6 Fun Things to Do with Your Dad to Celebrate Father's Day

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and our big question for you is - what have you got planned for your dad?

If you’re fresh out of novel gift ideas, don’t worry because we’ve got some good news for you. This special day doesn’t have to be about spending a ton of money on material possessions. If you want to make Dad feel closer to you, gift him an experience.

That’s right, there are lots of fun things to do on Father’s Day that’ll strengthen your bond. The best part is that not only will they put a smile on Dad’s face, but you can also choose activities that suit your budget. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.   

6 Things to Do for Father’s Day

The great thing about Father’s Day is that it falls right at the start of summer. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to organize some quality time with dad and the kids and take advantage of the great weather. After all, it doesn’t last forever.

If you don’t know what to do for Father’s Day, read on for some fun activities that will get the whole family together and honor the man who’s there for you day in and day out. And if you do want to get him a little something extra to show him how much his family loves him, check out our Father’s Day gift guide.

1. Plan an Awesome Pool Day

What better way to celebrate Dad than by planning a day of fun in the sun? With summer in full swing, a pool day is one of those fun things to do on Father’s Day that the entire family will enjoy--especially the kids. The kids might even think it’s their special day too, but we won’t tell them if you don’t. 

Pack a picnic with all of Dad’s favorite foods (don’t forget to include his beer of choice!) and get ready for an awesome day. One way to make this celebration a little bit more unique is to take him to a pool that none of the family has been to or see if any local upscale hotels have pool passes. Bonus points if it’s a rooftop pool with sweet views.

And if the idea of spending the day kicking back by the pool feels a bit tame, Father’s Day is an excellent excuse to get your adrenaline pumping on the water slides at your local water park. The kids will love it, and so will the big kid in your family: Dad. Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring the SPF. You don’t want Dad’s memory of Father’s Day to be sunburn.

2. Take a Cooking Class with Dad

Maybe Dad’s no Anthony Bourdain, but there’s no reason he can’t be. If he enjoys spending time in the kitchen and would like to up his cooking game, sign him and the kids up for a cooking lesson.

One of the reasons this is one of the best things to do for Father’s Day is because not only will he learn a new skill, but the whole family will also benefit from his newfound prowess in the kitchen. Plus, the kids might discover their passion for cooking. Sounds like a win-win, right?

Even if nobody ends up becoming a fantastic chef, there’s nothing like learning something new to bring the family together. And there’s no shortage of choices when it comes to choosing a cooking class for the man of the house. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:

• Sushi making
• Pasting making from scratch
• Baking and pastry classes
• Country-specific cuisine (French, Italian, Thai, etc.)

3. Host a Family Barbecue

The best thing about this special Sunday is getting to spend time together as a family, which is why if you don’t know what to do on Father’s Day, a family barbecue is an easy and surefire way to have a great time--and take advantage of shorts weather while it lasts. (It’s always gone too soon, isn’t it?)

Dust off your lawn chairs, trim the grass and invite all the dads in your family to your house for a special backyard celebration in their honor. And if you don’t care to host and have to deal with all the cleanup yourself afterward, a park is another great place to have the barbecue. We can’t think of a better way to spend that Sunday than grilling with the family.

Whether you decide to have the barbecue at home or somewhere else, get your guests involved by having them bring appetizers. Enlist your kids’ help to make all of Dad’s favorite appetizers.

With the appetizers out of the way, all you have to focus on is the barbecue, and voila! You’ve got all the makings of a perfect day Dad will love.

4. Hit Your Local Amusement Park

Are you looking for fun things to do with Dad? Specifically, fun things that will get the adrenaline junky in your family’s heart rate pumping? If Dad’s never met a roller coaster he didn’t like, the answer for how to celebrate Father’s Day is clear: take him and the kids out for a fun-filled day at your local amusement park.

To get the most out of your day at the theme park, buy tickets in advance, don’t skimp on the cotton candy, and bring provisions: you’ll need lots of water, good walking shoes, and some snacks to keep you energized. And again, don’t forget the sunscreen. After all, you don’t want Dad’s memory of Father’s Day to be the epic sunburn he got at the amusement park.

5. Get Out on the Water

Who doesn’t have fond memories of spending time out on the water as a kid? This Father’s Day, take Dad and the kids for a boat ride on a local lake. It’ll be a day of fun and sun that everyone will love, and it’s the perfect way to kick off summer celebrations. 

While swimming and sunbathing are great fun on their own, getting out on the water presents many cool things to do with Dad. If he loves setting up his fishing rod, this is a perfect moment for him and the kids to see what they can catch. You can also do other things like waterski, wakeboard, or tubing.

Now, you might be thinking that all this sounds fun, but you don’t have a boat. If that’s the case, you can still enjoy a fantastic day out on the water because lots of lakes will let you rent one for the day. Check ahead and make a reservation before you go. And for those families with older kids, jet skis are another great way to bring the family together on Father’s Day.

6. Try Rock Climbing

If you’re not sure what to do for Father’s Day, there’s no better time to try something he’s always talked about doing: rock climbing. Grab the kids and gift Dad a day at the rock gym. It’s sure to be a day that everyone will remember and a great way for everyone to try their prowess on the rock walls.

Before you go, make sure to check with the rock gym about how often they offer belay clinics, which is where you learn how to secure a climber on the wall with a rope. Most offer limited belay clinics that require you to sign up beforehand, so do so ahead of time. If all that is a bit much, you can also try bouldering, which doesn’t require any extra classes or ropes.

Most gyms have things like harnesses and climbing shoes for rent and plenty of friendly people to help beginners get going. 

If rock climbing doesn’t sound like the best choice, or if there’s no rock gym near you, never fear--there’s no shortage of fun things to do with Dad on Father’s Day. Consider any one of these activities that’ll sure to be a hit for all family members:

• Go-kart racing
• Laser tag
• Zip-lining
• Ropes course
• Paintball

How Will You Make Dad Feel Special this Father’s Day?

As you can see, when it comes to getting the family together on Father’s Day, the sky’s the limit. You’re the one that knows him best, so consider this guide a jumping off point. And like we mentioned before, what Dad wants is to spend time with his favorite people in the world. No matter what you plan, if you do it with a little heart, he’s sure to enjoy his day. 

Not only do we have you covered when it comes to ideas for things to do on Father’s Day, but in case you do want to get him a little something extra we’ve also got your back. Check out the Swanky Badger gift collection. From personalized wallets to whiskey decanter sets he’ll love, Swanky Badger makes meaningful gifts that he’ll cherish for years to come.