In October 2025, I published my first book: Would You Rather – Wild & Wacky Adventures for Kids.
What started as a family game turned into a full publishing project — and the debut title for Henricks Outdoors. Here’s the story.
The Origin: A Family Game Becomes a Book
I’ve always loved the outdoors — it’s why I worked on OutdoorHub.com and Archery360.com years ago, and why Henricks Outdoors exists as a brand. So when I started playing “Would You Rather” games with my kids, the outdoor theme came naturally.
The questions started flowing:
- Would you rather camp with a singing frog or a moose telling bad jokes?
- Would you rather sled on melted chocolate snow or cross a candy bar bridge?
- Would you rather have a self-packing backpack or a self-refilling water bottle?
Before long, I had dozens. Then hundreds. At some point, I realized: this could be a book.
Why This Book?
Three reasons:
1. Screen-Free Family Time
Every parent I know is looking for ways to engage kids without devices. Road trips, camping, waiting rooms — these are moments where a simple game book beats a tablet. I wanted to create something that sparks conversation, not silence.
2. The Outdoor Connection
The questions are outdoor-themed because nature is where real adventure happens. Trails, tents, and backseat giggles. The book is designed to be a companion for families who value getting outside.
3. Finishing Something Real
In my career, I’ve led big projects with teams, timelines, and stakeholders. This was different — just me, from concept to published product. No approvals, no committees. Just the discipline to finish what I started.
What I Learned
Creating this book reinforced things I already believed — and taught me a few new lessons.
Ideas Are Cheap — Execution Matters
Everyone has book ideas. The difference between “I should write a book” and “I wrote a book” is hundreds of small decisions and consistent effort.
Content Finds Its Audience
I didn’t do a market analysis or validate the idea with focus groups. I made something I believed in and put it out there. It’s found families who love it.
Side Projects Feed the Main Work
Writing 300 questions sharpened my thinking about content structure, audience engagement, and creative consistency. Skills that directly apply to the websites and content I build for clients.
The Book
Would You Rather – Wild & Wacky Adventures for Kids contains 300 hilarious outdoor-themed questions for ages 6–12. It’s perfect for:
- Road trips and camping
- Family game nights
- Classroom icebreakers
- Screen-free downtime
Published by: Henricks Outdoors
Price: $11.99 (paperback)
What’s Next?
This won’t be the last book. The experience of taking a creative idea from concept to published product was too satisfying to do only once.
For now, I’m back to building websites, content systems, and knowledge strategies for clients. But the lesson stands: sometimes the best things come from following curiosity, not just strategy.
Have a family “Would You Rather” favorite? I’d love to hear it. Get in touch.
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