Good Housekeeping | Apr 24, 2024
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Another Father’s Day, another opportunity to show Dad how much you love and appreciate him with a gift that will knock his socks off and a day full of fun that he’s sure to enjoy. While finding the perfect gift can easily be achieved with one of our Father’s Day gift guides (like, top first Father’s Day gifts and ideas you can score last-minute), figuring out what to do on June 16 can be a bit trickier. Sure, every dad is one of a kind, but there’s certainly some overlap when it comes to their favorite hobbies and things to do when they have some time off and are looking for some relaxing fun. And if you’re looking to change it up from the standard dinner and drinks you usually do to celebrate your favorite guy, then look no further than our list of fun Father’s Day activities set to impress any Dad — even the stubborn ones who might grumble in protest of the big day dedicated to dads.
Take advantage of the warm summer weather and hit the pool or host a bonfire and s’mores night with the kids. Destress with the spouse in a rage room or break out some of your favorite tunes and have a karaoke night where Dad gets to pay tribute to his favorite songs. And if your present to Dad is a day all to himself to unwind, there are some awesome ideas he can enjoy alone, too.
Keep scrolling for our favorite ideas for Father’s Day.
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Pile the family into the car, crank up the tunes and take the scenic route. Whether your destination is the beach or your dad’s favorite national park, this trip will definitely create a lasting memory.
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End his Father’s Day on a sweet note by roasting marshmallows over the fire. As people are eating their s’mores, ask everyone in the circle to share their fondest memories with Dad or Grandpa. It’ll make this moment even sweeter.
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Even if you’d rather spend your Sunday lounging on the couch, Father’s Day is a time to do whatever your dad loves most — even if it’s working out. Skip the gym and hit the trails or jog along the water. Or if the weather isn’t in your favor, let him choose an at-home workout that you can do right in your living room.
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Since Father’s Day falls on a Sunday, there may not be too many in-person cooking classes to attend. If you find that to be true, sign up for a virtual cooking class instead. Introduce your dad to some of the world’s finest cuisines with one of Airbnb’s online experiences or stick with something more traditional, like an air fryer-focused class taught by Craftsy experts.
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Crank up his favorite tunes, pass the mic, and watch him bring down the house with his serious karaoke skills. Bonus points if your dad busts out his dance moves while he’s on stage a.k.a. your living room floor.
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The best way to start off Father’s Day? A table full of Dad’s favorite brunch recipes, of course. Wow him with an all-star spread of waffles, eggs and fruit — and don’t forget the coffee and OJ!
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This year, let Dad lean into his competitive side during a family game night by playing classics like Jenga, charades or Monopoly. If Dad loves trivia and brain-teasers, you can even host a family trivia night!
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For all wine-loving dads, the ultimate treat on Father’s Day is an at-home wine-tasting event. Complete a selection of the best wines with a beautiful spread of cheeses and grapes, along with a scorecard to keep track of all the wines he’s tasting.
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Encourage everyone in the family to get creative by making crafts fit for the holiday. While you can always go for something that’ll double as a gift for Dad, we’re pretty sure he’d love to get his hands in the paint, too.
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Here’s an easy way to impress Dad on his special day: Pack up some sandwiches, grab a blanket and then head out to your backyard for a family picnic. He’ll definitely enjoy the sunshine and some fun backyard games, especially with all his favorite people around him.
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Dads deserve some pampering, too! Turn your home into a relaxing spa by lighting candles and playing soothing music. If you or your kids aren’t great at giving messages, give him a gift basket full of self-care goodies, including shaving creams, lotions and soaps.
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Father’s Day is best celebrated with family and amazing food, so fire up the grill to make a delicious meal that everyone can enjoy. Take the opportunity to learn a thing or two from Dad, or simply cheer him on as he serves plate after plate of juicy burgers, grilled veggies and more.
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We’re sure if you ask Dad how he’d like to spend Father’s Day, golf will most certainly be at the top of the list. Make his wish come true with tee time at his favorite golf course. Feel free to go the extra mile by organizing his gear ahead of time and arranging his transportation.
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Give Dad what he really wants on Father’s Day: a nice dinner served with a glass of his favorite bourbon. Practice the recipe ahead of time to ensure that you can sear the steak just right.
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Since drive-in movie theaters are hard to come by, set up an outdoor screening in your own backyard. Shine a projector against a blank wall and pick one of Dad’s favorite movies to watch as a family.
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The only way to celebrate the “official day of summer” on June 20? With a fun poolside hang the day before of course! Give him his own pool float or let him knock out his first summer read — it’s his choice!
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Whether you head to a campsite for the weekend or decide to set up a tent in your own backyard, Dad will love roasting marshmallows and telling scary stories around the fire.
GARETH WEBB
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If your dad is a history buff, take him to visit a local museum. And even if history isn’t really his thing, there are tons of museums with interactive exhibits that are sure to be fun for the entire family.
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Make June 18 a day to remember with a friendly go-kart race that might just turn competitive after a few laps. Pick a partner or ride solo, but definitely give Dad a head start — it’s his special day after all.
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If Dad’s a history buff, look for historic sites that offer tours. The experience will give him an opportunity to tell you all about his favorite leaders and events, making the day even more special.
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A buzzing car show will add a unique touch to your Dad’s day. Spend time looking at his favorite models through the years and discover new favorites together.
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Whether it’s food trucks, a BBQ battle or Smorgasburg, a food festival or food market is the perfect activity for any foodie Dad. You can choose to browse and taste multiple kinds of cuisine or focus in on his favorite!
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Whether your dad loves jazz or country music, finding him a live performance to attend on Father’s Day is sure to warm his heart.
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Who doesn’t love ice cream? Treat your dad to his favorite flavor and maybe even grab a pint for him to take home.
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The entire family can get some exercise with a bike ride on Father’s Day. Scope out Dad’s favorite trails ahead of time and maybe even plan for a picnic once you reach your destination.
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Nothing will make a dad smile more than seeing his child perform an original song or dance. If you want to make it really special, add in some lyrics that will let your dad know how special he is to you.
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Take your DIY crafts up a notch and take a pottery class with your favorite guy. You all can laugh over the wacky creations you make or create something pretty enough to showcase at home.
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Allow your dad to blow off a little steam through the cathartic exercise of breaking things at a rage room. By the time you finish ripping through the room of various items, you’ll both feel more relaxed.
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Your dad might say he doesn’t want anything this year, but that could change if you let him pick out exactly what he wants during a mini shopping spree.
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If you want to create a truly memorable experience, take your dad out for a couple of hours of axe throwing. You both can take turns seeing who can hit the bullseye.
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Bowling always brings family together. This Father’s Day, you could split up into teams — like parents against kids — to see who has the best form.
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Father’s Day is as good a day as any to create lasting memories. Grab a few pillows, couch cushions and blankets to create the ultimate fort, perfect for reading stories or sparking a pillow fight.
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Have your dad channel his inner detective when you take him to an escape room. As you all comb through clues in order to solve the puzzle and escape, you are bound to learn more about each other.
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Free-falling through the air might not be for everyone. But if your dad is a self-proclaimed risk taker, then this might be just the activity for him.
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If your dad has a competitive streak then he’s sure to have fun navigating a mud-filled obstacle course. You can even set a wager on who will finish first.
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Get in a workout and maybe even a new hobby but taking him to a rock climbing class. It’ll give him an adrenaline rush without being too dangerous.
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Allow your dad to relax this Father’s Day and hire a private chef to take care of the cooking.
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Break out the paint and open a bottle of your dad’s favorite wine. While you both attempt to paint a tree, a vase or a dreamy landscape at sunset, you can bond over your artistic skills or simply share a laugh at the final product.
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Celebrate your dad’s inner gamer by putting together a vintage arcade for him. All you’ll need to do is to rent out the machines for his favorite childhood games, like Pac-Man and Sonic. Once you set them up, watch his inner child come alive.
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Has your dad always dreamed of tearing down a NASCAR track at top speed? You can make that dream a reality by surprising him with a NASCAR racing experience where he can either ride with a trained professional or take to the asphalt all on his own. Whichever experience you land on, your dad is sure to have a Father’s Day he’ll never forget.
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Even the handiest of Dads seem to have that one project that they’ve “been meaning to get to.” This Father’s day, let your old man take a load off while you take care of whatever lingering tasks he may have cluttering his to-do list. Trust us, you’ll be able to see the appreciation all over his face.
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If your dad already has a green thumb, why not join him in his natural habitat? You may be surprised to find yourself bonding over tomato plants and fresh herbs. And if his garden is far along you may even be able to create a meal with what you pick.
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If your dad has been coaching you in sports for most of your life, now is the time to see if he’s still got it. Challenge your dad to a pick up game. You could even get the entire family involved, making it siblings versus parents and set a wager for the prize. What ensues is sure to create an epic memory.
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Even if you think you already have a grasp on everything there is to know about your dad, there’s so much more to his story. Take a walk down memory lane by flipping through his photo albums and school memorabilia. Then take time to trace your dad’s family tree to get a deeper look at your family’s past and present.
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Bring the Olympic spirit to your backyard by organizing an afternoon event with cornhole, horseshoes, croquet and other lawn games. If your dad has a competitive side, keep score at each game and tally up the points at the end to name a winner.
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Cross one more thing off your dad’s bucket list: Track down all of the Marvel movies — some are available to stream, others must be rented — and cozy up on the couch for an all-day movie marathon. There are 24 Marvel movies in total, so it may take a few weeks to get through them all.
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Rent a boat with Boatsetter for the morning, afternoon or evening, so you all can spend quality time together on the water. Some rentals also come with the option to rent jetskis, which are perfect for dads who want to get active. Whatever you settle on, make sure the entire family remembers to apply a generous amount of sunscreen.
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On Father’s Day, serve Dad a refreshing pint of his favorite brewski. For the ultimate treat, plan a craft beer tasting with an assortment of ales, lagers and IPAs from local breweries. He might just find a new favorite and you’ll be the one to thank!
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