25 Father’s Day Activities Your Dad Will Appreciate
Updated: Dec. 09, 2022For every kind of dad, there's a perfect Father's Day activity to enjoy and remember forever. From golf to Go-Karts, find fun Father's Day ideas here.
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Celebrate Dad with these Father’s Day activities
You’ve gotten Dad the perfect Father’s Day gift and Father’s Day card, complete with a great Father’s Day message or quote, but what to do on Father’s Day itself? Father’s Day, celebrated on Sunday, June 19, in the United States in 2022, usually brings nice weather and plenty of opportunities for family fun. Whether you opt to spend some quality time just you and Dad or get the whole family involved, here are some great Father’s Day activities for you and your favorite guy.
Make him breakfast in bed
Breakfast in bed doesn’t have to be for just Mom! Make Dad feel special by bringing him some of his favorite brekky as well. Make a morning of it by giving him his gifts while he feasts too—though this will set the bar high for Father’s Day activities for the rest of the day! You can even write one of these funny Father’s Day quotes on his napkin to make him laugh at breakfast.
Watch a movie
Whether you and your dad love a side-splitting comedy or a good tearjerker, there are plenty of good flicks to watch on Father’s Day. End the day with a movie night, or if you don’t have the best weather, opt for a movie marathon! From family-friendly classics like Finding Nemo to powerhouse action dads like Liam Neeson in Taken, this list of Father’s Day movies has something for everyone.
Go fishing
Fishing is one of the most classic Father’s Day activities for a reason. When else do you get to stand side by side and catch up on life while you enjoy the outdoors? Try this neat fishing trick: Use WD-40 to spray your lures. It attracts fish and masks human odor that can scare them off. Make him laugh while out on the peaceful waters with these dad jokes.
Test your Go-Kart skills
Forget another gift of golf shirts. Take Dad for a thrill ride. Set him up with a speedway, a Go-Kart, and a helmet, and watch Dad go crazy with excitement. Look for a nearby Go-Kart track and spend the day zipping around. By the way, if you want to make your dad laugh this Father’s Day, check out these funny Father’s Day gifts!
Challenge him to paintball
Let Dad explore his inner warrior. Nothing says “I love you” like a friendly little battle of the generations. You can also fill out one of these printable Father’s Day cards that will warm his heart.
Taste some beers
Make Dad’s day by toasting him at a local beer- or wine-tasting event. There’s even a no-brainer built-in gift: Bring home some of the day’s best bottles so he’ll remember the day for weeks to come. You two can also look at funny Father’s Day memes while sipping on your brews.
Practice your swing
They say golf is a good walk spoiled, but not when you spend 18 holes worth of quality time with Dad. You can hire a PGA instructor for a series of golf lessons for you and your dad—a great excuse to hang out together, pick up tips from a pro, and improve your game. The possibilities for golf-related Father’s Day activities are endless—head to the driving range, or play some mini-golf if that’s more your (or his) speed. This could even be a last-minute Father’s Day gift!
Do crafts
Especially if you’re stuck inside this year (who knows what June will be like?!), why not try out a craft project? Go beyond the generic “colorful paper ties” you made in preschool and check out this whole list of Father’s Day crafts you can make in one day—they could even double as memorable homemade Father’s Day gifts. These are adorable, funny, and make great keepsakes—and plenty are useful too! If you’re doing a craft project with your stepdad, you could make it extra special by putting one of these heartwarming stepdad quotes on it. And if you’re stumped about what to get your stepdad for Father’s Day, these stepdad Father’s Day gifts will make him smile!
Build something
If Dad is handy, get out the nails, sander, and paint and see if there’s some kind of construction project you could tackle together. Of course, we’re not talking about annoying, run-of-the-mill home improvement projects here (unless you and Dad really do love that, of course!). Work on building a bird house (or if you want to go really big, a tree house!), paint a piece of furniture a cool color, or maneuver your way through another DIY home project. Or if you’d rather (and we wouldn’t blame you), work on a LEGO or K’NEX project.
Catch a game
Tickets to his favorite sporting event are pretty much always a winning idea. Many stadiums have Father’s Day deals, so check if your local teams are offering discounted tickets. Want to be the favorite child? Surprise Dad by splurging on season tickets.
Go to a car show
Is your dad an absolute car nut? Contact your local car clubs to find a nearby show of amazing vintage hot rods or the latest electric car. Bond over stories of what it was like for him to drive his first car—or laugh over what he went through to teach you how to drive.
Take a history lesson
Check with your local library or historical society and ask if tours are available in their stacks and archives. Many organizations will be happy to show you a behind-the-scenes look at your town’s history.
Play board games
Here’s another great one for staying home—but we think it’s a great Father’s Day activity for any year! Does Dad love strategy board games? Or is he more of a classic board games guy? Ask what his favorite game was growing up and try playing it to see if he’s still got it!
See a concert
What’s playing nearby? Check local listings for an outdoor music festival or concert your pop might appreciate. Remember snacks and cold water, plus a clean blanket. Or just head to a great local restaurant where there’ll be live music! You can even include the tickets in a lovely Father’s Day gift basket made specially for your dad.
Visit an art installation
Many local art museums have dad-friendly works to look at, but you can also go quirky and try a specialized collection or gallery that he might find more interesting. Or get creative: You could check out a cool art installation in a nearby city instead of doing a more traditional museum.
Take a cooking class
You can treat dad to dinner anytime. Instead, sign up for a cooking class and experiment in the kitchen. Sur La Table and Whole Foods, as well as your own local grocery store, are good places to start your search. This can be a great gift a daughter gives her dad—and check out these other Father’s Day gifts from daughters too.
Plan a trip
From the coast of Maine to Florida’s Key West, June is a great month to get away—especially if you live in an area where it’s just starting to feel like summer. Whether you plan a day or weekend getaway, take a scenic road trip or make it the first beach day of the summer.
Lend a hand
He’s given you so much, now it’s time for you both to give back. Turn spending time with Dad into one of the most meaningful Father’s Day activities out there: helping those in your community. Consider a Habitat for Humanity build, a Red Cross blood donation, or a volunteer shift at a food bank. Check out these other creative ways to volunteer.
Rent his favorite car
Has your dad always dreamed of driving a Tesla? A Ferrari? Rent one for a couple hours and take a spin together. This is certainly a Father’s Day activity he will never forget.
Go on a bike ride
If your dad loves the outdoors, plan a bike ride! Take him to his favorite park, or try a trail neither of you has been to before, and go exploring. The weather is perfect around Father’s Day, so he’ll enjoy the fresh air. Not to mention, he’ll be enjoying it with his kid.
Listen to some old records
Let your dad choose the music. He’ll feel nostalgic dusting off his favorite records and listening to some of his old favorites. Even better, he’ll love sharing his past with his children. It may even spark some stories that will help you get to know your dad on a deeper level. Now that you have some inspiration for your Father’s Day activities, don’t forget to get a gift for Grandpa!