What works, what doesn’t

Payoffs: The ability to sustain interest ends the moment there is no more chance for a payoff.

Driving: Dads often love long drives to see new country. Youngsters, on the other hand, prefer playing video games on their phones during the drive, and then ask, “Are we there yet?”

Activities: When you wake up, when you go to sleep, where you will go, what you will eat and what you will do for recreation ... all of this needs to be agreed on so everybody shares the same vision and expectations.

Rewards: Break up trips with short-term rewards, such as keeping a bag of goodies that are occasionally handed out as bonuses. Commit to stop at ice cream parlors, which keeps kids engaged searching outside the car, rather than in their electronic bubbles.

Wildlife: Sighting wildlife, especially big furry guys like bears and elk, can validate a summer vacation. That helps make Prairie Creek Redwoods and Sequoia National Park great destinations. On the other hand, extended ventures into the wilderness, such as tracking game trails in hope of a spot-and-stalk with no guarantee of success, is exciting for the wildlife expert and a dud for kids.

Hikes: A short walk to a great swimming hole, like from Mono Hot Springs to Dorris Lake, or to Rainbow Pool on the Tuolumne River near Groveland, is something that youngsters buy into. Long hikes carrying gear to a cold wilderness lake are not.

Boating: Youngsters like fast boats with the wind in their faces, with destinations to swimming spots. They don’t like hard paddling in a sit-on-top kayak or stand-up paddleboard without a clear reward, and then facing another long paddle on the way back.

Fishing: Youngsters want to catch one fish after another, where it’s easy, often with visuals, like along the tules near Clear Lake State Park, where a bluegill nibbling a worm can make a bobber pop around on the surface. They do not want to flyfish or endure long periods of no bites, such as at a spring-fed stream, where high expertise is required, for elusive wild trout.

Treasured: The most treasured time is around the campfire with people you care for most.