Skipping a stone is a fun way to wile away the time on a camping trip or picnic. It’s something every uncle and dad should know how to teach and pass on to the kiddos. If you never learned how, here’s your tutorial.

Pick the right stone: flat, uniform thickness/thinness, fits in your palm, and no heavier than a tennis ball. Too heavy and the rock won’t skip off the water. Hold the stone between your thumb and middle finger, with your thumb on top, and your index finger hooked along the edge. Stand facing the water at a slight angle. With rock in hand, pull your arm back like you’re going to throw a sidearm pitch. As you throw the rock, cock your wrist back. Right before the release, give your wrist a quick flick. This will create the spin needed for the stone to skip across the water. Throw our and down at the same time.For maximum skips, the stone should enter the water at a 20 degree angle. Scientists have found this to be the optimal angle for stone skipping! Have fun skipping stones with your kiddos!

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Illustration by Ted Slampyak