These are the first ten badges to earn — and we earn them together. Both dads and kids take on these challenges side by side. Each one is designed to help our kids grow — and because we’re doing the difficult things alongside them, we lead by example.
These challenges aren’t easy. They’re meant to push us. Each one is scaled by age — for example, 5–9 year olds might do three days instead of a full week.
Here are some examples of the tougher ones:
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Sleep on the Floor for a Week – mat or blanket only.
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Cold Showers Week – daily 1–2 minutes.
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Bad-Weather Adventure – train, hike, or play in rain or wind.
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Family Food Budget + Shopping – plan, shop, and cook a week of meals.
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Hand wash Clothes for a Week – bucket, soap, and dry outside.
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Live on $1 a Day for a Week – simple food, reflection.
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Plan & Run a Family Day – organise the whole thing from start to finish.
And because fatherhood isn’t just about hard stuff, there is also the lighter side to earning badges as well — ones that build connection, laughter, and fun:
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Build a Fort and Sleep In It.
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Roast Marshmallows Over a Fire You Built.
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Dad vs. Kids Backyard Olympics.
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Learn a Magic Trick and Perform It.
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Create a Family Secret Handshake.
Some badges test grit or build courage; some teach gratitude, service, or life skills; some are just for fun — but all build memories and bring us closer together