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Father’s Day is fast approaching, which means it's time to start brainstorming some ways to make the yearly celebration truly memorable. Whether that’s planning a day with the guys for him and his friends, game night with the grandkids or a romantic trip with just you and your hubby, make your favorite guy feel extra special with one of these 50 Father’s Day activities, which include ideas that appeal to adults and are still fun for the whole family.
What was my criteria when coming up with this list of winning Father’s Day activities, you ask? Well (and this is after years of not exactly nailing the day for my own special guy) I started by thinking about appealing to every type of dad. I wanted a diverse range of options, including activities that get the blood pumping, more leisurely outdoor ideas, celebrations that can be enjoyed at home and ones that speak to particular hobbies and interests. (Yep, there’s something for foodies, music lovers, film buffs and more.) I also considered price point (you don’t have to spend a ton of cash to show you care) and time constraints (do you want a 2-hour activity or a full-day affair?). So, without further ado, read on and pick an activity that will make dad light up on his special day.
THE 64 BEST FATHER'S DAY GIFTS, FROM $11 TO $1,900
Outdoors Father’s Day Activities
1. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
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If you and your dad always bonded over camping trips or park visits (or if you’re known to put the kibosh on your SO’s less-than-luxurious vacation designs), surprise him with an exciting day enjoying the great outdoors. You can either hit up a longtime favorite or test out a new location. ’Tis the season for hiking, fishing and cycling, after all.
2. Camp Out in the Backyard
If an overnight stay at a campsite is a little too ambitious and you want to keep things a more low-key, why not plan a family campout in the comfort of your dad’s backyard? Everyone will have easy access to indoor plumbing, you can fire up the grill for dinner and enjoy s’mores around a fire pit before heading to your tents. (From my experience, dads will love showing anyone who doesn’t already know how to properly pitch one.)
3. Play Lawn Games
If video games and board games aren’t your dad’s thing, take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and head to the backyard for a couple hours of bocce, croquet and cornhole, or any other assortment of lawn games you prefer. Depending on the size of the group, it might be key to opt for a variety of games so the guests at the celebration can rotate through different stations, but either way the friendly competition and fresh air is sure to be appreciated by all.
4. Garden Together
Grab a dad (or gramps) and put their green thumb to the test with a hands-on activity that involves sprucing up the backyard and planting a family garden. The household will surely benefit from the fresh herbs, veggies and fruits you plant and the resulting flower garden will spruce up the outdoor space, too. After all, Father’s Day is a perfect time of year to take on a new outdoor hobby.
5. Go Stargazing
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I remember several stargazing trips my dad and I took together—usually timed to coincide with a meteor shower, but the night sky is always beautiful. Pack some sleeping bags, a camping grill and any other provisions you need; then, head to an area free of light pollution and search for constellations together while enjoying some pleasant conversation.
6. Spend a Day on the Beach
Chill in the sand during the day for a picnic lunch and plenty of sunshine, or go to the beach at nightfall for a bonfire gathering when the spot is quiet. Either way the fresh ocean air and carefree vibes will make for a special Father’s Day celebration.
7. Go Birdwatching
Birdwatching became a favorite pastime in the pandemic, but that doesn't mean you still can't partake. Take your favorite guy to a serene spot in the park and see what kinds of sky creatures you may run into. This is also a great opportunity to just check in, fill him in on everything that's going on with you and see how he's doing as well.
8. Pack a Picnic
Fix up a lunch of his favorite foods (hello, roast beef on rye) and enjoy a picnic outside in your local park, or stay closer to home and eat al fresco in the garden or the front yard.
9. Go Fishing
Historically, your old man’s favorite activity was filed in the ‘snoozefest’ category, but Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to give it another go. In fact, you might be surprised by how much all parties will enjoy the quiet connection that comes from being out on the water, just chatting and waiting for a whopper to bite.
Active Father’s Day Activities
10. Take a Bike Ride
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Dads who are still mobile enough to cycle will have a blast joining their family members for a bike ride around town. You can stop at food trucks and ice cream parlors along the way or take the bikes off the beaten path for scenic views on nearby nature trails.
11. Play Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, ping pong and badminton—and it’s a whole lot of fun to play and not that strenuous, so many older dads can get in on the activity. Best of all, it can be played as singles (two people) or doubles (four people) so it’s an easy way to get the whole family involved. (Pst: We’ve got some ideas for pickelball gear if he needs it.)
12. Go Rock Climbing
No, we’re not suggesting you take the whole family out into the wilderness to scale a cliff. That said, I have very fond memories of going to REI with my dad for camping gear and spending some time on the indoor rock climbing wall there. It was an activity we both enjoyed and a good workout to boot. If indoor rock climbing sounds like something your father would enjoy, I suggest checking out a local indoor climbing gym and spending some time on the walls before sitting down for a restorative lunch or dinner.
13. Take a Hike
If you’re not prepared to go all in on a full weekend of roughing it in a tent, don’t worry—we all have our limits, after all. Instead, pack a satisfying picnic spread and schedule a day hike for some invigorating physical activity and time spent in nature. Bonus points if you make the experience extra special by picking a hike that culminates in an amazing scenic view.
14. Visit a State or National Park
June is prime time for our nation’s many amazing parks, where the beaches are newly-opened and many activities resume. Whether you’re making a full-on Yosemite visit or simply hitting up a local state park, make sure to check in with a ranger about what’s on tap…and pack plenty of sunscreen.
15. Get Sporty
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Even if the dad in your life isn’t a hardcore sports fan, catching a random game can be a fun way to connect. Look for local basketball and soccer games, golf tournaments or horse races—all are pretty common in June. If you’re really not into tagging along, you can always buy tickets and coordinate with his friends, then catch up afterward.
16. Go Golfing
This 9-by-3-foot putting green boasts more than 15,000 five-star reviews. Let him show off his stroke while you hone your skills. Alternatively, you can take him to a nearby Top Golf where you can also grab some bites and drinks. Or you, know, just head out together to the local green.
17. Work Out Together
Keep your dad in tip-top shape by planning a run or bike ride other outdoor workout together. (Park or beach-side yoga anyone?) You’ll both reap the benefits of outdoor exercise, and will be ready for that well-deserved beer when you’re done.
18. Host a Sports Tournament
He’s always bragging about what a great hooper he was back in his heyday, so why not challenge that legendary athleticism? Go to the park or plan something in your backyard for a day of fun sporting activities. Think basketball, bocce ball, flag football and croquet, to name a few. And if the guest of honor is also your romantic partner, raise the stakes by allocating prizes—loser has to take out the garbage for the week or mow the lawn for the month.
At-Home Father’s Day Activities
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19. Watch His Favorite Movie in the Backyard
Your dad never tires of waxing poetic about the Rocky franchise, or maybe it’s Shawshank Redemption…The point is that you’ve spent too many years tuning him out when he gushes about whatever film he fancies most. Make things right by setting up a projector screen in the backyard, serving up some finger foods and sitting (hopefully not suffering) through his longtime favorite flick. (If you need some suggestions, here are our editors’ top father’s day movie picks.)
20. Lend a Hand with an At-Home Project or Chore
If there’s a project your dad has been wanting to tackle—say, organizing the garage or cleaning out the tool shed—Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to lend a helping hand. You’ll have plenty of time to chat and bond while you work together to get the work done, and the gesture of helpfulness will not go unnoticed.
21. Host a Dinner Party
A good old fashioned dinner party is a lovely way to celebrate your dad on Father’s day—particularly if you manage to round up some of your dad’s oldest and closest friends for the occasion. If you’re not sure what to cook, we have some easy recipes to inspire you—and even a helpful service that will lighten your load.
22. Plan a Zoom Party
Hey, mamas aren’t the only ones who need some time with their pals to catch up. Plan a virtual Zoom party for your father and some of his favorite guys who can’t make it in person—brothers, co-workers, even that one friend from across the pond he hasn’t seen in a while.
23. Play a Video Game Together
Even if he isn’t the most technologically-savvy, we bet he can get on board with one of the many beginner-friendly options available (and the kids can surely teach him a thing or two, as well).
24. Share Some Memories
Make a greatest hits video of your family over the years and get everyone seated to watch it together. Make sure to play it on the big screen so everyone can see exactly how nervous you were at graduation. Cue the waterworks.
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25. Sharpen Your DIY Skills
He’s the first person you call when you have to figure out how to hang up a picture frame. So why not let him teach you some skills? Pick a project you guys can work on together (like a birdhouse) and spend the day building your masterpiece.
26. Have a Movie Night
Let Dad pick the film (even if it’s some obscure historical documentary you have no interest in). Let him choose the snacks, too. Need a movie suggestion or two? Here are the 80 best family movies of all time.
27. Make Him Breakfast in Bed
Waffle breakfast sandwich with chorizo. Maple candied bacon. Pizza-dough cinnamon rolls. All this and more in our roundup of the 62 best breakfast recipes.
28. Throw a Themed Party
If you want to go all out this year, throwing a full-blown party for your dad (or partner) and all his favorite people fits the bill. Bonus points if you can give it a theme based on one of his favorite things or something he’s known for—like asking everyone to show up wearing the loud golf polos he can’t resist or hosting a yacht rock-themed bash for the diehard Steely Dan fan, for example. Just remember: Go big or go home.
29. Host a Game Night
He taught you all his poker, Uno and Monopoly tricks, now it’s time to literally beat him at his own game. Odds are the student won’t become the master when it comes to card and board games with Pa, but you’ll have a ton of fun trying to out weasel him, that’s for sure. (That said, I can beat my dad at chess with my eyes closed and we both still enjoy the activity regardless of the outcome.)
30. Put on a Performance
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This one can go one of two ways—you and your siblings either recreate the play you painstakingly wrote, starred and directed in the summer of 1999 or have your kids put on a performance for grandpa and dad. Either way, there's bound to be plenty of laughs. Just don't forget to film the event.
Father’s Day Activities for Foodies
31. Go on a Dessert Date
You and your Pa's sweet teeth are the stuff of family legend, so why not fully lean in and go on a dessert adventure with the guy? You can spend the day sampling local dessert bars or hit up some old favorites. If that doesn't sound too appealing, you and your favorite guy can always spend the day baking some sweet treats that you know you'll enjoy. Dessert nachos anyone?
32. Try a Food Crawl
If the dad you’re celebrating is a gourmand, take him on a food crawl to all the most exciting eateries in your area, including new restaurants, sweet shops and food trucks that have received rave reviews. Just be sure to pace yourselves so you don’t return home bursting at the seams.
33. Go for Ice Cream
Sometimes the best celebrations are the simplest ones—like treating someone to ice cream on a beautiful spring day. Whether it's your own dad or the father of your kids, the guest of honor will surely appreciate this sweet and nostalgic activity involving everyone’s favorite frozen childhood treat (preferably enjoyed at an old-timey ice cream parlor).
34. Host a Beer Tasting
Call up breweries nearby and see if they’re able to host a small party for the dad in your life and a few close friends or family members. If not, bring the beers to you by ordering some craft ales from your neighborhood liquor store and let the sampling begin. (And don't forget the finger foods.)
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35. Fire Up the Grill
Let Dad try out those new barbecue tools that you just gifted him and offer up these yummy BBQ side recipes to boot. You’ll be looking at one very happy grill-master when all is said and done.
36. Take a Cooking Class
He makes the world’s best burgers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t pick up a few new tricks. MasterClass offers online classes featuring some of the world's greatest chefs like Gordon Ramsey, Thomas Keller and Alice Waters.
Low-Key Father’s Day Activities
37. Plan a Spa Day
He’d never admit it, but dads need some pampering, too. If a pedicure is too much for him, at least see if he'll do a face mask with you while watching his favorite show (and be sure to snap some pics if he agrees).
38. Volunteer
Research shows that volunteering is not only good for the soul, but also an excellent way to bond. So pick a cause that the dad in question cares about, gather a group and make a date of it. The whole gang can enjoy a hearty meal after and relish those positive vibes that come from giving back to the community.
39. Go Back in Time
Is your dad a history buff? Take him to a local museum or, if there’s some distance between you, bring the past to you with a visit to one of these virtual museums. Check out artworks and sculptures that date as far back as the 8th century at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Ishtar Gate of Babylon at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin or a stroll through the halls of the Palace of Versailles in France...all from the comfort of his favorite recliner.
40. Curate a Playlist
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Long before you were old enough to hit up karaoke bars, Dad was your first singing partner. Curate a playlist full of your favorite hits from back in the day and take a nice car ride like the old times. Songs like Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “My Father’s House” are sure to bring tears to his eyes.
41. Treat Him to a Shopping Spree
You used to do damage to his credit card and now it’s his turn. Does he need to update his toolkit? Some new comfy sweats? A nice spring coat? Or maybe he just wants to splurge your dollars on a fancy leaf blower. Either way, let him go crazy (but not too crazy) with your money for a change. Dads don’t ask for much, so it’s always nice when the bill is on you. (Psst: Nudge him toward this list of best gifts for dad if he doesn’t know where to start.)
42. Plan a Guy’s Day
Speaking of spending time with the fellas, if moms out there are dying for some alone time, we can only imagine dads feel the same. So why not scoop the kids for a day, order his favorite foods and let your love hang out with people who can string full sentences together for an afternoon? Or if he just wants some alone time, let him spend the day by himself too.
43. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
Queue up the home videos or bust out the photo albums; if you’re feeling ambitious you can even prepare a montage. Either way, this Father’s Day activity is sure to make everyone at the celebration a little misty-eyed whilst bringing the whole brood closer to dad.
44. Go Antiquing
If your dad is the kind who likes to collect historical items and tchotchkes, a day of antiquing fits the bill. Make a road trip out of it and visit a nearby town that’s known for its antique stores, or simply hit up a local flea market—either way, you’re sure to discover some treasure that will make his Father’s Day extra special.
45. Go to an Arcade
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Friendly competition, a lively atmosphere, prizes and entertainment galore—there are so many reasons why a visit to the arcade promises a fun-filled Father’s Day. Best of all, it’s a nostalgic activity so dad will get to feel like he’s bonding with his kids, whether they’re fully grown or still young.
46. Do a Jigsaw Puzzle
If you’re looking for a low-key Father’s Day activity that can be enjoyed at home, this one fits the bill. Pick an extra large puzzle if you’re feeling ambitious and dad will also benefit from the promise of you returning to complete the undertaking even once the holiday has passed.
Bucket List Father’s Day Activities
47. Take a Trip
Experience gifts are all the rage right now, so get in on the travel boom and take your favorite guy on a long weekend. Plan a daddy-daughter excursion to a dude ranch somewhere in middle America, or research trips within three hours of home for a one-tank-of-gas-or-less adventure. You may find the car ride makes for some of the best conversations you’ve had in years.
48. Visit an Escape Room
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting activity that isn’t physically strenuous and gets the wheels turning, an escape room is a perfect fit. Best of all, escape rooms encourage teamwork so it’s an excellent way to bring the family together, whilst providing some exhilarating and brain boosting entertainment to all.
49. Have a Bucket List Adventure
Thrill-seeking and adventurous dads can get their rocks off with a once-in-a-lifetime activity, such as bungee jumping, skydiving or zipline. The adrenaline rush and good (courageous) company promises a Father’s Day activity that none will forget.
50. Watch His Favorite Musician
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There are few things more memorable than experiencing live music by an artist you really love. Snag some tix to his favorite band, call up a babysitter if necessary and enjoy a music-filled night to remember with your old man and/or hubby.
