54 Fantastic Things to Do on Father's Day that Dad Is Sure to Love
After all, what could possibly beat time with you?
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When Father's Day comes around each June, it's time to honor Dad! As much as he's sure to love a Father’s Day gift or a Father’s Day card with an heartfelt saying, perhaps what he wants most this year is some quality time with his kids, be they adults or students or even toddlers. To give you ideas of what to do with him this year on his big weekend, we rounded up a list of fantastic things to do on Father's Day to make for unforgettable memories below. Some of these activities are great to do at home, others will take you on fun excursions, and some can even be done in an office with Dad and his son and/or daughter.
Mark Your Calendars: First things first, get the right date on your calendar. The holiday always falls on the third Sunday in June. Now that you have that marked, it’s time to start planning!
Pick Things That Spark Joy: As you are thinking through Father’s Day activities for this year, consider Dad's interests before making a final decision. Make things even simpler by asking what he wants to do. Whether Dad loves working on DIY craft projects, decoding birdsongs while birdwatching in the backyard, or spending countless hours mastering new dinner recipes, there are plenty of fun things to do on Father's Day.
Keep It Fun: Whatever type of Dad he may be and whether you're looking for surprise ideas or are planning the day together, this creative list of Father’s Day activities is sure to have something he’ll enjoy! There’s even a few free Father's Day ideas if you are on a budget.
Find gift ideas and inspiring messages to share on Father's Day.
Take a Father's Day Selfie
Regardless of which Father's Day activities you pick, snap a picture to capture the moment. If you're not spending the day together, send him an old sentimental picture of the two of you along with a thoughtful message.
RELATED: Best Father's Day Captions for Your Favorite Dad Photo
Plan a Bucket List Trip
Stop talking about taking a vacation and get it on the calendar! If Dad has always wanted to go to a certain National Park, football stadium, or even an overseas location, set aside some time and get it booked. It will be a gift for the whole family!
RELATED: The Perfect Yellowstone Itinerary
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Get the kids outside and involved in a fun activity with Dad! Younger kids will love playing guide and searching for items like a chicken, boots, and a pickup truck. Print off the downloadable hunt, and get to looking!
Plant an Herb Garden
Get your hands dirty with this fun project that kids and adults will love. Bonus: You'll have fresh herbs for all of your cooking projects! Either plant a garden and give it to Dad as a gift, or gather all of the supplies ahead of time, and plant the garden together.
Host a Breakfast Gathering
Get the whole family together to plan celebratory breakfast spread that will touch his heart and fill his belly. Try adding our savory Egg-in-a-Hole Buttermilk Biscuits to the menu.
RELATED: Father's Day Breakfasts Your Dad Would Absolutely Love
Go Cloudspotting
Tap into your inner meteorologist and look to the skies for this fun cloudspotting activity. Work together to find cumulonimbus, stratus, cirrus, and cumulus clouds in your neighborhood.
RELATED: Our Downloadable Cloudspotting Guide
Restock His Garden Tools
If your Dad has a green thumb, surprise him with a visit that includes his favorite lunch and a package that include new tools for his green spaces. Treat him to a spread of (much needed!) new garden wares and complete all of his yard tasks after eating lunch together.
RELATED: The 20 Best Amazon Garden Tools for All Your Outdoor Projects
Tackle a DIY Project
Whether it's painting that unfinished guest room with a great bedroom paint color or hanging curtains in the kitchen, Dad will definitely appreciate your assistance.
Take Him to Class
If your Dad loves sipping ice cold craft beer or hard cider, take him to a homebrewing class! Browse your local community calendars for upcoming classes or visit Beer Info's Brewing Schools Directory. If there aren't options nearby order an Oktoberfest Ale Beer Kit or Hard Cider Making Kit that can be shipped directly to your front door with all of the tools needed to become a home brewmaster.
Visit a Small Town
Whether he loves historic sites, rummaging through antique halls, or sipping on saisons at small craft breweries, America's best small towns are teeming with fun ways to bond on Father's Day.
Learn His Signature Recipe
Father's Day is the perfect opportunity for dad to pass on his trademark recipe. Whether it's a signature BBQ sauce or the cheesiest macaroni and cheese, ask him to show you the ropes, then share the meal together.
Cheer on a Minor League Baseball Game
The stands are smaller and the mascots often weirder, but the snacks and hotdogs taste the same! Dad will appreciate the time together as well as the opportunity to try a new experience at a Minor League Baseball game.
Take a Family Hike
Escape to a nearby mountain, hill, meadow, or lake and go for a serene, nature-filled walk—the perfect activity for an outdoorsy dad. Check out this list of best hikes in the U.S. for top spots to explore.
Go Bird-Watching
You don't have to be an all-out nature enthusiast to enjoy bird-watching. Basically, all you have to do is explore the neighborhood or nearest park with a set of binoculars. The fresh air will do everyone some good!
RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide to Birding
Craft a Sentimental Keepsake Together
Instead of DIY'ing Dad a gift by yourself, turn your project into a Father's Day activity you can do together at home. Surprise him by gathering all the materials you'll need in advance.
To make vintage map wall art: Commemorate a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip you and Dad took together by outlining the route traversed with ribbon or twine on a new or vintage map. Use hot-glue to hold the ribbon or twine in place on the map. Frame the finished piece in a store-bought frame.
Make Dad a Mixtape or Playlist
Artists have been writing sentimental songs for a long time about the relationship of fathers and children. Make Dad an old-fashioned mixtape if he still has a cassette player or digital playlist of songs to remind him of how much you appreciate his presence.
RELATED: The 45 Best Father's Day Songs to Listen to with Dad
Go to a Concert
Regardless of musical tastes, search for a show that includes his favorite artist or genre. Look up local venues that offer everything from classical and rock to pop and hip hop. You're sure to find a variety of free choices or modestly priced shows if you're on a tight budget.
Give Back to Your Community
If you find yourself feeling extra grateful for Pops this Father's Day, pay the feeling forward by volunteering with a local chariable organization.
Try a Ropes Course
Get Dad's adrenaline pumping with something that will take him high above his comfort zone: a ropes course! Family-friendly versions exist all over the U.S., and are a great way to work on trust and communication within your family.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
Janece Maze is the former Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covered DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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