Outrageous Fun - Why it Works

The first time we built water cannons I realized something magical was happening.  Fathers and sons had just assembled a water cannon (a big slingshot!) and were wandering onto the athletic field to practice shooting them.  These were successful, serious professional dads in high stress jobs.  Two dads grabbed the handle on each side of a water cannon while the first son placed a soaked sponge ball in the slingshot and pulled it back.  Zing!  The sopping ball shot through the air landing in the middle of the field.  The son squealed and the dads smiled.  This was going to be different. 

At first everyone was orderly and respectful.  Dad’s lined up holding the handles of the cannons while sons practiced launching the balls.  Once everyone arrived the strategy changed.  The group separated into two teams of fathers and sons and faced off 25 yards apart.  Buckets were filled with water and sponge balls.  Dads stood holding the handles while the sons prepared to load and launch.  The battle was ready to begin.  When the flag dropped, balls started flying.  Orderly and respectful quickly gave way to outrageous competition and fun as each team tried to hit members of the other team, sending them to jail.  A cease fire sent sons scrambled to gather ammo while dads refilled buckets.  For 45 minutes the battle raged, fathers & sons laughing, aiming, whooping when they hit someone, and laughing when they were hit and dragged off to jail.   

The battle always ends the same way, every time.  The countdown to “cease fire” creates a flurry of shots with everyone connected, engaged, and full of energy.  Then, fathers and sons leave the field, arm in arm, laughing and celebrating the moment.  Whether it’s water cannons, field games, or any other outrageous family fun, the outcome is always the same – connection, laughter, and the thrill of doing it together.  

Outrageous family fun can be a magical elixir for the soul of everyone in the family.  Here’s why.

Outrageous fun pushes everyone out of their comfort zone.  Most people live ordered and predictable lives.  Over time ordered and predictable turns into dull and boring.  Outrageous fun shakes things up.  Life becomes unpredictable in a fun way.  Life becomes an adventure again.

Outrageous fun also forces us to laugh, which flips the emotional reset button.  Pent up energy and negative emotions can be released and replaced with positive energy and family connection.  Every year we watch serious and highly trained military professionals turn into kids as they and their children fill the air with soaked sponge balls.  And, their kids see it too!  They see a side of their dad many have never seen.

Finally, outrageous fun is magical because the speed is so fast you can’t overthink it or control everything.  You eventually have to let go and have fun.  The minute that happens, everyone becomes a kid again.

Want to do something great for your family?  Surprise them. Shake things up with some outrageous fun!

by John Brantley