost the U.S. billions of dollars every year and damage forests, farms, parks and backyards. Stopping invasive pests starts with simple steps anyone can take: checking what you pack, clean, move and buy. When everyone does their part, fewer pests spread and communities stay healthier and more resilient.
Visit aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests to learn more about how invasive pests spread and the simple steps you can take to help stop them and protect America’s agriculture and natural resources.
Invasive Pest Protection Checklist
- Declare all food, plants and agricultural items when returning from another country.
- When ordering items online, check where the products ship from and verify U.S. import rules before buying.
- If you’re camping, buy firewood where you plan to burn it. Clean clothing, gear and vehicles before leaving.
- Before moving to a new home, inspect outdoor furniture and equipment, looking closely for egg masses or insects.
Content courtesy of USDA.
SOURCE:
United States Department of Agriculture
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